Kasey Kahne returns to Rockingham in the NASCAR Xfinity Series

The Richard Childress Racing (RCR) team has confirmed that Kasey Kahne will drive a third entry for the organization in the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Rockingham Speedway. Scheduled for Saturday, April 19, the veteran driver will be behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet sponsored by HendrickCars.com. This event marks NASCAR's return to this track after more than a decade of absence.

Kahne’s One-Off Participation at Rockingham

Kasey Kahne, born on April 10, 1980, in Enumclaw, Washington, stood out during his 15-year career in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 529 races, he achieved 18 wins, including three in the Coca-Cola 600 and one in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. In 2023, his career was honored by being named among NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Rockingham Speedway holds a special place in his history. In 2012, he won a NASCAR Truck Series race at this track, the last time it was part of the series’ official schedule. Now, he returns exclusively for this event, highlighting the historical importance of the venue.

Facing New Challenges After Retirement

In 2018, Kahne retired from full-time racing due to medical issues related to regulating his body temperature during races. Since then, he has been actively competing in sprint car racing with his team, Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR). This event at Rockingham represents a one-off opportunity to return to stock car racing without compromising his health.

Preparation for the Challenge

Kahne will take part in a scheduled test session on Tuesday, January 28, at Rockingham Speedway. This session will be crucial for adapting to the current characteristics of the car and track. The team aims to ensure that the No. 33 Chevrolet is in optimal condition for the Saturday, April 19, competition.

Richard Childress, RCR’s president, commented: “Kasey has invaluable experience, and we know he can contribute significantly to our lineup for this event at Rockingham.”