Dale Earnhardt Jr., co-owner of the zMAX CARS Tour, recently expressed his desire for former NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, and Matt Kenseth to join his stock car racing series. He warmly invited the trio of racing legends, asserting that the series can benefit greatly from their unique expertise and experience.
The refulgent racing careers of Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, and Matt Kenseth have made them among the stars of NASCAR in the 2000s. Kenseth clinched the Cup series championship with Roush Racing (now RFK Racing) in 2003, while Bowyer and Kahne consistently showcased strong seasons, posing formidable challenge against the race line-up in pursuit of the title.
Anticipating the upcoming stop of the CARS Tour at Orange County Speedway, Earnhardt Jr. shared his wish for these three greats to participate in his short track contests. He believes that the CARS Tour and the former NASCAR drivers, including recent addition, Ryan Newman, hold immense mutual potential for growth and learning.
Despite retiring from professional racing, these NASCAR stars have maintained connections with the stock car racing circuit. Kahne made a recent return to NASCAR for a one-off performance with Richard Childress Racing at Rockingham Speedway. Kenseth assumed the role of advisor at Legacy Motor Club, a race team affiliated with Toyota and co-owned by seven-time victor, Jimmie Johnson. Clint Bowyer, on the other hand, has been lending his expertise to the Fox broadcasting team alongside 2014 Cup Series champion, Kevin Harvick.
Earnhardt Jr. expressed his hope to see Kahne participating in more races. Particularly, his former teammate at Hendrick Motorsports should run on pavement ovals, as opposed to dirt tracks. Kahne’s return to Rockingham Speedway marked the end of a seven-year hiatus from the series, induced by health issues in 2018. The race not only marked his comeback, but also commemorated his debut at the same track, dating back to 2002.
Capping the eventful comeback, Kahne earned respect, finishing the race at 15th position under Richard Childress Racing. However, he subsequently advanced to the 14th spot following an unfortunate disqualification of Jesse Love due to failing the post-race inspection. This very race saw Sammy Smith, one of Earnhardt Jr.’s contenders under JR Motorsports, snatch his first win of 2025.
The return of Kasey Kahne and the prospective involvement of such respected veterans as Clint Bowyer and Matt Kenseth undoubtedly usher an exciting age for CARS Tour and its fans. This positive wave of enthusiasm and anticipation could spark renewed interest in the sport and potentially open up new opportunities for aspiring racers.
