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As the NASCAR Silly Season dominoes continue to fall into place, this week, Hendrick Motorsports was front and center in announcing two big changes in their organization for the 2018 season. On Monday, came the news that Kasey Kahne is now free to pursue other opportunities for next season with HMS releasing him from the last year of their contract. Then two days later on Wednesday came the news that XFINITY Series Rookie of the Year candidate, William Byron is moving up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2018 in the No. 5 with HMS.
Kahne, 37, is completing the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series schedule with HMS after his victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway qualifies him to compete for the Cup Series title. Joining the HMS organization in April 2010, Kahne signed with HMS nearly two years before his February 2012 debut in their No. 5. Now in their sixth season together, Kahne has earned six of his 18 career points-paying Cup victories with the No. 5 team.
“I’d like to thank Rick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports for their hard work and dedication, along with providing me a great opportunity and success over the last six years,” said Kahne. “We won six races together and I’m coming off of one of the biggest wins of my career at the Brickyard, which has given the (No.) 5 team a lot of momentum heading into the playoffs. We still have a lot of racing left in 2017 and finishing strong is our top priority. I look forward to what the next chapter in my career holds.”
Byron’s No. 5 team will feature sponsorship from Axalta Coating Systems and Liberty University, which support the 19-year-old driver in the XFINITY Series this season. Beginning in 2018, the two primary sponsors will cover most of Byron’s Cup races.
In 2016, Byron was successful during his debut season in Camping World Truck Series by making history with a NASCAR national series rookie record of seven victories. This year, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native moved up to the XFINITY Series, where he has already earned three wins — Iowa, Daytona, and Indianapolis — and now ranks second in the standings after 20 of 33 races with Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Byron, who will turn 20 on Nov. 29. “Mr. (Rick) Hendrick has built such a great team. The people at Hendrick Motorsports have dedicated their lives to giving their drivers the best chance to win every weekend. I have a responsibility to them to work hard and put everything I have into this opportunity. They need to know I’m always giving 100 percent because that’s what they do.
“When I told my parents that I wanted to drive race cars, they supported me and believed I could do it. Without them, there’s no way this would be possible. Axalta and Liberty University are awesome partners, and I’m so thankful for their faith in me. I’m going to do all I can to make my family, my sponsors and my teammates proud and represent them all in the right way.”
Next season, Byron will join drivers Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson and Alex Bowman as a member of HMS’s four-car NASCAR Cup Series operation.
For Kahne, his 2018 future is unclear, while he gets ready to compete in this year’s NASCAR Cup Series playoffs that begin in September at Chicagoland Speedway. What lies ahead for Kahne is all part of the NASCAR Silly Season questions that are up in the air and without answers. But rest assured answers are forthcoming.