Urgency: After years off the NASCAR grid, Kasey Kahne is back at Rockingham where it all began — and if things click this weekend, don’t be surprised if you see his name on more entry lists this year 👀
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — July 13, 2025
Kasey Kahne is back — and not just for a nostalgia lap.
After years away from the NASCAR circuit, former Cup Series star Kasey Kahne is making his highly anticipated return to competitive stock car racing this weekend at Rockingham Speedway. It’s a fitting venue for the comeback — the storied North Carolina track was where Kahne first turned heads in NASCAR’s national series nearly two decades ago.
Now 45, Kahne steps back into the spotlight in what is being dubbed both a tribute and a trial run. But those close to the driver say it’s more than a ceremonial start. According to multiple sources in the paddock, Kahne’s return to the track this weekend may be the beginning of a more serious return to racing — depending on how things go.
“This place means something to me,” Kahne said during Friday’s media availability. “Rockingham was where I really felt like I belonged in this sport. To come back here, with a car that can run up front, that’s special. I’ve missed the competition. I’ve missed the fire.”
Kahne will be piloting the No. 5 car for a one-off entry under his own Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR) banner, with technical support from an established mid-tier Xfinity Series team. The car — sporting a sleek matte black-and-red livery reminiscent of his early Evernham Motorsports days — has already been the center of garage buzz all weekend.
Though Kahne retired from full-time NASCAR competition in 2018 due to lingering health concerns, he’s stayed close to the sport through his successful sprint car team and various driver development efforts. But the return to a stock car at a high-speed oval has fans — and competitors — watching closely.
“He still has the talent,” said Kyle Larson, a longtime friend and former KKR sprint car driver. “I’ve seen it firsthand. If he’s feeling good and the car’s right, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him run top ten or better.”
Practice times on Saturday were promising, with Kahne posting top-15 speeds despite limited seat time. Crew members noted his feedback was “sharp, precise, and old-school driver smart,” while Kahne himself admitted, “It’s like riding a bike — a really fast, loud bike.”
When asked about future races, Kahne was coy. “Let’s get through Sunday,” he said with a grin. “But yeah, if it feels right, you might see me again.”
Fans on social media have already begun speculating on where Kahne could pop up next, with tracks like Darlington, Kansas, and even a Bristol night race being floated. The team hasn’t confirmed anything beyond this weekend.
One thing is clear: Kasey Kahne isn’t just showing up to wave at the crowd. He’s here to race — and if the chemistry clicks at The Rock, the comeback story may just be getting started.
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