Kasey Kahne may not yet have a ride for 2018, but it doesn't mean he's totally out in the cold.
AutoWeek is reporting the Hendrick Motorsports will pay Kahne for 2018, even though he's been released from his contract.
Not only that, team owner Rick Hendrick has already pledged to help Kahne find a ride in 2018, with GMS Racing a possibility.
No wonder Kahne is so grateful.
"To have (Rick Hendrick) behind you is a really good thing," he told ESPN. "I respect that. I respect him a ton."
Kahne has already said he'll only race in the Cup series moving forward.
Kahne admitted that when Hendrick Motorsports released him from his contract -- and quickly replaced him -- he was hurt, telling ESPN:
It definitely kind of took the wind out of you. Sunday morning I woke up the same. Then Monday, I felt better, Tuesday better, and now I feel really good about kind of where we're at and where we're headed and hopefully something really good comes out of it all.
It definitely took the wind out of my sails there for a minute. ... I want to keep racing NASCAR. I want to be in the Cup series. I'll do whatever I can to be part of it.
Kahne, who was released by Hendrick Motorsports in favor of 19-year-old William Byron, said he knows securing a ride in 2018 will be hard, but is very grateful for Hendrick's support.
Related: Kasey Kahne's teammates react to Hendrick Motorsports' decision to release the NASCAR champion
Rick Hendrick rold NBCSports:
"I'm also trying to help Kasey in another situation that we could be involved with in helping another team."
When asked if Kahne could be going to GMS Racing, who is looking to move up into the Cup series next year, Hendrick answered:
"I'm not going to mention the team, but I know there are several situations that we're talking to, kind of an alliance, which would be good for everyone. We're working on it. We've been working on it and we'll just see how it develops."
It is no surprise the two are still on great terms since after the 2004 rookie of the year and recent Brickyard 400 winner was released, both the team and Kahne released gracious statements to the press:
Rick Hendrick said in his release:
Kasey has worked extremely hard. He's a tremendous teammate and person, and he has been totally dedicated to our program since day one. I've always believed that he's a special talent, and I know he will thrive in the right situation. We will do everything we can to finish the season as strong as we can.
Kahne was classy in his remarks as well:
I'd like to thank Rick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports for their hard work and dedication, along with providing me a great opportunity and success over the last six years. We won six races together and I'm coming off of one of the biggest wins of my career at the Brickyard, which has given the (No.) 5 team a lot of momentum heading into the playoffs. We still have a lot of racing left in 2017 and finishing strong is our top priority. I look forward to what the next chapter in my career holds.
Kahne has driven the team's No. 5 Chevrolet for the least six seasons. In his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career, he's won 18 times with 174 top 10 finishes.