For years, Kasey Kahne’s NASCAR career seemed permanently closed. The Washington native, once one of the sport’s most promising stars, saw his Cup Series tenure come to an abrupt halt in 2018 due to mounting health issues. Persistent dehydration, irregular body temperature, and an inability to physically recover after races forced Kahne to make the heartbreaking decision to step away from full-time stock car racing.
Now, after seven years away, the 44-year-old is making a shock return to NASCAR, as he’s set to compete in the Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway.
Kahne’s NASCAR Exit: A Career Cut Short
After 15 seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, Kasey Kahne’s body gave out before his passion did. The former Hendrick Motorsports driver—who once stood on the podium as a championship contender in 2012—saw his career unravel due to health complications that doctors struggled to diagnose.
In 2018, while driving for Leavine Family Racing (LFR), Kahne’s condition deteriorated to the point where he physically couldn’t endure the races. The brutal conditions inside the car—with temperatures soaring well over 130 degrees Fahrenheit—became too much for his body to handle.
“I needed to get away because of personal health. My body was struggling with those long races. I just went down that path, and I couldn’t fix it,” Kahne said on the Dale Jr. Download podcast.
“By the end, I was done in practice. At Darlington, I was soaked through in the first practice session. If I stood in one area, there was a puddle underneath me.”
Despite consulting multiple medical professionals, Kahne found no answers. His final NASCAR Cup race came at Darlington, where he barely made it to the checkered flag. He sat out the remainder of the 2018 season before officially announcing his retirement.
Leavine Family Racing & A Tough Transition
Following six seasons at Hendrick Motorsports, Kahne took a massive step down in 2018 by moving to Leavine Family Racing. Gone were the days of racing for wins and championships—instead, he had to accept the reality of battling for top-20 finishes in an underfunded car.
Despite the drop in expectations, Kahne embraced the challenge.
“I knew where I should be resulting. If I finished 25th and I thought I should have easily been 18th to 20th that day with what the team brought … that was perfectly fine with me,” Kahne explained.
“I don’t know if it’s ever easy because you always just want to win and run up front … but I was okay with it.”
Driving the No. 95 Chevy, Kahne only secured one top-five finish in 2018 before his health issues forced him out of the car. His time in NASCAR ended not on his terms, but by necessity.
A Second Chance at Racing
After stepping away from NASCAR, Kahne didn’t abandon his love for racing. He found a new home in sprint car racing, competing in World of Outlaws events while also owning Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR)—one of the most successful sprint car teams in the country.
But as time passed, the itch to return to NASCAR grew stronger. With his health stabilized and confidence restored, Kahne has finally found the right moment to jump back into a stock car.
Kasey Kahne’s NASCAR Return: Xfinity Series at Rockingham
Now, in 2025, Kasey Kahne is making a stunning return to NASCAR—not in the Cup Series, but in the Xfinity Series at Rockingham Speedway.
The race marks his first NASCAR start in seven years, and Kahne will pilot the No. 33 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing (RCR).
“I never wanted to stop racing, but I had to step away for my health. Sprint cars kept me in the game, but I always knew if I got the chance to come back the right way, I’d take it.”
With Rockingham’s resurfacing project bringing the legendary track back to life, it’s a fitting venue for Kahne’s return.
Can Kahne Still Compete?
At 44 years old, Kahne isn’t looking to be a full-time driver again, but his experience and raw talent remain unquestioned.
Although the Xfinity Series is a step down from the Cup Series, it still presents a huge challenge. The younger, hungrier generation of drivers—like Sam Mayer, Chandler Smith, and Jesse Love—won’t make it easy.
Still, Rockingham’s old-school racing style suits Kahne perfectly. If his body holds up, there’s no reason why he can’t fight for a strong finish.
“This is just about having fun, getting back in a car, and seeing what’s possible,” Kahne said.
Final Thoughts: A NASCAR Career Revived?
Kasey Kahne’s NASCAR career ended too soon, but fate has given him a second chance. His return to the Xfinity Series at Rockingham will be a defining moment, not just for his legacy, but for his love of the sport.
Whether it’s a one-off race or the beginning of something bigger, one thing is certain: NASCAR fans will be watching closely as one of the sport’s most beloved drivers finally gets back behind the wheel.