ESPN, citing anymous sources, is reporting that Kasey Kahne, arguably the hottest free agent available, has signed a mutliyear deal with Hendrick Motorsports starting in 2011. Details are trickling out slowly.
Logic would indicate that Kahne will take over the No. 5 car, currently driven by Mark Martin. Martin has a contract through to the 2011 season, but some expect him to retire, given this news. Some think Dale Earnhardt Jr, the driver who has had inconsistent results since joining HMS in 2008, may be moved. Dale Jr, however, has three years left remaining on his deal, so it’s unlikely that Dale Jr will leave HMS. That said, stranger things have happened.
Jimmie Johnson is signed through 2015 while Jeff Gordon has a lifetime contract, so there’s no chance that either of them would move for Kahne.
It is being reported that Kahne could go to Stewart Haas Racing, which has an affiliation with HMS, for a year before moving to the No. 5. A while ago, I wrote that there were four potential seats for him, if he did leave Richard Petty Motorsports. SHR was one of those teams, but I never thought he would go there while waiting for a HMS ride. No one could have predicted this, considering all HMS drivers were signed at least through 2011. But as I said before, stranger things have happened.
Update: The Charlotte Observer is reporting that Kahne will drive the No. 5 car starting in 2012.
FoxSports is reporting that Kahne will drive for Stewart Haas Racing in 2011, along with sponsor Budweiser. But, there is some skepticism as to where this is true.
[...] certain. He is currently crew chief for the No. 5 team and driver Mark Martin. With the addition of Kasey Kahne to HMS in 2012, Martin will step out of the No. [...]
[...] last month Kasey Kahne signed with Hendrick Motorsports, despite HMS having a full stable of drivers signed through 2011. Rumors began circulating that [...]
[...] will move its Sprint Cup sponsorship from Kasey Kahne, who is leaving Richard Petty Motorsports to join Hendrick Motorsports, to Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29, who is losing his Shell Pennzoil [...]
[...] Finch, owner of Phoenix Racing and the No. 09 Chevy, to secure a 2011 ride for Kasey Kahne, who signed on to drive for HMS in 2012, earlier this [...]
[...] the No. 83, in 2011, allowing Kasey Kahne to move to the No. 5 in 2011. Hendrick signed Kahne to a multi-year deal earlier this season. But, Martin is still under contract in the no. 5 for 2011, leaving Kahne [...]
[...] Sadler’s comments, that leaves RPM with no drivers under contract for 2011. Kasey Kahne is leaving the team to join Hendrick Motorsports. AJ Allmendinger is not currently under contract beyond the end of [...]
[...] is rumored as a potential replacement for Kasey Kahne, who is leaving to join Hendrick Motorsports, at Richard Petty Motorsports, FoxSports.com is reporting, citing unnamed sources. Mike Mulhern of [...]
[...] to run the car next season as he waits to Mark Martin’s contract to expire so that he can take over Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 Chevy in 2012. Those talks, reportedly, have fallen [...]
[...] Kahne signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports back in April. It’s unclear whether Budweiser would stay on, but rumors have that [...]
[...] Kasey Kahne headed to Red Bull Racing in 2011 while he waits for Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 Sprint Cup Chevy to become available in 2012, several people are wondering what each side gets out [...]
[...] since Kasey Kahne announced that he signed a contract with Hendrick Motorsports, there was speculation that Budweiser would leave Richard Petty Motorsports. Harvick and RCR were [...]