Notebook: Kahne staying out of 2011 discussions

By Reid Spencer

Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(July 24, 2010)

INDIANAPOLIS —Kasey Kahne wants no part of discussions about his future.

Kahne’s former team owner, Ray Evernham, stirred the pot Friday by suggesting that Mark Martin will step aside at Hendrick Motorsports to make room for Kahne, who is the heir apparent to the No. 5 Chevrolet that Martin currently drives.

“In my opinion, listening to everything that’s going on, I think you’ll see Mark at some point realize that Rick Hendrick’s been very good to him, and they’ve had good success together, and probably the best thing for Hendrick Motorsports is for Mark to make room for Kasey Kahne to come over there,” Evernham, an ESPN analyst, said Friday during a press conference promoting ESPN’s coverage of the final 17 Sprint Cup races.

Martin reacted angrily when reporters questioned him Friday about the substance of Evernham’s remarks. Martin said he felt disrespected and insisted he will drive the No. 5 in 2011.

Kahne said Saturday he had no knowledge of the origin of his former boss’ opinion—and didn’t want to.

“I don’t really care what Ray says,” Kahne said. “I don’t really care what anybody says. (Owner) Rick (Hendrick) told me to stay out of it, and he’ll take care of it, and that’s what I’m doing. Still doing the same thing I was prior to the off week.

“He (Evernham) may know what he’s talking about. He may not. I haven’t talked to Ray. I haven’t talked to Ray in a while. So I don’t know. I just kind of do my thing, and then he does his.”

GORDON HAS SUBS LINED UP

Jimmie Johnson made it through his recent baby watch without having to use standby driver Aric Almirola. But Almirola is back in the mix as a possible replacement for Jeff Gordon, whose wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, is expecting in early August.

Almirola will be ready at Pocono next weekend, should Gordon get the call. And road-course ace Scott Pruett will standing by at Watkins Glen in two weeks if the baby hasn’t arrived by then.

VILLENEUVE MAKES THE SHOW

Jacques Villeneuve hasn’t competed in a Cup race since 2007, but the former Indianapolis 500 winner and Formula One champion found enough speed—barely—to qualify for Sunday’s Brickyard 400.

“We found the missing speed,” said Villeneuve, who is driving Braun Racing’s No. 32 Toyota. “The car was a little nervous, but it was quick enough to get in the show.”

Villeneuve will start 43rd, the final spot. In contrast, one of the other two drivers with a chance to add a Brickyard trophy to an Indy 500 win—Juan Pablo Montoya—starts from the pole. Sam Hornish Jr., who won the 2006 Indianapolis 500, qualified 25th.