Kasey Kahne is returning to full-time racing in 2027 to drive for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series, the team announced Wednesday.
Kahne, 46, was an 18-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series before retiring from full-time competition in 2018 due to health complications.
He was named one of NASCAR’s “75 Greatest Drivers” in 2023 for a career that included crown-jewel victories at the Coca-Cola 600 (2006, 2008 and 2012) and the Brickyard 400 (2017).
“This is one of the coolest announcements we’ve been able to make,” Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson said. “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 and we fully trust that he has the same competitive nature and drive to win that he’s always had.”
Kahne returned to the track for the first time in seven years on April 19, 2025 when he finished 14th at Rockingham, N.C., in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving for Richard Childress Racing.
In addition to 529 starts in the Cup Series, Kahne recorded eight wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and five wins in the Truck Series. His last start in the trucks circuit came on May 15, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C.
“When Jeff (Dickerson) first asked me about running trucks for Spire Motorsports, I didn’t think he was serious,” Kahne said. “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 and I’m thankful for the opportunity to come back with a team that knows how to win.”
Kahne will make his debut in Spire’s No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST in the season opener at Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 19.
