Kahne going to Red Bull for 2011

UPDATE #3 Statement from Rick Hendrick: "Kasey is going to a competitive organization that made the Chase last season and has great leadership and resources," said Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Of everything we looked at, he and I agree it's the best opportunity for him to be successful in 2011, which was always our number-one priority. The process went on longer than any of us anticipated, but I'm glad that we took our time to make sure it was right. And although I'm not looking forward to racing against him next year, I'm comfortable knowing this is the best situation for Kasey." As announced in April, veteran Mark Martin will continue to drive Hendrick Motorsports' #5 Chevys in 2011. "We're looking forward to another year with Mark Martin, one of the true class acts in racing, driving for Hendrick Motorsports," Hendrick said. "There aren't many things in this world I'd rather do than win a championship with him, and that will be our goal with the #5 team for the rest of this year and in 2011." Hendrick PR

08/10/10 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Kasey Kahne will drive a Red Bull Racing Team Toyota in 2011, the team announced Tuesday. “We were fortunate to have the opportunity to hire a very talented driver for the 2011 season and we took it," said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team Vice President and General Manager. “This is a unique situation that doesn’t happen every day. Kasey is a perfect fit for our company, team and Red Bull."

Kahne, 30, owns an impressive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series résumé. He has 11 wins, 17 poles, 47 top-five and 84 top-10 finishes and twice was a Chase participant in 2006 and 2009. “This opportunity places me with an established, competitive team that has proven they can win races and make the Chase," Kahne said. “I have great respect for Red Bull, so to have the opportunity to drive for Red Bull Racing Team in 2011 is a great fit for me, both personally and professionally. It feels good to be able to finally put this to rest and focus my energy on finishing the season strong for the 9 team and our sponsors."

“This obviously all happened very quickly," Frye added. “Over the next month, we will finalize the specific team details."

Red Bull Racing Team’s final driver lineup for 2011 will be confirmed later this year.

08/09/10 According to AR1.com sources, Red Bull was looking to sponsor one of the Hendricks teams through Stewart-Haas last year. With the possibility of Kahne going to Red Bull for 2011, what you are actually looking at is Red Bull moving into a sponsor only role with Hendrick/Stewart-Haas when Kasey joins them in 2012.

08/09/10 Red Bull Racing has emerged as the likely place for Kasey Kahne in the 2011 Sprint Cup season, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned.

Under a proposed arrangement, Kahne would drive one of Red Bull Racing’s Toyota’s next season as he waits to take over Hendrick’s No. 5 Chevrolet in 2012, sources close to the situation confirmed Sunday.

Mark Martin, as he has maintained since news of Kahne’s signing by Hendrick became public in April, would drive the No. 5 next season, his last with Hendrick.

Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing’s general manager, would neither confirm nor deny his organization has been in discussions with Hendrick Motorsports to have Kahne drive a Red Bull car next season.

"Kasey is under contract with Hendrick Motorsports next year. That is a question for Hendrick," Frye said before Sunday's Heluva Good! at the Glen.

Sources maintained that the deal to put Kahne at Red Bull has not been completed, but insisted that it is the most viable option for the 30-year-old driver from Enumclaw, Wash.

An HMS spokesman declined to comment on the Kahne-to-Red Bull scenario after Sunday's race.

Kahne's agent did not respond to a request for comment.