Kahne and Red Bull Racing a possible pair for 2011
Though no official statement has been released, on Monday sources everywhere are whispering that a deal is in the works for Kasey Kahne to drive with Red Bull Racing in 2011.
Kahne currently drives with Richard Petty Motorsports in the Ford number nine car, but that contract ends with the 2010 season and Kahne has already signed a deal to drive at Hendrick Motor Sports in 2012. He signed the deal with team owner Rick Hendrick in April under the condition that Hendrick would need to find him a ride for the 2011 season.
Hendrick initiated talks with RBR but a deal hasn’t been finalized . In order to go through a deal would need to be OK’d by RBR officials, Chevrolet and Toyota, and so far nobody has commented on the deal. But among the list of drivers looking for rides next season, Marcos Ambros, Sam Hornish Jr., Casey Mears, Max Papis, and Paul Menard, Kahne is the biggest name and has a huge fan following. He would be well suited with RBR.
"I've had a lot more options than I thought I would, and a lot of it is just waiting for the right time and the right deal," Hendrick had said back in June when he began looking for future teams. "I haven't been in a hurry. I know we've got some good options. There are new deals coming out every day. I get unbelievable calls from people in this garage. So we're just not ready to pull the trigger."
Hendrick already has four drivers under contract for the 2011 season, and NASCAR rules stipulate that each team is limited to no more than four cars. When Kahne signed with Hendricks it was expected that he would be driving the number five Chevrolet in 2012. But rumour around the garage lately were that Mark Martin, who drove for Hendrick in 2010, would step aside next season to give Kahne an early seat with the team.
These rumours were laid to rest Monday when Martin addressed the issues of his early retirement with media.
“I’m going to do what I want to do. For now, I’m going to drive the number five car. That’s what I’m going to do in ‘11. That’s what I said all along,” Martin told reporters Monday. “I feel very disrespected when the media doesn’t accept that. Because what that means is -- you make me look like I’m going to get fired. It’s very disrespectful and I deserve better than that from (the media).”
RBR currently employs Scott Speed and Brian Vickers though neither are guaranteed to drive next season. Now that Martin puts rumours to rest about his early retirement, it looks more and more likely that Kahne will be over at RBR this season.
Vickers hasn’t raced since May when he was diagnosed with blood clots. Several other drivers have stepped in to replace him, including Reed Sorenson who will be behind the wheel of the Toyota this week at Michigan. Boris Said also drove for RBR, most recently at Watkins Glen last weekend.
Vicker is unsure if he will be able to get back behind the wheel of the No. 83 for next season, and is scheduled to meet with RBR Officials and doctors this week to discuss his health. As for Speed, his future with RBR will be determined at the end of August, said General Manager Jay Fry.
Speed is in 27th place in the Sprint Cup Series, and Khane sits at 17th place. Both will be racing at Michigan this weekend. Kahne’s last win was 6 September at the Atlanta race in 2009, and he has 11 career wins overall.
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