Nextel Cup Series

PERSONAL Birthdate: April 10, 1980 Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. Resides: Huntersville, N.C. Marital Status: Single Children: None Hobbies: Racing open-wheel cars, working out, snowmobiling, wakeboarding.

HIGHLIGHTS 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Four poles, five runner-up finishes in rookie season First career NASCAR Busch Series win came in 2003 finale at Homestead 2000 USAC Midget champion 2000 USAC Silver Bullet Series Rookie of the Year

YEAR-BY-YEAR NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES RECAP 2004 Finished 13th in series points in rookie campaign. Captured four series poles – third highest total of the season. Earned first pole in only his third career start (Las Vegas). He finished second for the second consecutive week. Recorded three top-five finishes in his first four career starts. Secured third runner-up finish in six weeks at Texas. Had string of four top-10 finishes, including three top fives, in five races in July and August. Missed qualifying for the “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup” by 28 points. Ended the season on a strong note, compiling three top fives in the final four races.

PREVIOUS RACING HISTORY After spending his entire racing career in various open-wheel series, Kahne spent 2002 and 2003 in the NASCAR Busch Series, making excellent progress along the way. He drove for Robert Yates Racing during his 2002 rookie campaign, running 20 of 34 events and finishing 33rd in the championship. He moved to Akins Motorsports in 2003 and finished seventh in the championship. His season was highlighted by his first career win – which came in the season finale at Homestead – and 14 top-10 finishes, including four among the top five. He also earned his first career NASCAR Busch Series pole, earning it at Michigan in August. Prior to moving over to stock cars, Kahne was considered one of the premier young open-wheel talents. His vast accomplishments included being the 2000 USAC Midget champion and the 2000 USAC Silver Bullet Series Rookie of the Year. In 2001, he also made his way to the Toyota Atlantic Series and Formula Ford 2000 Series, where he ran limited schedules before moving on to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2002.

NOTEWORTHY Hired by long-time motorsports car owner, Steve Lewis, who has fielded cars for Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart to compete in the USAC Sprint, Midget and Silver Crown Series during the 2000 season. Won the “Night before the 500” Classic at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2000 (teammate, Ryan Newman, finished second) and 2001, becoming the first driver to post back-to-back victories in the annual event since Jeff Gordon did so in 1989 and 1990.