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Has it ever happened to you? Have a ever landed a job you knew you wouldn’t keep? This observer has, and if you have, then you know it gets tempting to mail it in, especially when you know the next big thing career-wise is right around the corner.

It takes a certain amount of character to strive for excellence in a short-tem gig, but that’s what Kasey Kahne has done in his one year run at Red Bull. He gets props from this corner of NASCAR nation for earning his soon-to-be former employer a victory in his next-to-last race with the organization.

Suffice it to say, Kahne fans saw it coming. If you knew that the Enumclaw, Washington native had the best average finish in this year’s Chase behind Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart, then congratulations, you get an “A” for the day. a commendable run for the four team considering all the early season misfortune that left Kahne on the outside looking in for the 2011 Chase. If you exclude Martinsville, Kahne has finished in the top ten in every race since New Hampshire, including a third place run at Texas last Sunday.

A look at the NASCAR Cup standings shows Carl Edwards leading the way. Kevin Harvick is second. And lo and behold Dale Earnhardt, Jr. sits third, the highest ranked car out of Hendrick Motorsports.

Junior Nation is rejoicing after three years with their man once again having a legitimate shot to win each week. Yet, I am looking for the appropriate tip of the hat to 2011 crew chief Steve Letarte.

Victory Lane is the Promised Land. Granted Earnhardt has not visited there since 2008, but his performance is leading the Hendrick brigade.

RICHMOND, Va._ The Junior Nation finally has some relief. After years of struggles, disappointments and winless seasons, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is third in points, 19 marks out of the lead and heading to a track he has three wins on. The NASCAR world seems to be on the brink of salvation.

Just don’t ask Dale Earnhardt Jr. if he is back at the top of his game. Despite having a better season than he had in all of 2009, Earnhardt Jr. knows he has made strides but is not ready to say he is back just yet.

Amid the reports of high gas prices, high unemployment and high deficits, the nation can use some good news. It doesn’t matter if you live in this great nation we call the U.S. of A., “NASCAR Nation” or “Junior Nation,” we can all use a feel good story, and a return to contending form by one Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. could fill the bill quite well, thank you very much.

The facts won’t be ignored: it’s a poorly kept secret Junebug hasn’t seen Victory Lane in Sprint Cup competition since June 15, 2008, now over 100 races ago. Of course, you haters will be quick to point out that win was fuel strategy win at Michigan International Speedway (as if somehow that is less of a win). Prior to that, his last win was at Richmond in 2006. What’s more he’s come off of what can only be described as disastrous runs in each of the last two seasons, finishing 25th in the 2009 season and 21st last year. These are not results befitting of NASCAR’s most popular driver, are certainly not what he nor car owner Rick Hendrick envisioned when Earnhardt left DEI at the conclusion of 2007.

One good race, and you’re lucky. Two good finishes back-to-back could still qualify as a mirage- but five top 10s and third in points after eight races? There may be reasons for Junior’s legion of fans to believe he is relevant once again.

NASCAR’s silly season is always full of twists and turns, but this year is more complicated than most. Earlier in the year, it was announced Kasey Kahne would leave Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of 2010 and would be driving the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. The current driver of the No. 5, Mark Martin is slated to drive the car for the 2011 season, while Kahne will have to find a ride for one year before climbing behind the wheel of the No. 5.

Once the announcement was made official, team owner Rick Hendrick vowed it was his job to find Kahne a ride for 2011, but as time has gone on it has seemed Martin would be the odd man out at HMS. Various rumors have put Martin behind the wheel of various Hendrick-affiliated teams, James Finch’s No. 09 car, but the latest has linked the veteran driver to the Red Bull Racing team.

While the media has speculated as to where Martin will land in 2011, he has been very clear as to what car he will drive.