Equal Opportunity For Manufacturers

He started his career driving a dodge in 2004. He's been driving a Ford all season. He's driving a Toyota for 2011. And, he's driving a Chevy in 2012.

There was much speculation as to where Kasey Kahne would end up for next season; whether he would be with Hendrick Motorsports right away, or whether he would go to Stewart-Haas Racing. He signed with HMS in early April to take over the #5 Chevy for 2012, which is currently being driven by Mark Martin. But now that speculation can be put aside. It was announced today that Kasey Kahne will be heading over to Red Bull Racing for the 2011 Sprint Cup season.

The current RBR drivers include Scott Speed and Brian Vickers. Vickers has been out of the car since May, due to blood clots in his legs. There is suspicion to think that Speed is out of the #82 car next year; some critics think this is due to his lack of performance on the track. Jay Frye, RBR's general manager, will determine Speed's future by the end of August. It won't be known, either, if Vickers will be able to get back in the #83 next year until November.

Kasey will probably become one of the first drivers to drive for all of the NASCAR manufacturers. This is a great opportunity for them, in my opinion. Ever since Kahne burst on the Cup scene in '04, everyone involved in NASCAR was marketing him as the next superstar. The past few seasons, he hasn't been able to rack up the big stats, but has a bright future ahead of him. He's made NASCAR history, and there's more history to be made.

Until next time, I'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line.