One NASCAR writer thinks this is where Kasey Kahne will ride in 2018


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On the surface, there don't appear to be many options for Kasey Kahne.

After Hendrick Motorsports released him from his contract -- and quickly replaced him with William Byron -- he said he wouldn't race in the XFinity series, while understanding that rides are hard to come by.

Now, Jordan Bianchi, the NASCAR reporter for SBNation, floated a fascinating possible for the Brickyard winner -- GMS Racing. How, if you're thinking that GMS races XFinity -- which Kahne has already said he wouldn't do -- Bianchi writes this:

GMS Racing, which is considering expanding beyond the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series where it currently fields multiple teams in each division. GMS starting up a Cup Series team would include a technical alliance with Hendrick, which already supplies the team with engines, and include Hendrick facilitating Kahne being named GMS' driver.

That's a fascinating observation since team owner Rick Hendrick has said he's committed to help Kahne find a ride in 2018.

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He wouldn't give details, but said via 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."

 

 

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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.

 

When Hendrick Motorsports suddenly released Kahne from his contract, there were nothing but kind words and well wishes from his old teammates. The move was likely a cost cutting move, as NASCAR teams are shedding more expensive veteran drivers in favor of more affordable young talents.

Related: Kasey Kahne's teammates react to Hendrick Motorsports' decision to release the NASCAR champion

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