Latest news with #KaseyKahne
NBC Sports
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
What drivers said after the All-Star Race, All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway
NOTE: This post will be updated after the conclusion of the All-Star Race, which will begin after 8 p.m. at North Wilkesboro Speedway. ALL-STAR OPEN Carson Hocevar — Winner: 'Yeah, super big for this group, this team. It's great to win, especially being challenged by tires there. I had my hands full. We definitely have to go to work here on our race car because I didn't really like it, but it's a good sign that we didn't like it and we were still pretty quick there. Hopefully we can take advantage of it. I've seen Kasey Kahne win and Dale and others win from the Open and stuff. Maybe we can take that advantage of having this notebook and move forward early and be able to take this Chevy up front.' John Hunter Nemechek — Second: 'We have a shot to go win a million dollars. Hats off to this No. 42 team. We unloaded and we had good two- or three-lap speed, but no longer on pace. Proud of them for the effort they put in yesterday and what they were able to find, and pitting there at that last deal, I knew I couldn't win from where I was at. We came and got two (tires) and that helped us out. Hats off to the whole 42 team. Proud of the effort.' Ryan Preece — 11th after restart box violation: 'It's really nonexistent from inside the car. You can't see it. So I just hooked a hard left going acoss the line, figuring it's in that area. I'm frustrated because if you have a situation like that, put a cone out there so we can see it. Our Ford Mustang was super fast, could run in the way top, get around guys and I think we were the only one that was making some waves. Frusrated, man. We were in position here. Heartbreaking to have a heartbreaking run like that taken away by someone in the (NASCAR scoring) tower.' Shane van Gisbergen — 13th after leading 54 laps from the pole position: 'I don't know whether to smile or cry. It's been a dismal year for us. But I feel like we're getting better every week. This shows it. It was awesome to lead some laps. I was out front driving like a grandma and felt like it was easy. But I still felt like the tires were going to off. We took four. Once I was back there, no grip, and I put myself in some bad spots, too. It was awesome to lead laps. We're getting better.' Noah Gragson — 17th and fan vote winner: 'The fans are the GOATs. It's awesome to be part of this All-Star Race. Thank God for that Open Race, because I feel like we got the balance fixed. ... It means a lot. I'm very grateful to have all of the support from the fans and I feel like we've got a pretty good race car. It's such a cool atmosphere here and such a cool experience. I'm very lucky to be able to be a part of it.'
Newsweek
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Kasey Kahne Issues NASCAR Racing Return Update In Texas Appearance
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former NASCAR star Kasey Kahne, who is serving as the honorary pace car driver during the Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway today, has shared an update on a future return to NASCAR racing. The 44-year-old driver stepped away from full-time NASCAR competition in 2018. However, after making a racing return at Rockingham Speedway on April 19 in the Xfinity Series, the driver has now indicated that he would be keen to make another comeback. In the lead up to the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass shared: "Kasey Kahne, who is driving the pace car prior to the start of the race today, said he enjoyed doing Rockingham and would like to do another Xfinity race in the future, maybe that race again next year." Kasey Kahne, who is driving the pace car prior to the start of the race today, said he enjoyed doing Rockingham and would like to do another Xfinity race in the future, maybe that race again next year. — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 4, 2025 Kahne managed a 14th-place finish in Rockingham after a Stage 1 incident. While speaking to the media following the race, Kahne explained: "That was definitely a handful once the car was tore up," Kahne said. "I think we were an easy top-five car prior to that, maybe even better. But yeah, once the front end was tore off the right side, and then just the damage, it was just a battle from that point on. Honorary pace car driver, Kasey Kahne speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 04, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. Honorary pace car driver, Kasey Kahne speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 04, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas."The guys did good — like I thought we did a good job of getting back to the lead lap and just avoiding wrecks, just kind of salvaged the best we could at that point." He added: "Long day. I was hot on Lap 60," Kahne said, referencing the end of Stage 1. "And then we got some ice bags and started drinking more water. Went fine from there, but yeah, I haven't been that hot in a long time. Seven years." Speaking ahead of the race, Kahne noted: "As far as my health, I'm in a good place right now because I don't do this all the time," Kahne said Friday. "I don't do the long races, the (heat). It got worse as soon as the summer months came, and then every week after that just was draining me, those last couple years I did it. I think going into this, it's good." Carson Hocevar has secured pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400 Presented By LIQUI MOLY at Texas Motor Speedway. He reacted to the achievement, stating: "Having the cowboy outfit — what better place to be on the pole. I'm normally so hard on myself, and I didn't think I nailed that lap at all, but I'm super proud of this team. "I'm so proud, because I've never had the No. 1 pit stall, and I've had a lot of issues with pit road and we've had a lot of bad luck. So I finally get the No. 1 pit stall and I'm pumped about that."
