Kasey Kahne has always been a bit of an enigma since entering NASCAR, a baby-faced killer who many have tremendous difficulty taking seriously because of his made for teen magazines looks.  That duly noted, given a competitive car he can more than hold his own with the big boys.  Because he is one, despite looking like the little brother you were saddled with by mom when you went outside to play.

Although his Budweiser sponsorship will always seem incongruous (oh, did Masterfoods trade long term pain for short term gain by casting their sponsorship lot with Kyle Busch instead of #9) given how so much of his fan base is far more likely to drink Kool-Aid -- the real kind, not the metaphor for swallowing stupidity without question -- than anything from a keg, behind the wheel Kahne is a man's man.  He has no hesitancy to force the issue when need be, but overall his driving style is rooted firmly in the Jeff Burton school of patience.  Take what's provided, don't get silly, keep your equipment in one piece so when the opportunity for advancing your position becomes available you're there to seize the moment.  When he has the wheels, something Gillett Evernham is starting to provide for him, as was witnessed yesterday during which he turned Pocono into his private playground Kahne can make positive things happen.

Given how teams and drivers ebb and flow during the year, it's a tad premature to ink Kahne in as a title contender.  However, he can't be overlooked.  Should GEM keep its act together, Kahne has a shot.  A very good shot.  Never mind his looking like he should be doing interviews for Tiger Beat instead of NASCAR tech talk shows.  Kahne is the Dodge boy who's showing the way on how to be a man.  My late father, who was a Chrysler man from first to last back when auto manufacturer brand loyalty meant something, would be proud of the young man.  Assuming he could get my mother to stop telling him how cute he was long long enough to get a word in edgewise.

First, the starting lineup:

Did Not Qualify: # 96 JJ Yeley

The greatest pre-race decision of this race will be whether to order the office-sized cube of coffee from Starbucks or simply brew a few extra pots at home.  Action at Pocono consists of whoever makes the best moves on which member of the opposite sex in the infield, with an added bonus of today being trying not to drop from heat prostration.  If you're going to be bored, at least be miserable along with it.

Kyle Busch's weekend adventure has thus far been a dud.  Today he'll start at the back of the field due to wiping out his primary car during practice yesterday.  Oops.

Favorites?  At this track, somewhat difficult to call.  Kurt Busch has enjoyed success here.  Certainly Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be motivated today if for no other reason than to end the series of text messages he's been receiving since yesterday evening, all of which have the same content: "Hey boss -- got trophy?  Signed, BK."

As was the case yesterday, I'm out and about today, this will probably be stopping by the comments area infrequently.  Don't let that stop you from chatting it up.