Late Tuesday afternoon the NASCAR-world was abuzz with rumors that Kasey Kahne, who is presently driving a Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports, has been signed to drive for the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports.
In a press release Richard Petty Motorsports announced that driver “Kasey Kahne has informed the team he will not renew his contract at the conclusion of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
“Kasey is a very talented driver and I have enjoyed watching him race. We all wish him nothing but the best and hope he succeeds in anything he chooses to do,” said team owner Richard Petty.
“Drivers like Kasey Kahne are the very reason we got into this sport. Kasey has helped us get to where we are today,” George Gillett, owner of Richard Petty Motorsports said. “We wish him well in his future however we have the rest of this season to race together and we’re looking forward to a successful remainder of the year.”
Mark Martin is currently signed to race, in the #5 car, through the end of 2011, but some rumors have Kahne in that seat next year. In the meantime, the Charlotte Observer is reporting that the deal commences in 2012 which makes more sense in view of Martin’s current contract.
One alternative, rumored, possibility is a one-year deal at Stewart-Haas Racing which has more than an engine and chassis deal with Hendrick.
Kasey Kahne started with Ray Evernham Motorsports in 2004 and won six races in 2006 with in a Dodge. Winless in 2007 but he had two wins in 2008. In 2008 Evernham became part of the George Gillett-owned GEM Racing.
In January last year Petty Enterprises merged into the team becoming Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) where Kahne also had two wins in a Dodge.
For 2010 RPM has become a Ford team with a working alliance with Roush Fenway Racing.
In a press release Richard Petty Motorsports announced that driver “Kasey Kahne has informed the team he will not renew his contract at the conclusion of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
“Kasey is a very talented driver and I have enjoyed watching him race. We all wish him nothing but the best and hope he succeeds in anything he chooses to do,” said team owner Richard Petty.
“Drivers like Kasey Kahne are the very reason we got into this sport. Kasey has helped us get to where we are today,” George Gillett, owner of Richard Petty Motorsports said. “We wish him well in his future however we have the rest of this season to race together and we’re looking forward to a successful remainder of the year.”
Mark Martin is currently signed to race, in the #5 car, through the end of 2011, but some rumors have Kahne in that seat next year. In the meantime, the Charlotte Observer is reporting that the deal commences in 2012 which makes more sense in view of Martin’s current contract.
One alternative, rumored, possibility is a one-year deal at Stewart-Haas Racing which has more than an engine and chassis deal with Hendrick.
Kasey Kahne started with Ray Evernham Motorsports in 2004 and won six races in 2006 with in a Dodge. Winless in 2007 but he had two wins in 2008. In 2008 Evernham became part of the George Gillett-owned GEM Racing.
In January last year Petty Enterprises merged into the team becoming Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) where Kahne also had two wins in a Dodge.
For 2010 RPM has become a Ford team with a working alliance with Roush Fenway Racing.