Kasey Kahne has made a surprising return to NASCAR after a six-year absence. The 44-year-old former Cup Series driver participated in a testing session at Rockingham Speedway, preparing for the track’s much-anticipated revival. Driving a Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Chevrolet Camaro, Kahne is gearing up for a one-off appearance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event.
Kahne, who claimed 18 victories during his Cup Series career, stepped away from the sport mid-season in 2017 due to health issues linked to dehydration during races. Now, he’s back, sharing a glimpse of his return on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Testing Testing Testing… It’s been 6 years @NASCAR.”
For the April 19th race at Rockingham, Kahne will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro, sponsored by Hendrick Automotive Group. The partnership marks a reunion with Rick Hendrick, under whom Kahne achieved six of his career wins while driving the No. 5 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports. Kahne’s tenure with Hendrick saw him racing alongside legends like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Rockingham Speedway holds a special place in Kahne’s career. He won a Truck Series race there in 2012 and has competed at the track seven times, making it a fitting venue for his return. The upcoming Xfinity Series race, scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET, is the 10th stop on the 2025 calendar and will span 250 laps on the 1.017-mile oval.
Expressing his excitement in a press release, Kahne shared his enthusiasm for revisiting a track that has meant so much to his career. “I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a stock car, especially at a place like Rockingham Speedway […] Rockingham has been a special track throughout my career.”
He also extended gratitude to Rick Hendrick, Richard Childress, and sponsors like HendrickCars.com, Chevrolet, Curb Records, and Karavan Trailers for enabling his return. RCR owner Richard Childress voiced confidence in Kahne’s abilities, stating, “Kasey is a great driver and a fierce competitor […] With Kasey behind the wheel, we expect the No. 33 to have a shot at winning the race.”
Joining Austin Hill and Jesse Love, Kahne will bring valuable experience to the team as he aims to make a strong impact in his one-off return to NASCAR.
