Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Tuesday 8 augusT 2017
Hendrick Motorsports, Kasey Kahne to split after 6 years

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — including one at Indianap- a special talent, and I know and I’m coming off of one high as fourth in the stand-
Kasey Kahne is out at Hen- olis last month that quali- he will thrive in the right situ- of the biggest wins of my ings in 2012 driving for Hen-
drick Motorsports at the fied him for the playoffs. ation. career at the Brickyard, drick. He won two races in
end of the season. “He’s a tremendous team- We will do everything we which has given the (No.) 2013, won on Aug. 31, 2014,
The Brickyard 400 winner mate and person, and he can to finish the season as 5 team a lot of momentum at Atlanta Motor Speed-
was released from the final has been totally dedicated strong as we can.” heading into the playoffs,” way for career victory No.
year of his contract, allow- to our program since day Kahne’s win at Indianapolis Kahne said. 17 and then went on a 102-
ing him to pursue another one,” Hendrick said in a wasn’t enough to save his “We still have a lot of rac- race winless streak.
Cup ride for 2018. Team statement Monday. “I’ve job. ing left in 2017 and finish- He opened this season
owner Rick Hendrick did always believed that he’s “We won six races together ing strong is our top priority. with a seventh-place fin-
not immediately name a I look forward to what the ish in the Daytona 500 and
replacement for the No. 5 next chapter in my career was fourth in Atlanta, and
Chevrolet. holds.” seemed to show he might
Hendrick has seven-time Kahne’s fate had been have returned to form. But
champion Jimmie John- in limbo for most of the he crashed out of five rac-
son, Chase Elliott and Alex season because of years es and failed to finish better
Bowman in the fold for next of mediocre finishes and than 15th in the nine races
season. sponsorship woes. Farmers leading into Indianapolis.
The organization could Insurance bailed on Kahne There are few quality op-
turn to 19-year-old Xfinity and Great Clips also cut tions left for Kahne in 2018.
Series driver William Byron ties with the driver. Richard Childress Racing
to fill the seat. Former Cup Great Clips had been saw Paul Menard leave
champions Matt Kenseth signed as the primary spon- for Wood Brothers Racing,
and Kurt Busch also don’t sor for 10 races annually and there’s no guarantee
have contracts for next through the 2018 season, RCR’s third entry will be
season. but that deal ended early filled in 2018. Stewart-Haas
The 37-year-old Kahne will — and so did Kahne’s run Racing declined to pick
finish the season driving the In this July 23, 2017, file photo, Kasey Kahne (5) celebrates with with Hendrick. up Busch’s contract op-
No. 5 Chevrolet for Hen- car owner Rick Hendrick after winning the NASCAR Brickyard Kahne won as many as six tion, though both sides are
drick. He has six victories in 400 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. races in 2006 driving for Ray hopeful a new deal can be
six seasons with Hendrick, Associated Press Evernham and finished as reached.q