TEAM RELEASE
CONCORD, N.C. -- Kasey Kahne has been released from his driving duties with Richard Petty Motorsports effective immediately. Aric Almirola will drive the No. 9 Ford in the Sprint Cup Series race this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
The team's driver lineup beyond Martinsville is to be determined.
Kahne's release comes just days after the race at Charlotte, where Kahne had brake problems and smacked the wall, causing damage to his car that took several laps to repair. Only an ill-feeling Kahne did not return to the track along with his car, much to the dismay of at least one RPM team member.
The next morning, Kahne ran in his charity 5K event.
Kahne, who earlier this season signed with Hendrick Motorsports and will be loaned out to Red Bull next year before taking over the No. 5 car in 2012, has been visibly frustrated with his car's performance, or lack thereof. Kahne has in particular been critical of the recent brake troubles. In the past seven races, he has finished 28th or worse five times.
After making the Chase and winning twice in his first season under the Richard Petty Motorsports banner -- the latest version of the former Evernham Motorsports team for which he began his career -- Kahne is 21st in points and winless this season.
In his seventh full season, Kahne has 11 victories.
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