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kasey Kahne relishes Rockingham return, salvages top-15 finish
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — Kasey Kahne experienced a little bit of everything and then some in his return to stock car racing. Named one of the 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023, Kahne came back to NASCAR Saturday to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway, his first appearance across the sport's national touring series since 2018. Advertisement RELATED: Race results | At-track photos: Rockingham Driving the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, Kahne qualified fourth and was steadily toward the front of the field until he suffered damage in a Stage 1 crash that hindered his car for the remainder of the 256-lap event. Nonetheless, Kahne trudged through the day and rebounded for a respectable, hard-fought 14th-place finish in the North Carolina Education Lottery 250. 'That was definitely a handful once the car was tore up,' Kahne said. 'I think we were an easy top-five car prior to that, maybe even better. But yeah, once the front end was tore off the right side, and then just the damage, it was just a battle from that point on. The guys did good — like I thought we did a good job of getting back to the lead lap and just avoiding wrecks, just kind of salvaged the best we could at that point.' It was nearly impossible to tell it had been seven years since Kahne's last time driving a stock car. At 45 years old, Kahne continues to race sprint cars through his team, Kasey Kahne Racing, and is competing full-time in the Kubota High Limit Racing series in 2025. His departure from NASCAR, though, was medically necessary. Then 38 years old, Kahne would regularly overheat in the race car and become dehydrated more quickly, he explained in a February episode of Dirty Mo Media's 'Dale Jr. Download.' Advertisement Away from the intense heat and duration of a stock-car cockpit for numerous years, Kahne felt ready to get back behind the wheel, this time with Richard Childress Racing. 'As far as my health, I'm in a good place right now because I don't do this all the time,' Kahne said Friday. 'I don't do the long races, the (heat). It got worse as soon as the summer months came, and then every week after that just was draining me, those last couple years I did it. I think going into this, it's good.' Kasey Kahne races at Rockingham. Good it was for Kahne, who soldiered through the 2 hours, 59 minutes and 38 seconds of Saturday's event with little to no issues despite two red flags and 14 caution periods slowing the race's average speed to 80.377 mph. Advertisement 'Long day. I was hot on Lap 60,' Kahne said, referencing the end of Stage 1. 'And then we got some ice bags and started drinking more water. Went fine from there, but yeah, I haven't been that hot in a long time. Seven years.' Yet Kahne returned to competition just as naturally as he entered it in 2004, when he finished second in a thrilling photo finish at Rockingham behind Matt Kenseth in just Kahne's second career Cup start. 'It's been a long time, and as long as I drove these cars, it was really cool to get back in one and feel it (and) do that whole race weekend because it's just so much different,' Kahne said. 'The sprint car stuff I'm doing now I love, and things happen quick and the night's over and you move on to the next one. But this is just a different type of racing, different type of race weekend. I enjoyed it. I'm glad I did it.' Ultimately, the 18-time Cup Series winner walked away satisfied with his entire experience. Whether Kahne returns for another crack at NASCAR racing — Cup? Xfinity? Trucks? — remains yet to be determined. But the process of being back in the throes of a NASCAR team for a January test, simulator prep work and the motions of a practice, qualifying and race was heartily welcomed by the 2017 Brickyard 400 winner. 'I enjoyed it,' Kahne said. 'I've really looked forward to it and put a lot into it. It was really fun working with the RCR group, going up to their shop, just being part of a NASCAR team again — that was really cool. And all the people at RCR were great. So, yeah, I mean, I enjoyed it. I don't know about more in the future, but I'm really glad I did this. I wish it would have went much different, but I think we were very competitive and had a shot at being somewhere in that top five if things go our way throughout.'
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Kasey Kahne provides big update on future in NASCAR after Rockingham
Kasey Kahne provides big update on future in NASCAR after Rockingham Kasey Kahne is making his long-awaited return to NASCAR this weekend. On Saturday, Kahne will drive the No. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway. It will mark the 45-year-old driver's first event in the sport since he left before the end of the 2018 Cup Series season. Kahne hasn't competed in NASCAR for almost six years; however, could Rockingham be the first of many races that he runs in the future? recently interviewed Kahne ahead of Rockingham, and he didn't close the door on coming back for more events. "This has been a lot of fun to prepare and work on this one particular race,' Kahne told 'I think a lot of that goes to [Richard Childress Racing], the No. 33 team, Andy Street and that whole group. The timing of it has been perfect. I've really enjoyed it. I want to put together the best effort that we possibly can and look at it after that and decide if there's another one that we would like to do or something like that. Putting it all into Rockingham right now. The situation that I'm in is very good. Really enjoying the whole process.' Kahne isn't closing the door for more NASCAR races if his return goes well at Rockingham this weekend. Sure, it may not be a full grind in the Cup Series, but even one to two starts is great for the sport. There will be many eyes on Kahne at Rockingham, and it could either be his true last start or the first of more moving forward. More: Rockingham's future in NASCAR Cup Series receives a big update in 2025
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kasey Kahne enjoying NASCAR return with Richard Childress Racing
