Kasey Kahne on Thursday announced his plans to retire as a full-time Cup series driver after this season, and MOTORSPORT.com's Jim Utter reported Kahne not only turned down a "two-year deal to remain at Leavine Family Racing next season" but he also "turned down an opportunity to speak to Stewart-Haas Racing about an opening to its No. 41 Ford team." Sources said that a rep for SHR "reached out recently to speak with Kahne about his interest in the No. 41." but Kahne had "already made up his mind." A move to SHR would have "placed Kahne with one of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ most successful teams this season" (MOTORSPORT.com, 8/16).
NEXT BIG THING: In Ft. Worth, Drew Davison notes NASCAR hopes driver Chase Elliott eventually "develops into a big-time personality," but consistently winning is the "only way that will happen for Elliott or any other budding driver such as Ryan Blaney or Bubba Wallace." Driver Kurt Busch said, "If they start collecting wins, that's going to help the sport just like with Tiger Woods." NASCAR is in "desperate need of those drivers to become superstars, especially after so many big names have left the sport in recent years." Driver Alex Bowman: "I don't think Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, obviously Jeff made a big splash as soon as he got in, but it took time to develop their personalities and their fan bases. I just think it takes time" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 8/17).
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass listed seven people NASCAR "should consider for its CEO position," and what each would "bring and the challenges each could face." Pockrass listed the following: McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown; Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel; former Lowe's CEO Robert Niblock; Coca-Cola Senior VP & Chief Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Officer Bea Perez; Bruin Sports Capital Founder & CEO George Pyne; Perform Group Exec Chair John Skipper; and Roush Yates Racing President & CEO Doug Yates (ESPN.com, 8/15).
