By Dustin Albino, NASCAR
After grinding as a full-time NASCAR competitor for nearly two decades, Kasey Kahne needed time away. He was forced to miss the final 11 races of the 2018 Cup Series season with Leavine Family Racing while battling extreme dehydration, which ultimately ended his full-time NASCAR career.
It took some time for Kahne to reconnect with the sport he dedicated his life to. But after glancing at the 2025 national series schedules, one race stuck out to the 18-time Cup Series winner.
During the wee hours of Jan. 10, Kahne sent a text message to Keith Rodden, vice president of competition for Richard Childress Racing. He was inquiring about NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway. The two former teammates for nearly 15 years immediately picked up the phone to discuss the possibility of Kahne driving an RCR car. Rodden then messaged Danny Lawrence, vice president, alliance operations and director of RCR’s Xfinity Series program. The next day, they approached team owner Richard Childress with the idea.
Photo: NASCAR