After grinding as a full-time NASCAR competitor for nearly two decades, Kasey Kahne needed time away. He was forced to miss the final 11 races of the 2018 Cup Series season with Leavine Family Racing while battling extreme dehydration, which ultimately ended his full-time NASCAR career. It took some time for Kahne to reconnect with the sport he dedicated his life to. But after glancing at the 2025 national series schedules, one race stuck out to the 18-time Cup Series winner. Advertisement MORE: Rockingham schedule | Kahne through the years During the wee hours of Jan. 10, Kahne sent a text message to Keith Rodden, vice president of competition for Richard Childress Racing. He was inquiring about NASCAR's return to Rockingham Speedway. The two former teammates for nearly 15 years immediately picked up the phone to discuss the possibility of Kahne driving an RCR car. Rodden then messaged Danny Lawrence, vice president, alliance operations and director of RCR's Xfinity Series program. The next day, they approached team owner Richard Childress with the idea. Childress signed off on it, welcoming Kahne to RCR for the first time as driver of its No. 33 Chevrolet, if only for one race. An added bonus to Kahne's return to stock cars was a surprise-to-him organizational test on Jan. 28 at the 1-mile tri-oval, which RCR asked Kahne to attend. Kahne found out roughly two weeks before the test that the track had been repaved. Advertisement 'I felt great off the start and was really happy with how quickly it came back [to me],' Kahne told reflecting on the test. 'It doesn't feel like I've been out of NASCAR as long as I have. Time flies, and I'm glad to be back doing this race.' No matter the track surface, Rockingham is a special place for the recently-turned 45-year-old. Kahne made his Xfinity Series debut at 'The Rock' in 2002 for Robert Yates Racing, and two years later, in just his second Cup Series start, he finished second in a photo finish as Matt Kenseth clipped the young gun at the line for the victory. Kahne is also undefeated in Craftsman Truck Series competition in Richmond County, winning the series' return race in 2012. 'I always liked the track from that point on and enjoyed racing there,' Kahne said of why he wanted to return. 'I did [five] Xfinity races, one truck race and one Cup race and was competitive every time I was there. The size of the track, the banking, the flatness in spots — everything that Rockingham brings. It's a cool track that I wanted to race again at.' In preparation for Saturday's North Carolina Education Lottery 250, Kahne has leaned on full-time RCR drivers Austin Hill and Jesse Love, as well as hopping on the simulator, a tool that was in its infancy when Kahne last competed. Advertisement Kahne tested Kyle Busch's chassis from last spring's event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 33 team, led by veteran crew chief Andy Street, is bringing a sister car to the track this weekend that's never been raced before. '[Kahne] is getting the best of the best that we have,' Rodden stated, noting that Kahne was near the top of the leaderboard in his opening laps during the test. 'We're making sure we put our best foot forward. We need to be around the top five at the last pit stop, keep up with the track, make the right adjustments and give him every opportunity to win the race. When we're at our best, that's where we're at with the (Nos.) 2 and 21. We expect the 33 to be there, as well. 'Our intermediate program is better. Bringing someone like him in who had such domination at intermediates for a long time, he can bring our group up.' Kahne isn't returning after nearly seven years away just to lollygag. His competitive juices are flowing, and he wants to feel the thrill of contesting up front. His assumption is that the No. 33 car will be a threat. Kahne is one of only three drivers entered in Saturday's race who have previously competed at Rockingham, along with Ryan Sieg and Jeb Burton. Advertisement 'I'm doing it to do everything that I can to win the race,' Kahne, an eight-time Xfinity winner, said. 'That's not going to be easy by no means; the [drivers] are very good in the Xfinity Series. That will be tough to accomplish, but I want to run all the laps and run as close to the front as I can throughout the entire race. Do everything we can to give it our best effort and be happy when it's over, that we did everything we could to try and win.' Rodden, who spent the majority of three seasons as Kahne's crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports and another decade as a race engineer for the Washington native, wants to make this weekend special for Kahne. 'I think it's great for NASCAR,' Rodden said of Kahne's return. 'Kasey is one of the greatest 75 drivers in NASCAR history. It was cool to see him be honored at Darlington (in 2023). In his prime, he was one of the best.' Kahne has raced frequently at dirt tracks in his post-NASCAR years and is running the full High Limit Racing season in 2025. After six races, he's eighth in the standings. The longest race he's competed in away from NASCAR, he believes, was a 40- or 50-lap feature. Advertisement When Kahne couldn't continue racing full time in NASCAR, it was easy for him to disappear. As time has passed, he's gradually become more familiar with understanding the new nuances of the sport because 'I do miss it a little bit and want to know what's going on and where things stack up.' MORE: Xfinity Series schedule Kahne is uncertain whether he will get bitten by the NASCAR bug again and won't rule out returning post-Rockingham. Rodden tends to believe Kahne will stay away, but a solid outing at Rockingham could lead to additional races. 'This has been a lot of fun to prepare and work on this one particular race,' Kahne said. 'I think a lot of that goes to RCR, the 33 team, Andy Street and that whole group. The timing of it has been perfect. I've really enjoyed it. I want to put together the best effort that we possibly can and look at it after that and decide if there's another one that we would like to do or something like that. 'Putting it all into Rockingham right now. The situation that I'm in is very good. Really enjoying the whole process.'
