ESPN’s Marty Smith dropped the bombshell that Kasey Kahne will be leaving Richard Petty Motorsports at year’s end to drive for Hendrick Motorsports. Specifics, including car number, sponsor, and crew chief, will be determined at a later date. At this point, Hendrick Motorsports roster is full of drivers who many consider to be an “all-star” team. That being said, Kahne’s signing raises the question, “Who will he replace at Hendrick Motorsports?”
Per NASCAR’s “Jack Roush Rule,” teams can have no more than four cars under one stable, but this doesn’t prevent the use of satellite teams, such as Stewart Haas Racing or JR Motorsports. However the wording of multiple reports makes Kahne’s agreement to be with Hendrick Motorsports, as opposed to an affiliate. That leaves the Concord, North Carolina-based team to make a decision regarding Kahne’s 2011 driving arrangement.
Currently, Hendrick Motorsports owns four cars, belonging to Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. One of these household names will be out a ride, in some shape or form, when Kahne joins the team. The driver that obviously is in the clear is Jimmie Johnson, who has won four consecutive championships. While many may think that Jeff Gordon is another driver who is completely locked in, that isn’t necessarily true. Gordon isn’t the “Wonder Boy” he used to be. He hasn’t won a race since early 2009, he has repeated suffered from back ailments, and has a young child with a second on the way. Who is to say Gordon doesn’t decide to hang up the helmet after 2010? If veteran Mark Martin were to not return to the seat in 2011, it would be a surprise to many in the NASCAR community, despite the fact that he went on his first retirement tour five years ago. Martin has said on numerous occasions that he is happy with where he is at and doesn’t have plans to retire within after this year. In addition, his sponsorship obligations have been extended through 2011. Finally, there is NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s career has admittedly gone down hill since he began racing with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. He only has one win and has been pillar of mediocrity since his signing. While Earnhardt has a plethora of sponsorship commitments, he has expressed an interest in the past in bring his Nationwide Series team to the next level.
Kahne’s signing brings forth an abundance of questions for not only his future teammates, but his current team Richard Petty Motorsport and their associates. While not much is known about Kahne’s signing yet, it will all come out of the woodwork eventually.
Photo Courtesy of http://hendrick-motorsports-news.newslib.com/
