Kahne confident about post-Hendrick future

Having been a part of as well as having witnessed many great moments in NASCAR, Kasey Kahne doesn't want to be done yet.

Kahne was released from the final year of his contract with Hendrick Motorsports this week, something he was not all that surprised by. After digesting the news, Kahne has since begun looking for his next job.

"I started (having conversations) basically Sunday night, Monday," said Kahne. "Talked to some different owners and personnel at different teams just trying to show that I still want to be in the Cup Series. I want to race here, and if there's any opportunity, I'd love to talk about it.

"That's been really good. Everybody's been nice and talked about their programs, and it was really cool to have those conversations."

"He wants me in a car as well," Kahne said of Hendrick. "It didn't work out in the (No.) 5, but he wants me in another car, and he wants me to be out there racing next year. Between all that, I really think I'll be able to come up with something that will be very competitive and be in the Cup Series for a while to come."

An 18-time winner, Kahne joins others established drivers on the unemployment line. While Kahne's focus is on remaining in the top series, he also acknowledges opportunities are limited. 

But given how well he's performed in the past and with partners over the years, Kahne said, "I really think I can come up with something good that will be fun to be a part of, and also try to work hard to make that team better than it's ever been. And myself better than I've been.

"I still have that mindset, and I really hope that something works out so that I can be in a strong car next year and enjoy racing in the series. Because I've enjoyed it for so long and I've lived so many of the highs of the Cup Series."

Those moments include his own successes, like winning six races in 2006 (pictured above), as well as watching Jimmie Johnson win five straight championships. The year when Dale Earnhardt Jr. won at Bristol in the No. 8 car is something else Kahne will never forget, because it felt like thousands of fans were going to overtake the infield.

"I think I've lived a great part of the sport, been part of all that and I don't want to be done yet," Kahne said.

Friday was the first time Kahne had seen his team since the news, although he texted or had phone conversations with some of them during the week. Kahne said the atmosphere within the team hadn't changed.

"The vibe was good; the team was good," Kahne said. "Today was cool. Everybody seemed good and we kind of went to work like always and hope to put together a really strong weekend."