Kasey Kahne to join Red Bull racing team in 2011
Kasey Kahne has signed with Red Bull Racing in the Sprint Cup series next year before joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. He signed a multi-year deal that insures his seat in the number 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
This was back in April when Hendrick Motors announced the signing of the 30-year-old American from Washington for 2012. His fate for 2011 however still hangs in the balance, keeping in mind that he had already committed to leave Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of this season.
Team Red Bull is in their fourth full season at NASCAR’s top level racing. After winning for the first time last year with Brian Vickers at Michigan, they went on to make the chase for the first time. The chase is like the playoffs of NASCAR. Only the top twelve point scoring drivers after the 26th race get to be in the chase. It was introduced in 2004 just to add more excitement to the end of the season and for better television ratings and ticket sales.
However, this year, the team has not enjoyed the same level of success since their number 83 car driver Brian Vickers was diagnosed with blood clots last May. Kasey believes this opportunity will place him in an established and competitive team that can clearly make it to the chase and win races. He expects this to be a great experience for him personally and professionally.
Kasey feels relieved and will now be able to focus his energy on finishing the season stronger for team 9 and their sponsors. He will end up racing a Toyota Camry for Red Bull despite Rick Hendricks’ initial statement asserting Kahne would drive for a Chevy Team 2011. It is still uncertain whom Kahne will be replacing as the team has not announced any plans of running a third car. Scott Speed is driving in their number 82 car and Brian Vicker is expected to return the number 83 Camry if his blood clots treatment proves to be successful.
Red Bulls Jay Frye seems very happy with his decision. He praised Kahne’s performance and said that he was happy to hire such a talented driver for 2011. Believing this is a unique situation which does not take place so often, Jay Frye stated that Kahne is the perfect choice for the team, company and Red Bull.
Speculation mounted regarding Mark Martin, who has already signed to drive the number 5 car in 2011 after Hendrick Motorsports’ announcement about Kahne’s deal for 2012. Before joining Hendrick, Stewart-Haas Racing was believed to be the best option for Kahne but things turned out differently. It was announced that Mark Martin will drive the number 5 Chevrolet next year for the last time before handing his responsibilities with the team to Kahne.
Rick Hendrick said it was their utmost priority to ensure Kasey’s success in 2011 and he believes that Kasey is going to a competitive organization that has great leadership and resources. On top of that, the organization made it to the chase. Kasey looks in a promising position to succeed in the next couple of years. Kasey’s deal did not take time but was well thought out according to the Hendrick Motorsports.
The decision regarding Scott Speed in the Red Bull is expected at the end of the month. Scott Speed is a former Formula 1 racer who used to be with team Torro Rosso from 2006-2007. He did not score any points during this period and his best finish was in the 9th place. He was a controversial character and got fined for using abusive language against David Coulthard. The former Formula 1 driver currently ranks at the 27th spot in drivers’ standings and is currently racing his second full season in the Sprint Cup.
Next season seems to be quite promising for Kasey Kahne. The year 2012 might be his year as he drives the Chevrolet in the Hendrick Motorsports.
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