NASCAR
Kasey Kahne Returns to NASCAR with Spire Motorsports for 2027 Truck Series Campaign
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Officially announced Wednesday, 18-time NASCAR Cup Series winner Kasey Kahne will return to stock cars for 2027. The Enumclaw, Wash. native will run the full FedEx Freight Truck Series season with Spire Motorsports in the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado. Kahne, 46, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. He will get back behind the wheel next February at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
“When Jeff (Dickerson, Spire Motorsports co-owner) first asked me about running trucks for Spire Motorsports, I didn’t think he was serious,” said Kahne. “To be out of the sport for as long as I was and to have the opportunity to race for a strong FedEx Freight Truck Series team, or even full time in NASCAR again, was a bit of a surprise. The thought of a return to pavement racing and involvement in something that I was a part of for so long was exciting. It started sounding pretty good. I’m thankful for the opportunity to come back with a team that knows how to win.”
“This is one of the coolest announcements we’ve been able to make,” said Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson. “Kasey is not only a legendary driver but is someone that Spire shares a long history with. Having him in one of our trucks running for a championship means a lot to our organization. We fully trust that he has the same competitive nature and drive to win that he’s always had.”
Kahne’s NASCAR tenure began in 2002, making O’Reilly Series starts for Robert Yates Racing. In Cup, Kahne made his debut in 2004, winning Rookie of the Year. Marquee wins across Kahne’s illustrious NASCAR career include: the 2008 All-Star Race, three Coca-Cola 600s, and the 2017 Brickyard 400. He has made Cup starts for Evernham Motorsports, Richard Petty Motorsports, Team Red Bull, Hendrick Motorsports, and most recently Leavine Family Racing.
In addition to 18 wins across 529 Cup races, Kahne also has a very impressive five wins in six Truck Series starts. Kahne’s most recent Truck win was at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in 2015. Kahne also claims eight wins across the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He is one of only 42 drivers with victories in all three National Series. Kahne is also the only man to ever win Cup races for Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, and Dodge.
Kahne was forced to retire from full-time NASCAR competition for medical reasons after the 2018 season. Dehydration issues kept him from stock cars, but Kahne took on a regular dirt racing schedule. Kahne was a constant sight in World of Outlaws and High Limit Sprint Car races. He has since made one O’Reilly Series start with Richard Childress Racing at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway last season, finishing 14th and saying he felt fine after that race.
“I kept up with NASCAR enough to know that Spire wins races,” continued Kahne. “I saw Kyle Busch’s wins this year, I watched Rajah (Caruth) a lot last year and keep up with what he’s doing. Some of Corey Day’s races I saw too, and Carson (Hocevar) when he won at Texas. I just thought that’s actually a really good truck. This could be a fun way to come back into NASCAR and reunite with Chevrolet. They’re a manufacturer I had some really great moments with over the years.”
Kahne’s first outing with Spire Motorsports will be the 2027 Fresh From Florida 250 on Friday, February 19, 2027.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo Credit to Spire Motorsports
