Race Report.(Competition)

In seven career starts Kasey Kahne has been part of two of the eight closest finishes in NASCAR history. He was on the losing end both times.

His latest almost was in the Samsung/Radio Shack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. The Cup rookie went from eighth to second in the final 20 laps but lost to Elliott Sadler by 0.028 second, about half a car-length. Kahne lost to Matt Kenseth by 0.010 second at Rockingham in February. He was also second to Kenseth at Las Vegas in March, by 3.426 seconds. Kahne dominated at Texas, leading six times for 148 laps, twice as often and 100 more laps than anyone.

"It's hard to be disappointed with second, but I am, because we had the best car," he said. "We had them covered, but couldn't get back to the front in time. Aero push was a huge factor; that's why I couldn't pass Elliott. I needed another two or three laps but didn't get them. I'm tired of running second by a tenth or a hundredth."

Kahne and Sadler might have finished behind Jeff Gordon if Gordon's primary battery hadn't died while leading on lap 307 of 334. He had led the previous 46 laps and seemed capable of his first win since last fall at Atlanta. When Gordon slowed, Sadler passed and led the rest of the way over Kahne, Gordon (with backup power), Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rusty Wallace. It was Sadler's first win this year and the second of his career, three years and 109 starts after his first at Bristol.

"I knew he'd ...