Kasey Kahne announces NASCAR retirement
CONCORD, N.C. — Kasey Kahne announced Thursday he will retire from NASCAR.
Kahne said in a Twitter post that he is at ease with the decision after 15 years of racing. Kahne made it to NASCAR via sprint car racing — his Kasey Kahne Racing team competes in the World of Outlaws series.
“I’m not sure what the future holds for me,” Kahne said. “The highs don’t outweigh the lows and the grueling schedule takes a toll on your quality of life. I need to spend more time doing the things I enjoy and love and that’s spending time with (son) Tanner and my sprint car teams.”
The former Hendrick Motorsports driver has 18 victories, including a playoffclinching win last season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That win came amid speculation that Hendrick would part ways with Kahne following six seasons. Hendrick made it official two weeks later.
Kahne signed with Leavine Family Racing for 2018. He had one top-five finish in 23 starts for Leavine, and said the team offered him a ride for next year. But Kahne did not want to commit to NASCAR and the Cup schedule, 38 weekends long.
Kahne’s announcement came one day after 43-yearold Elliott Sadler said he will walk away from NASCAR after 21 seasons.
Sadler currently drives for JR Motorsports in the second-tier Xfinity Series. He spent 12 full-time seasons in the Cup Series driving for Wood Brothers Racing, Robert Yates Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Richard Petty Motorsports. He is also retiring to spend more time with family, including his two young children.
They are the latest in a growing list of NASCAR drivers who have hung up their helmets in recent years, following Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, three-time champion Tony Stewart and four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon, who retired after the 2015 season.