Kansas City, Kan. ? What a difference a week makes for Kasey Kahne.

He captured the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series pole for the Banquet 400 on Friday, turning a lap in 30.73 seconds at the Kansas Speedway just five days after wrecking his car at the Dover International Speedway on Sunday.

“Sunday I had hit another car. I was devastated,” Kahne said. “Today, I’ve been able to think about it for a week. Things change.”

Finishing behind Kahne was Scott Riggs at 30.348 seconds, Jimmie Johnson at 30.528, Brian Vickers at 30.538 and rookie J.J. Yeley at 30.543.

But Kahne became the star of the day, traveling at 178.377 mph.

Friday served as the fifth pole of the season and 11th of his career for Kahne.

He has won three times from the pole this season.

All of his wins have come in the Dodge Charger he drove Friday, and such prior history could bode well for him this weekend.

“My car felt great,” he said. “Can I win it on Sunday? I hope so.”

While Kahne will garner the national headlines, a rookie Kansan driver, Clint Bowyer, made an impressive debut. Bowyer, who hails from Emporia, finished sixth with a time of 30.548. Performing in front of his home fans carried special meaning for him.

“That’s a really good start for the weekend,” Bowyer said. “That’s important for me to run good here.”

Kasey Kahne celebrates with his crew after winning the pole for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Banquet 400. Kahne turned a lap at 178.377 mph Friday at Kansas Speedway.

Riggs steered his Dodge Charger to a No. 2 finish above many more-heralded names such as Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Jarrett. His time added to another impressive showing by his Dodge team.

“I’m just proud of the way the guys are coming together,” Riggs said. “The chemistry is building, and everybody is having fun. We’re laughing and joking, and that’s what’s it’s all about.

Johnson also had reason to rejoice. Driving a Chevrolet, he finished third and circled the track at 176.887 miles per hour. He has posted four top-10 starts in five races at Kansas Speedway.

He currently stands eighth in the Chase standings – just ahead of Kahne. Climbing out of that spot to win the Nextel Cup would be difficult, but possible.

“I don’t like the position I’m in, and I don’t want to be in the position I’m in,” Johnson said. “I’ve been there the last few years, with a slow start in the Chase, but it’s not over.”

Like Johnson, pole-winner Kahne said he can still make a strong run for the Nextel Cup. He ranks ninth and is 182 points off of Burton’s lead.

“I know 182 points seems like a lot of points and it is, but we’re just going to do our best the rest of the way and see what happens,” Kahne said. “We’ve got eight races left, and that’s a lot of racing.”