#9-Kasey Kahne Open Interview – Dodge Motorsports Transcript: CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW AT RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS? ARE YOU HAPPY? ARE YOU EXPLORING OTHER OPTIONS? [Kahne]”Im definitely not exploring other options. I have another year with Richard Petty Motorsports. The Gilletts have been good to me since I came here. I made a commitment to them to race thru 2010, so Ill do that for sure. Ive told them from the start that if we can get our cars to where theyre right and were competitive with the best teams out here, then I dont know why Id ever want to move from that company. I like the people (at RPM). From the guys building the race cars in the shop, the engine guys to the guys painting the cars, I have a good relationship with everybody. For me to leave, I wouldnt want to, but at the same time, I want to get a chance in some really good equipment too. I think that were working on that. If we get there, Ill stay with RPM for a long time.” WOULD YOU SAY THAT WOULD BE THE DECIDING FACTOR?”Yeah, thats my only factor. At the end of the day, I grew up racing Sprint cars and driving for my dad. When I had a chance to drive for Steve Lewis, it was a no-brainer. He had the best equipment that there was and I took it and we won a ton of races and basically nobodys done that since in USAC as far as the Midget series goes or before. I just feel like that at some point, I want that opportunity and hopefully it can be right where we are at.”(Dodge Motorsports PR)(4-17-2009) UPDATE: Rumors persist that #9-Kasey Kahne is exploring options outside of Richard Petty Motorsports even though he has one year left on his contract. It began with rumors that his primary sponsor, Budweiser, was stepping away after this season. The beer company knocked that one down in a hurry. Kahne did his best to dispel speculation that he is looking last weekend at Phoenix. “I’m definitely not exploring other options,” he said. “I have another year with Richard Petty Motorsports. The Gilletts have been good to me since I came here. I made a commitment to them to race through 2010, so I’ll do that for sure.” Beyond that? “I’ve told them from the start that if we can get our cars to where they’re right and we’re competitive with the best teams out here then I don’t know why I’d ever want to move from that company,” Kahne said. “For me to leave, I wouldn’t want to, but at the same time I want to get a chance in some really good equipment too. We’re working on that. If we get there, I’ll stay with RPM for a long time.”(ESPN)(4-25-2009)
