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Kasey Kahne Out at Hendrick Motorsports in 2018

By Alex Herbst

LONG POND, PA - JULY 29: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Great Clips/Shark Week Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
LONG POND, PA - JULY 29: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Great Clips/Shark Week Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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The NASCAR silly season just keeps getting crazier and crazier. Kasey Kahne is now out at Hendrick Motorsports, effective at the end of the 2017 season.

The 2017-18 NASCAR silly season can only be described as one of the wildest and craziest in recent memory. Not since the 2008 offseason have there been so many star drivers on the move, and now one more is looking for a new home. Hendrick Motorsports announced on Monday that Kasey Kahne will leave the team at the end of the 2017 season.

The driver of the #5 Chevy has been with HMS for the last six years, earning one-third of his career wins in that ride. His most recent victory came in this year’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis, locking him into the 2017 playoffs. This becomes the first time in years that both the Daytona 500 winner and Brickyard 400 winner are without confirmed rides for the following season.

Team owner Rick Hendrick had this to say apart parting ways with Kasey Kahne ahead of the 2018 Cup Series season:

"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."

The move to replace Kahne in the #5 car was one that many saw as a possibility before his win at Indianapolis in July. Kahne had underperformed compared to his teammates in recent years, but still held the ride likely due to his strong amount of funding. But with Great Clips and Farmers Insurance both departing the team, questions began to abound.

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Perhaps some considered Kahne safe after his surprising win, but the gap in sponsorship became a problem for Hendrick, as it has with many teams in 2017. The future, however, remains somewhat clouded for the four-car operation. With Kahne’s departure, Hendrick Motorsports says they will announce plans for their fourth team in the near future. The question is, what does that future hold?

Without additional sponsorship, Rick Hendrick may find it hard to justify fielding the fourth car in 2018. But with the charter still in hand, and plenty of young talent who could take the ride, why not continue fielding the #5? William Byron brings Liberty University sponsorship with him and could be a candidate for the seat. Seasoned veterans like Matt Kenseth could also be in the running.

Next: Martin Truex Jr. Wins at Watkins Glen International

Were you surprised to see that Kasey Kahne is leaving Hendrick Motorsports at the end of 2017? Where do you think he will race in 2018? Who takes over the #5 car for HMS? Comment below with your thoughts on this latest silly season development.

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