Kahne to leave Petty team for Hendrick Motorsports

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' with this news.

Kasey Kahne

04/13/10 Kasey Kahne has agreed to a contract with Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2011, sources told SceneDaily.com.

Richard Petty Motorsports, which has Kahne under contract for this season, confirmed that Kahne is leaving the organization.

Exactly whether Kahne will drive for a Hendrick team or for Hendrick affiliate Stewart-Haas Racing is still to be determined. Stewart-Haas, which features drivers Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, gets chassis and engines from Hendrick.

Kahne could even be loaned to another organization for 2011, according to a source. Starting in 2012, he most likely will drive the No. 5 car, currently driven by Mark Martin and who is under contract through 2011.

Kahne is in the final year of his contract at RPM. His sponsor, Budweiser, also is in the last year of its contract with RPM. It was unclear whether Budweiser would follow Kahne to Hendrick. Scenedaily.com