Phoenix Racing owner James Finch has confirmed that he is close to a deal with Hendrick Motorsports that would see Kasey Kahne in the No. 9 Chevy fulltime in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2011.
Kahne has signed with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the No. 5 car starting in 2012 when current driver Mark Martins contract ends. With Kahne leaving Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of this season however, the dilemma facing Hendrick was where to put Kahne for 2011.
Reports surfaced over the weekend citing unnamed ‘sources’ that a deal was being discussed that would put Kahne in the Phoenix car full time for next season, although the team would not confirm the reports.
Monday Finch revealed to a TV station near his hometown in Florida that the only thing holding up the deal is sponsorship for the car, but that he expects that with assistance from Hendrick and Kahne that should not be a problem. Kahne is currently sponsored by Budweiser and there has been no word on that sponsors future.
The Phoenix team receives chassis and engines from Hendrick and won last year at Talladega with driver Brad Keselowski. Finch began the season with sponsorship from the Miccosukee tribe, but they withdrew just prior to the season opening Daytona 500.
Finch also said Monday that the team will have sponsorship from HendrickCars.com this weekend at Infineon with former F1 driver Jan Magnuson behind the wheel for the Toyota Save Mart 350.
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Comments
Not sure I like this placement of Kasey. No matter where he goes I'll still be a fan and keep cheering him on. He will do good no matter where he is. Maybe no Championship, but really good. I think a one year deal is lousy to say the least.
He already drives the #9 car. It would be the 09 car.
maybe the 2nd class driver for the 9 will take over for the 2nd class 88, now that would work. IMhumbleO
Milly , 2nd class driver ? We'll see who is 2nd class once he gets some "slightly" competitive equipment
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