Kahne forced into backup car after practice wreck

Hendrick Motorsports crew members push Kasey Kahne's damaged car back to his garage

Getty Images for NASCAR

Representatives of his sponsor might not consider it totaled, but the damage was enough to send Kasey Kahne into a backup car for Thursday's Gatorade Duels.

Kahne, in the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, was spun by Juan Pablo Montoya in the middle of a small pack of cars. It tore up the front end and did some engine damage.

"I was right behind the No. 24 (Jeff Gordon) and we were going pretty good," Kahne said. "(Montoya) got a big run and came up and just barely touched me from behind and just instantly I was just spinning."

In certain positions on the track, depending upon aerodynamics, the slightest tap can be devastating. Montoya "just hit me in the wrong spot at the wrong time," Kahne said.

He said "our backup car is just as good. The problem is that we don't have another one after that."

Because of the possibility of such accidents, only 25 drivers – basically half the drivers in today's qualifying event – took part in the second practice session.

The fastest lap of the day was turned by Matt Kenseth, at 200.853, while Aric Almirola had a 199.712 mph lap in the second session. The day's best consecutive 10-lap average belonged to Greg Biffle, at 199.259.