BARKSHIRE BATTLES KAHNE IN IOWA

Though having grown up only fifteen miles from Cup driver Kasey Kahne, rookie Jeff Barkshire had never met him. That all changed in Iowa Sunday where he finally did meet Kahne - on the track - and from lap one to sixty two, the battle for the lead was between the rookie and the star.

Jeff's Centennial Battery Dodge was quick right out of the trailer. "And after a few adjustments during practice, it was awesome," Jeff said. Running only one qualifying lap, he qualified 2nd out of 54 cars, and started the race outside pole with Kahne, in 4th, on his bumper. Jeff took the lead on lap 1 and kept it until Kahne was able to get around him on lap 19. For the next 22 laps it was Jeff's turn to reel Kahne back in, which he succeeded in doing by lap 42 when he made the pass on the outside and took back his lead. Jeff remained in the lead until lap 62 when, while working his way through lap traffic, he was pinched into the wall, knocking the front end out of alignment and leaving him battling an ill handling car for the remainder of the race.

Though they weren't able to get the win, Jeff and his all volunteer team had plenty to feel great about. They had a 2nd place finish in the Camping World Series West, moving them from 6th to 3rd in the Series' overall points standings, won the West's pole award as fastest qualifier, won the award for running the most lead laps in the race and maintained his top position in the rookie standings. But best of all, running a competitive battle for the lead with Kasey Kahne was, in Jeff's words, "The most fun 62 laps I've ever driven!

Next, it's off to compete in the fifth race of the season on June 7th in Erie, Colorado, at the Colorado National Speedway.

Click here to go back to the main news section.

...........................................................................................................................................................