His earlier announcement about leaving RPM in the end of the season was followed by signing a long-term deal with Hendrick Motorsports but for 2012 and beyond to replace Mark Martin but leaving a huge racing gap for 2011. Rick Hendrick did found him a race position to RedBull Racing but his relationship with "The King" reached a boil-over point at Charlotte Motor Speedway that caused Richard Petty to dismiss Kasey Kahne Kasey from his racing duties within the organization 5 races earlier and to replace him with Aric Almirola who was chosen to drive the No. 9 Ford for the incoming race at Martinsville Speedway. 
Kahne used to be next USAC Sprint-Midget-Silver Crown boy wonder, following in the tire tracks of Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. And, like Gordon and Stewart, he abandoned the open-wheel world for the greener pastures of NASCAR, where he moved into the Nationwide Series in 2002. Soon he moved into Sprint Cup full-time in team owner Ray Evernham’s Dodges in 2004, but his much-anticipated ascension to the sport’s top level was clouded by an ugly public disagreement with Ford, which had nurtured Kahne’s career as the manufacturer sued Kahne for breach of contract.
Kahne cashed in on his promise with Evernham, winning a race in 2005 and then scoring for six wins and a Chase run in 2006 but after team’s sale to sports entrepreneur George Gillett and the later merger with Richard Petty’s operations forming the new Richard Petty Motorsports his career wasn't taken off as he was anticipated and Kahne in his 30s, have to wait until 2012 in order to drive for the famous Hendick motorsports chevrolets.
Although he has had some impressive runs, the 2010 season has been mostly forgettable for Kahne who continued being visibly frustrated and critical about his car's performance. His latest brake failure during the Bank of America 500 caused Kahne to crash making him so upset that he actually left the track before his team repaired the damage and his run was completed by J.J. Yeley.
