Kasey Kahne, taking over for Bill Elliott in the #9 Dodge has neither the time nor the will to engage Ford Racing officials who claim he reneged on their development deal. Kahne insists he fulfilled his contractual obligations before leaving Akins Motorsports to take over the semi-retired Bill Elliott’s ride at Evernham Motorsports. “I’ve done everything for Ford I needed to do for them at the end of last year,” Kahne said. “As far as I see it, there is nothing going on but me driving for Dodge.” Jan. 6, however, during the first of two test sessions at Daytona International Speedway, Ford Racing Technology operations manager Greg Specht still insisted differently. “He’s still currently under contract with Ford,” said Specht, whose company had no Nextel Cup plans for Kahne until at least 2005. Retorted Kahne: “He obviously doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” The question is whether Ford will attempt to make a point with Kahne.(in part from the St Petersburg Times)(1-14-2004)
