NASCAR as a sport is at the crossroads. On one hand, there’s this ambitious expansion racing internationally in Mexico and in the streets of Chicago. On the other hand, you have the roots and tradition that made NASCAR a sporting giant in the first place. Fortunately, in 2025, NASCAR has managed to strike the right balance between the two extremes.
Despite the addition of the Cup race in Mexico, the sanctioning body handed Bowman Gray Stadium a new lifeline with the Clash. But the most exciting race of the year was the return to Rockingham Speedway with the Xfinity and Truck Series races. These are point-paying races, not just special events.
Although the Truck Series raced at the Rock until 2013, the Xfinity Series marked its return for the first time since 2004. And the event was so huge that it brought Casey Kahne back to NASCAR. The last time he raced in the Cup Series was back in 2018, before health issues hindered his racing. But with historic tracks now getting the recognition they deserve, is there a possibility of seeing the Cup Series return to Rockingham anytime soon? Well, Kahne would be tempted to make a return to the premier series if the premier series returned to the Rock.
“I mean, the Cup race could probably be really good here. It used to be, I used to enjoy watching it or being a part of it, the one year. I was thinking on this on the way down this morning, that there’s so many racetracks with a pretty close span, like maybe six or seven. Understandable at the time that they wanted to go to California or Vegas or some of those tracks more, but yeah, I think this could be a really good track for NASCAR.” Kahne said in the pre-race interview.
There was a time when intermediate tracks popped up and short ovals were getting replaced. The likes of Chicagoland, Auto Club Speedway, and Kentucky Speedway all popped up after the 90s, and this is when Rockingham took a back seat. Not to forget the legal battle that raged between Roger Penske and Burton Smith from SMI that stalled racing at the Rock.
Well, with the new ownership and the $9 repave of the racetrack, the 0.94-mile track is back in NASCAR’s good books. And who knows, two or three years down the line, we might see the Cup Series make its return on the historic racetrack. Given how Kahne’s Xfinity Series race turned out, he will be on the lookout for redemption.
Kasey Kahne’s NASCAR return didn’t have a happy ending
The 45-year-old driver was one of the favorites to win the North Carolina Education 250 after qualifying fourth on Saturday morning. The #33 RCR Chevy was riding inside the top 10 in the first stage, but he was swept in a mess on Lap 53. William Sawalisch turned Katherine Legge, who then made contact with Kahne’s car.
There was major damage to the right front fender of the #33 car, which forced Kahne to head to the pit road and get the repair done. But despite the disadvantage, he regained his focus inside the car and got back on the lead lap. As the yellow fever caught on stage 3, Kahne made more gains as drivers started to run out of fuel and just wrecked into each other on chaotic restarts.
Kahne finished the race in 15th place but was bumped up to 14th after race winner Jesse Love was disqualified after the post-race inspection. Well, any other driver would’ve been bummed about not being able to compete as a clear favorite, but the former HMS driver was glad he had the opportunity to race at Rockingham. “It was really fun working with the RCR group, going to their shop, just being a part of the NASCAR team again. I don’t know about the future, but I’m really glad I did this.”
Well, there’s no clarity on whether or not Kasey Kahne will return to the ovals in the near future. But as long as NASCAR keeps bringing back the historic track on the schedule, drivers like Kahne will be tempted to make their return.
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