Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne underwent successful outpatient knee surgery Friday morning, according to a press release issued by the team. Kahne is expected to be ready for the Feb. 18 Budweiser Shootout, the Feb. 26 Daytona 500 and all of Daytona Speedweeks.
Kahne, who will replace Mark Martin and drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, had an MRI Thursday after experiencing swelling in his left knee. The MRI revealed a torn meniscus, which was treated Friday morning with a partial medial meniscus removal. Following the arthroscopic procedure, he was released from an outpatient facility in Charlotte, N.C.
HMS said Kahne, who had a procedure on his right meniscus in April 2011, will practice, qualify and race throughout NASCAR’s season-opening Speedweeks, and the team has no plans to have a backup driver on standby in Daytona Beach.
Kahne spent the off season working with his new team both in the shop and testing at race tracks. Kahne told media member via a teleconference Tuesday that he is “just really excited to get started” at his new job with the elite NASCAR organization. He did not mention any problem with his knee during the teleconference.
Kahne was hired over a year ago at Hendrick but spent 2011 in a Red Bull Toyota waiting for Martin to exit the No. 5 Chevrolet. Kahne said Tuesday he is ready to start the season and is excited to be sharing garage space with HMS driver Jeff Gordon.
“We've had some really good tests. It's been awesome to be part of Hendrick Motorsports, and just excited to get to Daytona. It's a big race, and I can't wait to get rolling again. It's been a good off‑season, but I'm ready to go.”
Kahne finished 14th in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup standings.
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