Rockingham Speedway has always been a challenging venue. The D-shaped oval is difficult to navigate on, even for the best of drivers. With Michael Waltrip saying that the newer generation doesn’t know “just how tough that place was,” they are soon going to find out! The track long-awaited its Xfinity and Truck Series return, and the excitement and anticipation are at an all-time high. Over a decade has passed since a NASCAR race was held at the track, and many racers will rely on simulators to get their hang of the 1.017-mile layout. But what if someone who is a veteran of the track shows up?

Guess we will find out this Saturday, as veteran Kasey Kahne is all set to get back into NASCAR through the Xfinity series. And do you know what’s more interesting? He once relied on a very unusual training method to get a result at Rockingham Speedway, one that almost led to a win. And by ‘almost’ we mean his opponent squeaked out the victory, winning by just a tenth of a second from him in the final 2004 Cup race! With his return to the Xfinity Series on the horizon, can he turn back the clock after this long hiatus?

Kasey Kahne is in it to win it

It seems like Rockingham Speedway isn’t the only thing making a comeback this weekend. Kasey Kahne is all set to make his sensational NASCAR return in Saturday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at the 1.017-mile track. Driving the No. 33 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, the 45-year-old will look to secure a result on the very first track he drove a stock car at.

During his rookie Cup Series season in 2004, Kasey Kahne, under the guidance of crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., was made to carry an egg for two days before the race in Rockingham. It was an unorthodox training regime which was meant to help the Washington native understand the exact pressure needed on the throttle to get a result. The strategy nearly worked, as the training instilled some finesse in his race craft that would be necessary at the track.

Starting the race in third place, Kasey Kahne knew he had his work cut out for him. He was competing against the likes of Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray, seasoned racers who wouldn’t go down without a fight. Even though the #17 Ford held the lead, Kahne’s No. 9 Dodge chased him relentlessly, hugging the bottom line. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough, forcing the Washington native to finish second. However, would a runner-up finish have been possible without the ‘egg’ training?

Kahne didn’t stop impressing at Rockingham Speedway, even though the track didn’t return to the Cup Series after 2004. He went on to win the 2012 Truck Series race at ‘The Rock’, highlighting his racing prowess at the track. He has plenty of experience at the 1.017-mile oval, with a total of five Xfinity races, one truck race, and one Cup race under his belt. Now, he’s all set to make a comeback at the iconic venue once again, hoping to prove he still has what it takes to compete in the Xfinity Series. But things have changed quite a bit.

In 2021, Rockingham underwent a $9 million overhaul, which included renovated grandstands, a repavement, SAFER barriers, and the installation of a new catchfence. Despite the modifications, Kahne was blown away by how similar it was to the original track during January’s two-day test session. He said, “I didn’t even know it was repaved until after I was far into the whole trying to make it happen. That was a surprise that it had been repaved, the grip level, and the smoothness. Overall, it’s still pretty similar.” This was something he had shared with Chase Elliott as well.

Will that familiarity help him get the result this time around? Time will tell. Given how effective the ‘egg’ strategy seemed to be in 2004, could he opt for the same approach ahead of the upcoming 250-lap race? It’s not beyond the realm of possibility. Kasey Kahne will always have a special connection with Rockingham, and the racer will aim to give his all at the North Carolina Education Lottery 250. But, after so many years, how did Kahne make up his mind to return to NASCAR?

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Kahne sheds light on reasons behind NASCAR return

Kasey Kahne knew that he had unfinished business in NASCAR. The veteran driver was forced to retire from stock car racing during the 2018 season because of medical reasons, but kept his competitive spirit alive. Dirt tracks became his new home, and he drove a winged Sprint Car for the racing team he owns. Recognized as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, the Washington native also achieved tremendous success as a team owner, winning six World of Outlaws championships.

But that didn’t satisfy the itch. Revealing the reasons behind his return, Kahne said, “I saw this Rockingham race pop up, and I said, man, that’s a track I know and I’ve enjoyed racing at over the years. I started reaching out and trying to find a way to get back into it and do a race.” He went on to say, “I just wanted to do this one race, work with this group. It’s actually really cool; it came together really quick[ly]. They’ve given me a great opportunity, and a lot of really good people at RCR.”

Kahne may have missed out on his Cup Series triumph back in 2004, but he’ll be fixated on making every lap count this time around. Opportunities in NASCAR don’t come around every day, and given the unpredictable nature of the industry, this could potentially be his last appearance in the sport. “I’m doing it to do everything that I can to win the race,” he said, going into the weekend, and fans would expect nothing less.