Kasey Kahne Can’t Wait Until 2011, Refuses to Drive Cars That Are Beneath Him

When Kasey Kahne stepped out of his trashed Budweiser Ford on Saturday, there was no way he was going back into it.

Kahne said that he threw up following Saturday’s race and felt like he had no need to get back in a racecar that didn’t meet his standards.

It’s the third time this season that Kahne’s Richard Petty Motorsports brakes had failed him, and the second time in just three races. Kahne had reportedly refused to drive the car afterward and J.J Yeley finished the race, finishing in the 38^th position.

“I just lost it. I was mad. I came into the race thinking we had a shot to win, thinking we had a good car in practice, we had a good shot,” Kahne said. “It went green. We were a little bit tight, but still actually passed cars and really felt good.

“And then boom, my brakes are gone. [My feet goes straight to the floor]. It bottoms out. It’s a joke.”

The accident came just before an altercation with an RPM crew member who told Kahne that he needed to start doing his part.

“I was told...to start doing my part, right after the race, and I told him he needs to do his part,” Kahne said. “I mean, I can’t control the issues. I don’t know how many parts I’ve broken, how many shifter handles, control arms, brakes. If I really thought about it, I could come up with all kinds of stuff.

“I can’t control that as a driver. I’m doing my part. I just need the car.”

Kahne has clearly burned a bridge with RPM and will leave them at the end of the season. He’ll join Team Red Bull for a one-year near-sabbatical before moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012.

Robbie Loomis, the competition director for RPM was more sympathetic to Kahne.

“Kasey wasn’t feeling good, and we’re trying to keep the car in the top 20 in owner points, so we put Yeley in there,” said Loomis. “We’re thankful to JJ for doing that.”

Yeley was the race’s first DNF and finished in 43^rd for Tommy Baldwin Racing.