Kahne out at RPM

KAHNE OUT @ RPM. Team statement: Kasey Kahne has been released from his driving duties with Richard Petty Motorsports effective immediately. Aric Almirola will pilot the No. 9 Budweiser Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event this weekend at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Driver line-up beyond Martinsville is to be determined. MartySmithESPN via UberTwitter

 

Wonder what he will be doing this weekend?

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Permalink Reply by Brett Crawford on October 21, 2010 at 10:02pm
How did Kahne get the #4? I thought a team leased a number for a year (then had 1st right of refusal after that). Isn't that why RGM couldn't use the #4 earlier because MMM had the number. They attempted a race earlier this year in the #4.
Permalink Reply by Country Boy on October 21, 2010 at 11:31pm
Follow the money if any changed hands. Perhaps Red Bull offered to buy it. I dunno.

I do know that number 4 is a link to the good old days. Even though Morgan-McClure fired my buddy Spencer, I still recognize it's place in history.
Permalink Reply by Matt Gruber on October 22, 2010 at 9:43am
And Stewart-Haas tried to get it for Newman before last season and they ran into the same thing. Either MMM is done, or Red Bull doesn't realize this issue.
Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on October 22, 2010 at 4:09pm
Or Red Bull wants to throw a block on GOAT taking #4 to cup
Permalink Reply by Joey Brasil on October 21, 2010 at 11:45pm
The #4 Redbull car! Sweet. Scott Speed out? Well he only lasted this long because RedBull has invested in an American F1 driver since speed was 16 and what they got was top 30 in NASCAR. RPM closing? What?! Ambrose needs to go knock on the Redbull door also. Would hate to see Ambrose out of a ride.
Permalink Reply by Bob on October 22, 2010 at 3:54am
NASCAR has always been personality driven, and Ambrose has one of the most delightful personalities in the sport, so I suspect he will find another ride soon.

I just hope he ends up in a competitive car. Seeing him in the winner's circle would warm my heart I must admit, and would bring some needed variety to NASCAR as well.
Permalink Reply by Ky. Dogg Pound 7 on October 22, 2010 at 8:57am
From Jayski this morning:

UPDATE: The story has now been updated to include: "Sources tell FOXSports.com that the Talladega cars were returned after 11:00 am/et Thursday, but they do not have engines or gears yet."(10-21-2010)
UPDATE 2: Multiple sources confirmed to SPEED.com on Thursday that Roush Fenway Racing, which builds RPM's cars, briefly repossessed RPM's Talladega cars and engines because of non-payment. Roush Fenway Racing allowed RPM to take the cars back Thursday morning, sources told SPEED.com. Additionally, sources said that one of the reasons Kahne was released from the team is that RPM owed him a substantial amount of back salary. A team spokesperson contacted Thursday afternoon declined to say whether or not Kahne was owed money, Roush Fenway Racing was owed money, when team owner George Gillett would publicly discuss his team's situation or what RPM's plans were beyond this weekend. "There's just nothing much to comment on right now," said Tiffany Breaux of Richard Petty Motorsports.(SPEED)(10-21-2010)
UPDATE 3: Sources tell Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that a number of Richard Petty Motorsports employees who had planned to join Kasey Kahne at Red Bull Racing next year were told my management today that their services are no longer required, effective immediately.(10-21-2010)
Permalink Reply by Keith on October 22, 2010 at 9:53am
More pesky facts....

"Although rumors swirled that any RPM crewman going to Red Bull had been released from RPM on Thursday, Francis said all of his crew members on the No. 9 team are still with the organization.

“My obligation is until the end of the year, and if that’s what they want me to do, that’s what I’ll do,” Francis said. “That’s the right thing to do. I want to help these guys out as much as I can".

http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/Crew_chief_...
Permalink Reply by Ky. Dogg Pound 7 on October 22, 2010 at 1:12pm
Kahne said he would finish the year too......I'm thinking this is an ongoing thing, changing almost on the hour.
Permalink Reply by Matt Gruber on October 22, 2010 at 2:14pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=5714287

Here's the latest. There's a lot of double-talk in this story. If RPM is paid up and Roush says he expects RPM will be good until the end of the season, then why is Inman questioning RPM's future past Talladega?

On one hand he acts as though the rumors have been causing undue stress at the shop, but at the same time he acts as though RPM will need a miracle to field four cars for five more races. Which is it? I honestly don't think THEY know what is going on.
Permalink Reply by kevin dinsmore on October 22, 2010 at 2:14pm
nice first practice session for soon to be free agent Scott Speed .17th.
Permalink Reply by Matt Gruber on October 29, 2010 at 5:06pm
Latest on this mess. This is exactly what I thought would happen:

Budweiser not making final payment to RPM? Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that Budweiser has told Richard Petty Motorsports that the team will not receive the final installment of its 2010 sponsorship contract. Bud's contract called for Kasey Kahne to be the driver of the Budweiser Ford, and when Kahne left the team five races early to join Red Bull Racing, that contract became null and void. There has been no confirmation from either the team or Budweiser, and no word on what the final installment of that sponsorship would have been worth to the team

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