Kasey Kahne will race full time in 2027 with Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series.

The team announced the deal Wednesday, ahead of the February 19 season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

It marks Kahne’s first full-season return since 2018, when health issues ended his final Cup campaign.

Kahne, 46, brings 18 NASCAR Cup Series wins and recognition among NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

His résumé includes three Coca-Cola 600 victories at Charlotte, plus the 2017 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.

Although rarely seen in Trucks, his strike rate is exceptional: five wins from six starts, including a near-miss at Pocono in 2010.

He briefly returned to NASCAR in 2025, racing the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing at Rockingham.

Strong early pace put him fifth before contact compromised the run, and he recovered to finish 14th.

Since 2018, Kahne has focused on dirt racing, including a full Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing campaign last year.

He owns a six-time World of Outlaws championship team and earned his first series win as a driver at Williams Grove in May 2026.

Spire’s Truck program gains proven experience and leadership, assets that can accelerate setup direction and race execution.

The move also returns Kahne to a team unafraid of industry flashpoints, after recent management disputes that drew attention across the garage.

Spire has navigated multiple legal flare-ups in 2026, alongside ongoing litigation, and those off-track demands will run in parallel with competitive goals.

The 2027 opener at Daytona on February 19 offers a clean benchmark for Kahne and Spire, with superspeedway execution often determining early momentum.

Truck races run shorter than Cup but longer than sprint cars, a balance that may suit Kahne’s current fitness and heat-management needs.

After Rockingham in 2025, he was noncommittal about future starts, yet the Spire deal signals a full competitive reset.

Expectation management will be vital, but his record and experience suggest immediate race-winning potential if execution matches pace.

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John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.