Overwhelmed. That’s probably how Kasey Kahne felt when he got the opportunity to take over Awesome Bill from Dawsonville’s ride in 2004. The fresh-faced 23-year-old had the chance of a lifetime after he secured a full-time Monster Energy Cup Series seat with Evernham Motorsports despite not having a single win in any of NASCAR’s three national series. Talk about luck, right? Taking over from racing royalty can be a daunting task, but one that the Washington native eventually took in his stride to make his mark at the highest level.

With his NASCAR season on the horizon, Kahne is on the verge of going back to where it all started. The 44-year-old took a trip down memory lane with Dale Earnhardt Jr., recalling his rookie year in the Cup Series, and gave Bill Elliott credit for his big breakthrough in the sport.

Bill Elliott’s mentorship shaped Kasey Kahne’s career

Taking over from Bill Elliott wasn’t easy. Just ask Kasey Kahne, who inherited the No. 9 Dodge from the 1988 Winston Cup Series champion in 2004. ‘Million Dollar Bill’ had already established himself as a legend of the sport by then, winning 44 races, including the Daytona 500 twice, and was named Most Popular Driver a record 16 times. Big shoes to fill indeed. However, despite the intimidating experience of literally replacing a NASCAR legend, Kahne managed to hold his own in his rookie year despite having a sprint racing background, thanks to Bill Elliott’s guidance both on and off the racetrack.

Recalling his NASCAR breakthrough, Kasey Kahne said on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, “I answer the phone, can’t believe it’s Bill Elliott you know. Start having a conversation and he’s basically telling me like, we need to keep this quiet and stuff but I’m, you know, I’m out. Like, I’m going to retire at the end of this year and me and Ray want you to get in the nine.” Imagine being a driver working tirelessly for a seat in NASCAR’s premier series and your idol offers it to you. That’s what happened to Kasey Kahne. But despite the opportunity of a lifetime, Kahne had his concerns.

Uncertainty loomed in Kahne’s head. After all, his limited NASCAR experience didn’t instill a lot of confidence in the racer about being able to do justice to the iconic No. 9 Dodge. Reflecting on his doubts after being given the opportunity, the Washington native went on to say, “I mean, I didn’t know if I was ready and that was my biggest concern, you know. Do you think I’m ready, like I really, I don’t have a lot of experience yet in these types of cars. Bill was like, ‘I’ll help you, you know, the short of it all.’”

Ultimately, the leap of faith paid off. Bill Elliott traveled with Kasey Kahne for every testing session during the 2004 season to help the racer acclimatize to the rigors of NASCAR’s highest level. He also attended almost every race, cheering on from the sidelines while generously offering guidance before and after practice sessions, qualifying as well as races. Eventually, Elliott’s support helped Kahne secure his first Sprint Cup victory at Richmond in his second season, along with 10 others in seven seasons.

Kahne’s motorsports journey comes a full circle

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Kahne is back where it all began. Having made a name for himself at the World of Outlaws Sprint Car racing series, the Washington native is back to his roots after retirement, owning a sprint team in the competition called Kasey Kahne Racing. The veteran racer will also be making his long-awaited NASCAR comeback at Rockingham Speedway this year, which is where he first tested a stock car and kickstarted his Xfinity and Cup Series journey. Returning to the 1.017-mile track is a homecoming of sorts, and the racer will hope to hit the ground running at the N.C. Education Lottery 250 later this year.

Recalling the importance of the track, Kahne said, “First time I ever tested a stock car, it was here. I had won a sprint car race in Volusia, but the night before it was a Sunday night race in Volusia County! I drove through the night, up here, slept in a parking lot, and then got into a Busch Series car that morning and did a test here.” Despite his break from NASCAR, the 44-year-old is leaving no stone unturned to prepare for the Xfinity Series event, going on to say, “It’s been a while, but working with Chevrolet and RCR, I’ve gotten some simulator work. It’s helped a lot coming here.”

Kasey Kahne has even tasted success at Rockingham Speedway. ‘The Rock’ was revived by NASCAR for a brief two-year spell almost a decade ago, and the Washington native won a Truck Series race at the venue in 2012 while competing for Turner Motorsports. With his decades of experience and deep knowledge of the track, could he potentially turn back the clock and seize a surprising triumph at the 1.017-mile track on his long-awaited NASCAR return? Time will tell.