Kahne signs 3 year extension with Hendrick

[DBReaver35]

So much for someone theory of Kahne to SHR after next year ...

Kahne signs 3 year extension with Hendrick: Hendrick Motorsports and Kasey Kahne have agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep the driver with the #5 Chevy SS team through the end of the 2018 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
"It's extremely gratifying to work with a driver like Kasey," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "I think the world of him both as a driver with championship-level talent and an overall terrific young man. Our whole organization has a great deal of respect for how hard he works, the professionalism he displays with our partners and the way he carries himself every day. We're committed to winning races and competing for titles with him for many years to come."
Kahne, 34, originally signed with Hendrick Motorsports in April 2010 and officially joined the team's four-car stable for the 2012 season. Over the past three years (2012-14), he ranks among the top-10 drivers in Sprint Cup wins (5), pole positions (4), top-five finishes (26) and laps led (1,177). The Enumclaw, Washington, native has 17 career wins in NASCAR's top division.
"I've found a home at Hendrick Motorsports," said Kahne, who since 2012 has earned at least one victory each season while securing three consecutive Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup berths. "We have incredible people and partners supporting us, and I couldn't be more excited about the direction we're headed as a team and a company. It's the right place for me, and I'm looking forward to being here for a long time." Kahne's contract with Hendrick Motorsports was set to expire following the 2015 NASCAR season.

 

[EatSpit24]

Great, now the Jeff Gordon is going to retire after the 2016 season rumors are going to go insane.

 

[Hendrick4life]

Well Elliott is to the #24 im sure. After 2016. Before then...Hmm. 3rd CGR car? I believe CGR is with Hendrick now and not an RCR team right?

 

[EatSpit24]

I'm going out on a limb and saying JRM to cup in 2017 and Jr goes there. Don't laugh at me.

 

[4WideRacing]

Totally didn't see that coming. It will be interesting to see what happens with Chase now that Hendrick is full, SHR is also full unless something changes which I don't see happening. But remember when Rick used Red Bull the Toyota team to hold Kasey for a year? Anything is possible. Lol

I'm going out on a limb and saying JRM to cup in 2017 and Jr goes there. Don't laugh at me.

Hendrick would need to sell his share first.

 

[Sgt Slaughter]

I know this is a stretch, but I swear to god if they pull a Keselowski with Elliott...

The amount of tables that will be flipped in anger...

 

[EatSpit24]

I know this is a stretch, but I swear to god if they pull a Keselowski with Elliott...

The amount of tables that will be flipped in anger...

"Here comes the driver of the #10 Go Daddy Chevy, Chase Elliot!"

 

[4WideRacing]

Chase could go to MWR (with Aaron's and NAPA) for a holding place...

 

[thejet53]

I think he'll a third entry for Ganassi, but what does Harry Scott's team run under? If that's Hendrick maybe he could go there.

 

[EatSpit24]

Chase could go to MWR (with Aaron's and NAPA) for a holding place...

Or Danica could just leave and let someone with actual talent drive that car.

 

[Sgt Slaughter]

Maybe Penske can reach out to him... just like Keselowski...

Imagine Keselowski, Logano, Blaney, and Elliott all in Cup driving for Penske! They could be the next Hendrick in terms of dominance if that happens.

 

[EatSpit24]

Maybe Penske can reach out to him... just like Keselowski...

Imagine Keselowski, Logano, Blaney, and Elliott all in Cup driving for Penske! They could be the next Hendrick in terms of dominance if that happens.

 

[RacerXero84]

Maybe Penske can reach out to him... just like Keselowski...

Imagine Keselowski, Logano, Blaney, and Elliott all in Cup driving for Penske! They could be the next Hendrick in terms of dominance if that happens.

If that happens, I'll eat my hat. I HIGHLY doubt Hendrick will let the same thing happen twice. Although I'm quite happy that Keselowski didn't go to Hendrick, he's lacking a lot of class. So Penske is perfect for him; his, Logano's, and Penske's attitudes are all very similar.

The JRM speculation is unlikely, but possible, assuming JR is the listed owner, but then Chase will have to get in on time with no owners points (although even THAT isn't a safe bet is it Stenhouse?)

Now going to another team like CGR or another team... I don't know, it is more likely than the JRM scenario. One thing is pretty much certain. Chase will stay in a Chevy.

With NAPA on board, I don't doubt the pressure for Hendrick to make a spot for Chase will be on full force. So the most logical conclusion is that Gordon steps out of the 24, and rides for "Hendrick" in another ride. It really is up to Gordon, as he has a lifetime contract.

Back on topic: I think it was a mistake to renew Kahne. Not that I don't like the guy, but he just doesn't have the numbers to warrant a spot at a premier team like HMS. I may be proven wrong, but I doubt it. I think we can expect more of the same from that team, despite the CC change for 2015.

 

[Brandon Miller]

Maybe Penske can reach out to him... just like Keselowski...

Imagine Keselowski, Logano, Blaney, and Elliott all in Cup driving for Penske! They could be the next Hendrick in terms of dominance if that happens.

As a long time Chase fan I can only hope that NEVER happens.

 

[AMLNet49]

JRM has been "Hendrick NNS" since 2008, its not really its own business anymore. There is no way they will do anything other than that under the current arrangement.

Chip Ganassi Racing could be a likely landing spot for Chase, him and Larson could be a dynamite young combo, especially if they could have a veteran like McMurray tutoring them and helping them mature.

Obviously Harry Scott Motorsports is a possibility, they desperately need a second full-time car because they show flashes of their NNS brilliance but I feel like the fact that they only have one car really hurts, so HSM could be a very likely landing place for Chase.

Next year, though, he probably runs his max of 7 races in the #25 car and maybe a few more for HSM or CGR (with the now-relaxed ROTY rules, a 5th car is still limited to 7 starts but the driver himself is not)

 

[DBReaver35]

Sounds like McMurray is losing sponsers to Kahne.

LiftMaster to sponsor Kahne: LiftMaster, the number-one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers, will join 11-time Sprint Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports beginning with the 2015 NASCAR season when it will become a primary sponsor of driver Kasey Kahne and his #5 Chevy SS team. The new relationship will feature LiftMaster, which is headquartered in Elmhurst, Illinois, as a primary sponsor in three Sprint Cup races annually and as an associate-level partner in all other events. The agreement covers the 2015, 2016 and 2017 NASCAR seasons. In 2015, the #5 LiftMaster Chevy SS will appear in Sprint Cup Series races May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, July 11 at Kentucky Speedway and Oct. 18 at Kansas Speedway.

 

[Nitro]

What i see happening is Chase goes full-time in Cup in 2016 with Chip Ganassi Racing, then he goes over to Hendrick whenever a ride finally opens up over there.

 

[Mystical]

Great, now the Jeff Gordon is going to retire after the 2016 season rumors are going to go insane.

are you saying it's been confirmed he's retiring or that rumors of it will start?

 

[4WideRacing]

are you saying it's been confirmed he's retiring or that rumors of it will start?

That rumors will start

 

[Highbank]

Darn I was hoping to see Kahne getting sacked and some real talent coming in over there. That boy has never impressed me, and look at Chase, just look at that boy run.