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NASCAR: Hendrick Motorsports Season Recap

By Cole Mentzel

May 21, 2016; Concord, NC, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) and driver Chase Elliott (24) race down the front stretch during the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2016; Concord, NC, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) and driver Chase Elliott (24) race down the front stretch during the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (5) during practice for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (5) during practice for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

The No. 5 Team

Driver: Kasey Kahne

Crew chief: Keith Rodden

2016 stats:

  • Wins: 0
  • Top-5’s: 3
  • Top-10’s: 13
  • Laps Led: 0
  • Average Finish: 15.6
  • Poles: 0

Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, it’s been a rough ride for Kasey Kahne. Things didn’t change for him in 2016 either.

For the first time in his career, Kahne failed to lead a lap in a Cup Series season. He was off and on throughout the course of the regular season, recording eight top-10’s in 26 races. Some of his best races came at tracks like Richmond and Dover, where he recored fourth-place finishes, however he still failed to contend for a win.

Kahne made a late run at Richmond but finished sixth when he needed a win and missed the Chase again.

Once the postseason came around, Kahne–like his other HMS teammates–found some speed and started to appear near the front of the pack more often. He recorded seven top-10’s in the final 12 races of the season and had his best outing of the season at Charlotte (his best track), where he finished third.

From Darlington to Kansas (seven races), he had six top-10’s and kept Chase drivers from earning top-10 finishes on some weekends. Though he never had a legitimate shot at winning a race, it was a good sign to see him competing.

Kahne finished 13th at Phoenix and actually restarted on the front row next to Alex Bowman at one point. In the final race of the season at Homestead, he was involved in the late wreck and was hit hard by Carl Edwards. He finished the season 17th in the standings.

Once the end of the season came along, there were many things still lacking from the No. 5 team. Kahne had failed to make the Chase for the second straight season and extended his winless streak to 83 races.

Kahne’s struggles were evident yet again as he continued to struggle with one of the best teams in the sport. His contract with HMS expires after the 2018 season and his future with the team remains in question.

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