Citizen Kahne, Rosebud Never Looked so Good

Orson Welles first revealed the meaning and the relevance of "Rosebud" in his classic 1941 film production of Citizen Kane. Sixty eight years later, another Kane, Kasey Kahne, was able to experience his own "Rosebud Moment" when he won his first race of the year and the tenth of his career at Infineon Raceway's Toyota/Save Mart 350, the annual Sonoma California slugfest that rarely disappoints those who thrive on cocktails made with world class wines blended carefully with just a touch of high octane fuel.
The odds of winning were against Kahne from the start and the smart money was on the likes of Stewart, Gordon (pick one: Jeff or Robby) "Shrub", Ambrose or Montoya. The odds were also stacked against RPM (Richard Petty Motorsports) who hadn't fielded a winner for at least ten years. A decade of winless seasons, at least for a moment, were forgotten and supplanted by distant glories of the past, infused with fond memories of a family owned racing dynasty that began in Level Cross, North Carolina some sixty years ago when "The King" stood alongside Kahne in Victory Lane, a winner once again. Three RPM cars in the final top ten were reason to celebrate in a way most thought they would never see in their lifetimes; Richard Petty enjoying a sip of 2005 Bennett Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in Victory Lane. When asked what he thought about Kahne's victory, Richard Petty replied, "He's just doin' what he's supposed to do."

Surprising as it was, Kahne added his name to the growing list of drivers who aren’t known for their road racing abilities and he was the fifth different driver to win the race in as many years at Infineon.

Kahne held off road course master Tony Stewart through a succession of five late-race double-file restarts, the final one occurring after Scott Speed spun out on lap 108. After starting from the rear because of an engine change, Marcos Ambrose chased the top two finishers to the checkered flag to claim third place, matching the best results of his Sprint Cup Series career. In his post race press conference, Tony Stewart said "He (Kahne) just never made a mistake all the way to the end. He did an awesome job over the last twenty laps, he never missed a corner".

Jimmie Johnson recovered from a pit-road speeding penalty to finish fourth. Denny Hamlin, who led for 33 laps, came home fifth. Juan Pablo Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon and Elliot Sadler rounded out the remainder of the top ten.

It was a special race with a surprising outcome that will be remembered for many reasons. Perhaps the one most surprised was Kasey Kahne himself, who had this to say about the Toyota/Save Mart 350 and Richard Petty: "To see Richard Petty in the Winners Circle with me today…that was big. I don't think coming in here today he expected me to win…I don't think anybody did."

Photography by J.R. Andres, Deborah A. Hepper and Dwight Domonkos