Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts to Kasey Kahne NASCAR return news
This morning, Richard Childress Racing announced that Kasey Kahne will return to NASCAR with an Xfinity Series start at Rockingham. Dale Earnahrdt Jr., Kahne’s former Hendrick Motorsports teammate is excited to see the return. Maybe someone can convince Dale Jr. to get in the race, too.
Bringing back a fan favorite like Kasey Kahne is a big deal. At 44 years old, Kahne still races full-time in the High Limit Racing series. That is the sprint car series owned by Kyle Larson.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t spend a ton of time reacting to the Kahne news. All he had to do was send a one-word response.
“Badass.” Yes, it is Dale. Badass indeed.
Kasey Kahne made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Rockingham back in 2002. That was back with Robert Yates Racing. He would finish P31. In five Xfinity starts at the track, Kahne had a best finish of P16.
On the Cup Series side, Kahne only made one start at The Rock. He had a damn good race, P2 in 2004. However, the best race that the driver ever had at the track was in 2012 in the Truck Series. He took his Turner Motorsports Chevy to Victory Lane.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a fan of the sport. So, like the rest of us fans, he is excited to see Kasey Kahne return.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. has stacked Xfinity Series lineup
Of course, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have his Xfinity Series drivers racing alongside Kasey Kahne. The fact Kahne is in RCR equipment makes me think he will be competitive. Which makes it all that much more exciting.
For JR Motorsports, this is the best lineup they have ever had top to bottom. Justin Allgaier, the returning champion. Sammy Smith, 20, is seen as a future star in the sport. Then you have Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch, two talented rookies who have Cup Series starts in their future.
Kvapil and Zilisch could both end up with wins this season. Zilisch is a master on the road courses. When it comes to short tracks, Kvapil excels. He almost picked up an Xfinity Series win on multiple occasions in select starts last season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to put his relatively young roster up against a 44-year-old veteran in Kasey Kahne. Not to mention, Kahne might be the only driver in the field with experience at Rockingham. Allgaier has one ARCA start to his name at The Rock, but not NASCAR races.