According to multiple sources, the 30-year-old has inked a contract to drive for NASCAR's top team, where he is expected to become the long-term replacement for veteran Mark Martin, who is set to leave the team at the end of next season.
However, with all seats filled at Hendrick for next year as the team's drivers are signed at least until 2012, it is still unclear which car Kahne will be driving in 2011.
Stewart-Haas Racing currently runs Hendrick engines and chassis for Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, and driver and team owner Stewart has not denied the possibility of running a third car in the future in the right circumstances.
Richard Petty Motorsports officials confirmed that Kahne, whose contract with the outfit was up this year, will leave the team at the end of the season.
"Kasey is a very talented driver and I have enjoyed watching him race," said the team's co-owner and seven time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Richard Petty. "We all wish him nothing but the best and hope he succeeds in anything he chooses to do."
Kahne entered the Cup series in 2004 with Evernham Motorsports, which then bacame Gillet Evernham in 2007. Before the 2009 season started and with Ray Evernham already out of the outfit, the team was renamed Richard Petty Motorsports.
The team switched from its long-time partner Dodge to race under the Ford banner this year, but Kahne currently languishes down in 26th place in the drivers' standings.
Kahne has been a Chase contender twice, the last time in 2009, when he finished 10th in the points. His best season came in 2006, when he won six races and finished eighth in the championship.
Budweiser, current sponsor for Kahne at RPM, backed Hendrick Motorsports' #25 and #50 cars between 1994 and 1999. It is still unknown whether the company will move with Kahne to his new team.
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