Kahne making NASCAR return at Rockingham with RCR
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Kasey Kahne is returning to NASCAR racing, at least for one weekend.
Richard Childress Racing announced Friday that Kahne will be in a third car for the organization for the April 19 Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway. Kahne will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet with sponsorship from HendrickCars.com.
"I'm excited to get back behind the wheel of a stock car, especially at a place like Rockingham Speedway," Kahne said. "Rockingham has been a special track throughout my career. I remember winning the Truck Series race in 2012 when the sport went back there last, so to be a part of the current return is cool.
"(I'm) very appreciative of the opportunity that Mr. Hendrick, Richard (Childress), and everyone at RCR have given me, along with the support of HendrickCars.com, Chevrolet, Curb Records, and Karavan Trailers. I look forward to hitting the track next week for the test."
Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series teams will participate in an organization test at Rockingham Speedway on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The doubleheader weekend in April will be the first time a NASCAR national series race has been held at the track since 2013.
Kahne is an eight-time winner in the Xfinity Series in 2015 starts. However, he has not competed in NASCAR since 2018 when his season, which he had already announced would be his last, was cut short due to health issues. Kahne, then 38, struggled with dehydration, regulating his heart rate and body temperature during races.
"Kasey is a great driver and a fierce competitor," said Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Our Xfinity Series program is top notch, and we look forward to watching Kasey race with Austin (Hill) and Jesse (Love) for an exciting return to Rockingham Speedway. With Kasey behind the wheel, we expect the No. 33 to have a shot at winning the race."
Kahne has 31 victories across all three national series, including in the Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400. He was named one of the 75 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR in 2023.
"Kasey is a great friend and an incredibly talented driver, and we're proud to have HendrickCars.com on board with him at Rockingham. It's going to be exciting to see him return to NASCAR at such a special track and with a great team," said Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. "I have tremendous respect for Richard and everything his organization has accomplished. We look forward to seeing Kasey return to NASCAR in what promises to be a memorable weekend for the sport."
