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Kasey Kahne’s Stunning NASCAR Comeback: A Long-Awaited Partnership with Richard Childress Racing – “They Said I Wasn’t Ready”

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 14, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Kasey Kahne’s Stunning NASCAR Comeback: A Long-Awaited Partnership with Richard Childress Racing – “They Said I Wasn’t Ready”

Aug 10, 2018; Brooklyn, MI, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (95) during qualifying for the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Few stories in NASCAR come full circle quite like this one. Kasey Kahne’s return to the Xfinity Series in 2025 with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is more than just a comeback—it’s a long-overdue partnership nearly two decades in the making.

After an unexpected and painful early retirement in 2018 due to severe dehydration issues, Kahne’s return to NASCAR wasn’t something fans saw coming. But with years of recovery, a resurgence in sprint cars, and a burning passion for competition, the 44-year-old is making his grand return to stock car racing—driving the No. 33 Chevrolet for RCR at Rockingham.

Childress Saw Kahne’s Potential Before Anyone Else

While Kahne’s NASCAR roots are tied to Robert Yates Racing and Ford, his first real opportunity nearly came from Chevrolet and Richard Childress Racing. In a recent conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the “Dale Jr. Download,” Kahne recalled the moment he realized just how badly Childress wanted him.

“Richard called me out of the blue,” Kahne said. “He flew my dad and me to North Carolina. We visited with him and went around the shop. I could not believe it.”

Childress believed Kahne was ready for the Xfinity Series, even when Ford wasn’t convinced. But the legendary team owner knew how to push the right buttons.

“When we left that day, he said, ‘You just tell Ford that you have an Xfinity car to drive, and they need to step up and give you an Xfinity car.’”

That bold push ultimately forced Ford’s hand, leading to Kahne’s first NASCAR opportunity with Robert Yates Racing instead. Now, 20 years later, Childress and Kahne are finally teaming up—proving that some stories just take longer to write.

Health Struggles Cut His Career Short—But He’s Ready for Round Two

Kahne’s sudden retirement in 2018 wasn’t by choice—it was a matter of survival.

Severe dehydration, irregular body temperature, and an inability to recover after races made long-distance events nearly impossible for him. By the Southern 500 at Darlington, the symptoms became overwhelming.

“By the end, I was done after practice,” Kahne admitted. “First practice at Darlington, I was sopping wet. If I stood in one area, it was a puddle underneath me.”

Doctors couldn’t find a clear solution, and Kahne had no choice but to step away. But after years of managing his health and competing in sprint car racing, he’s confident in his ability to return.

Why Rockingham? A Historic Track for a Special Comeback

Kahne’s return to NASCAR’s Xfinity Series at Rockingham is poetic. The track, a former NASCAR mainstay that’s making a comeback itself, will now serve as the stage for Kahne’s long-awaited reunion with RCR.

Driving the No. 33 Chevrolet, backed by HendrickCars.com, Kahne will race on a track steeped in NASCAR history—a fitting setting for a driver who’s overcome so much to get back behind the wheel.

From Retirement to Redemption—What’s Next for Kahne?

While one race won’t define his future, Kahne’s return to NASCAR is a testament to his resilience. Whether this is a one-off event or the beginning of something bigger, one thing is certain—Kasey Kahne’s story isn’t finished just yet.

And this time, he’s finally driving for Richard Childress Racing—the team that believed in him first.

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