Kasey Kahne’s NASCAR career came to an abrupt end in 2018. Despite the remaining 11 Cup Series races, the Washington native was forced to close the curtains because of mounting health problems. Competing in the fast lane can be very punishing, and the racer didn’t have it in him to cope with the dehydration or the physical toll the races were taking on his body. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but a reality the driver was forced to accept, given the circumstances.

After spending six years at Hendrick Motorsports, Kahne had to adjust his expectations in the twilight of his career. A switch to Leavine Family Racing brought about a different set of challenges for the racer, but he embraced them with open arms.

Kasey Kahne enjoyed life at Leavine Family Racing

Kasey Kahne has experienced all the highs and lows that the NASCAR world has to offer. In 2012, the Washington native finished fourth in the drivers standing in his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, the best result in his Cup Series career. During his stint with Rick Hendrick’s team, the driver secured six wins at the highest level but failed to make the playoffs in 2015 and 2016. His last triumph came in the chaotic Big Machine Brickyard 400 in 2017, which broke his 104-race winless streak. However, the racer went on to switch his allegiance to Leavine Family Racing the following year.

Unlike Hendrick Motorsports, expectations were completely different at Leavine Family Racing. Speaking on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Kasey Kahne candidly said, “I knew where I should be resulting. If I finished 25th and I thought I should have easily been 18th to 20th that day with what the team brought because the guys did a really nice job. It was a fun team and I enjoyed driving for LFR. I was disappointed, upset we would work on it. But when we got 18th and I knew that was the best job I could. The team did, like 18th was our spot today like that was perfectly fine with it and very happy with it.”

Driving the No. 95 Chevy, Kahne only managed to secure one top-five result in the opening 25 Cup Series races with Leavine Family Racing. The team lacked the resources to field a competitive car, which means the expectations were set accordingly for performances on the track. It was a hard reality to accept, but the Washington native took it like a champ. When asked if the adjustment was easy, the driver said, “I don’t know if it’s ever easy because you always just want to win and run up front… but I was okay with it. It wasn’t so bad.”

Despite having fewer demands at Leavine Family Racing, the toll of racing eventually forced Kasey Kahne to retire. For the racer, it was a matter of survival as severe dehydration, irregular body temperature, and an inability to recover after races made his situation overwhelming, with doctors stumped at finding a solution. Stepping away from NASCAR became the only choice for the racer, who has spent the last few years in sprint cars to satiate his competitive desires. However, a return to the Xfinity Series is now on the cards, as the Washington native is set to feature in the race at Rockingham Speedway.

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Kahne’s NASCAR journey comes a full circle

It was never going to be easy. Returning to the NASCAR Xfinity Series years after retiring from the sport was always going to be a challenge, especially because the sport has evolved over the years. Racing to Rockingham Speedway couldn’t be more poetic, as the track was once a mainstay in the stock car racing series calendar and is also making a resurgent comeback. Driving the No. 33 Chevy, Kasey Kahne can fulfill a ‘what if’ scenario, which could have become a reality much earlier.

Even though Kahne’s NASCAR connections are associated with Ford and Robert Yates Racing, the driver almost got his first real opportunity with Richard Childress Racing. Recalling the situation with Dale Earnhardt Jr., the driver said, “Richard called me out of the blue. He flew my dad and me to North Carolina. We visited with him and went around the shop. I could not believe it. When we left that day, he said, ‘You just tell Ford that you have an Xfinity car to drive, and they need to step up and give you an Xfinity car.’”

Speaking on his return to the Xfinity Series with RCR, Richard Childress said, “Kasey is a great driver and a fierce competitor… With Kasey behind the wheel, we expect the No. 33 to have a shot at winning the race.” Childress” optimism isn’t misplaced either, as Kahne won a Truck Race in 2012, when the track last returned to the sport, and will look to channel the energy from that day into his return. Kahne said, “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.”

Ultimately, being linked with Richard Childress Racing forced Ford to take prompt action, giving Kasey Kahne his NASCAR breakthrough with Richard Childress Racing. However, 20 years later, the alternate scenario is on the verge of being fulfilled, albeit in very different circumstances. The Washington native will finally represent Richard Childress’ team in the Xfinity Series, fulfilling a fate that seems to have been long overdue.