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Ford taking legal action against Kahne? UPDATE:

June 20, 2004 at 12:00 AM
  • Word from Ford sources that Ford Motor Company is reportedly taking legal action against Dodge sensation #9-Kasey Kahne over its contract with Kahne. Kahne, the sport’s hottest rookie, deferred to his agents, Rod Moskowitz and Cary Agajanian. Moskowitz: “We have no comment at this time. Kasey said earlier this year that he has fulfilled all his obligations to Ford, and our position remains the same.” Ford gave Kahne a major break by putting together a Busch package with Robert Yates. That Ford contract contained a clause that allowed Ford, if Kahne were offered a Cup deal by a rival car maker, to keep Kahne if Ford could match that deal with a ride of similar capability. When Dodge’s Ray Evernham offered Kahne the ride Bill Elliott was winning in last fall, Ford appeared unable to match it. Or at least that’s the way the situation was explained at Daytona earlier this year. It’s unclear what Ford’s actions might mean, what situation Dodge and Evernham might now be in, and what might happen next.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-19-2004)
    UPDATE: The latest on Ford’s legal action against Kasey Kahne: Kahne was served with papers when he landed here Thursday, informing him of the suit over breach of contract. Ford apparently only wants to recoup some of its investment in Kahne, 24, not to park him or put him back in a Ford. Part of Kahne’s decision to leave Ford for Dodge and car owner Ray Evernham followed Robert Yates’ decision not to expand to a third Cup team for Kahne, who was driving a Busch car for Yates. The turning point, one source said, could have come last September when Yates put Jason Jarrett in a third Cup car at Talladega instead of Kahne.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-20-2004)