Richard Petty Motorsports announced Wednesday, October 21, 2010 that “Kasey Kahne has been released from his driving duties at Richard Petty Motorsports effective immediately.”
The NASCAR Sprint Cup driver’s release came just days after his comments about his car’s brake failure at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night.
Kahne experience brake failure for the third time this year and the second time in three weeks The failure led to a wreck with Sam Hornish Jr. Kahne refused to get back into his car after repairs were made saying he was ill and J.J. Yeley finished the Charlotte race for the team.
Richard Petty Motorsports also announced that Aric Almirola will pilot the No. 9 Budweiser Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series race Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. They have not announced the driver of that car for the last four races of the year.
Kahne Scheduled to Move to Red Bull Racing for 2011 and Hendrick in 2012
Kahne announced in April that he would be moving to Red Bull Racing for the 2011 season before replacing Mark Martin in the No. 5 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. His move to Hendrick Motorsports will put Kahne with teammates Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. on NASCAR’s strongest team.
"In Kasey, we saw an opportunity to cement a big piece of our future," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports said at the time. "He possesses incredible talent and a tremendous dedication to his craft, and we know he'll be a great fit within our company."
Kasey has earned the respect of his future teammates by the way he's handled himself on and off the racetrack,” Hendrick noted, “and we know he'll be a contributor to the success of Hendrick Motorsports for many years to come. To have someone of his caliber join our team is an unbelievable opportunity for us."
No announcement has been made regarding Kahne’s plans for the remaining five races of 2010.
Kahne Began NASCAR Sprint Cup Career in 2004
The Enumclaw, Washington native began his NASCAR Sprint Cup career in 2004 when he won Rookie of the Year honors with 13 top-five finishes. He ended his rookie season ranked 13th and missing the Chase for the Championship by 28 points.
Kahne scored his first career win in 2005 at Richmond International Raceway and in 2006 he won six races and started from the pole position six times. Kahne is currently ranked 21st among Sprint Cup drivers. Kahne qualified for the NASCAR Chase for the Championship in 2009.
Rosalie Thompson - Rosalie Thompson enjoys writing about NASCAR, real estate, gardening and travel in the Southeastern United States. After graduating from ...
