Kasey Kahne is a name that still carries a certain weight in the pits. Most people remember the baby-faced kid from Enumclaw, Washington, who took the NASCAR world by storm in the early 2000s. They remember the 18 Cup wins, the back-to-back poles, and that final, grueling victory at the Brickyard in 2017. But if you’ve been paying attention to the dirt tracks lately, you know the narrative has shifted completely.
Honestly, the transition from paved superspeedways back to the mud and clay of kasey kahne sprint car racing wasn't just a hobby. It was a lifeline.
As we roll into 2026, the landscape of Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR) is undergoing its most radical transformation since the team was founded back in 2005. The big news that’s been buzzing through the High Limit Racing circles? Brad Sweet, the man who delivered five consecutive World of Outlaws titles for Kahne, has officially stepped away from full-time touring. That is a massive void. You don’t just "replace" a driver who has over 100 national wins in your equipment.
But Kasey has always been a bit of a gambler when it comes to talent.
The New Blood: Daison Pursley and the 2026 Shift
If you haven't heard of Daison Pursley, you’re about to. Kasey Kahne basically looked at the 21-year-old Oklahoma native and said, "You're the guy." Pursley is taking over the flagship No. 9 machine for a full-time run in the High Limit Racing series this year.
It’s a "full circle" moment, as Pursley likes to put it. He grew up racing with the number 9, even using the KKK-style "swoosh" in his font because he idolized Kasey. Now, he's carrying the NAPA Auto Parts colors—the same sponsorship that became synonymous with Brad Sweet’s dominance.
Wait, what about Kasey himself?
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People keep asking when Kasey is getting back in the seat. The truth is a little more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." During the 2025 season, Kasey ran a heavy schedule with High Limit, but as of right now in early 2026, he’s leaning hard into the owner role. He’s admitted that the physical toll of 410 sprint car racing is no joke. Those cars are essentially 900-horsepower engines strapped to a roll cage that weighs less than a Honda Civic. The G-forces are brutal.
Why Kasey Stepped Back (The Health Factor)
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The reason Kasey left NASCAR in 2018 wasn't because he lost his edge. It was severe dehydration and heat exhaustion issues that were literally shutting his body down during long races.
Sprint car races are short. Usually 30 to 40 laps.
You’d think that would be easier on him, and for a while, it was. But even in the dirt world, the "grind" of a 60-race national tour is relentless. Kasey’s 2025 campaign saw some flashes of the old brilliance—like those podium finishes at Kern Raceway and Central Arizona—but it also saw him finish 14th in points. For a guy used to winning, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
In late 2025, Kasey was pretty open about the fact that he was shelving his personal No. 9 team for a bit to focus on the business. He wants to make sure Pursley has every single resource needed to keep the KKR dynasty alive. It's not a "silent retirement," but it’s definitely a pivot.
The KKR Dynasty by the Numbers
To understand why kasey kahne sprint car racing matters to the sport, you have to look at what that shop in Mooresville has actually accomplished. They aren't just another team; they're the standard-setters.
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- Six National Championships: Daryn Pittman got the first in 2013, followed by Brad Sweet’s historic run from 2019 to 2023.
- Over 200 Wins: Between the Outlaws and High Limit, KKR cars are almost always in the mix.
- Innovation: They were one of the first teams to really bring "NASCAR-level" professionalism and data to the dirt world.
The 2026 season is a "prove it" year. Without Sweet in the 49 and with Kasey focusing on the wrenches and the spreadsheets, can the team stay at the top? Pursley has the talent—he swept the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora, which is a feat only a few legends like Jack Hewitt and Kyle Larson have ever done. But the pressure of driving for KKR is a different beast entirely.
What Most People Get Wrong About Kasey’s Dirt Career
There's this weird misconception that Kasey is just a "retired NASCAR guy" playing with toys.
Nope.
Kasey was a sprint car driver before he was a NASCAR star. He won the USAC National Midget title in 2000. He grew up at Skagit Speedway. When he’s at the track, he isn't in a suite; he’s usually under the car, covered in grease, talking about torsion bars and wing angles.
The struggle in recent years hasn't been a lack of skill. It’s been the evolution of the cars. Sprint car racing in 2026 is a game of millimeters. If your shock package is off by a click, you're 15th. Kasey has struggled at times to find that "feel" that modern drivers like David Gravel or Carson Macedo have dialed in.
The 2026 Outlook: Where to See the Team
If you’re looking to follow the team this year, here’s the deal:
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- The High Limit Tour: This is where the KKR No. 9 will live. With NAPA on the side and Pursley behind the wheel, they are hunting a championship.
- Kasey’s "One-Offs": Keep an eye on the schedule for races in Washington state or big events like the Knoxville Nationals. Kasey hasn't ruled out climbing back in for the races he truly loves.
- The NASCAR Rumors: Interestingly, there’s been some chatter about Kasey doing a few more "fun" starts in the NASCAR Truck Series or the Xfinity Series, similar to his Rockingham appearance last year with RCR. He’s 45, but he’s still fast.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Racers
If you’re a fan trying to keep up or a driver looking at the KKR model as the gold standard, here is how the team actually operates in 2026.
For the Fans: Stop looking for Kasey on the entry list every Tuesday night. Instead, watch how he coaches Pursley. The real story of kasey kahne sprint car racing right now is the mentorship. If you go to a race, look for the guy in the KKR hat standing on the back of the work truck—that’s Kasey, and he’s probably analyzing the track surface more intensely than anyone else there.
For the Technical Nerds:
KKR moved away from the World of Outlaws to the High Limit Series because of the flexibility and the ownership stake. This is a business move. If you want to see the best equipment in the world, watch the No. 9 car's setup during the West Coast swing in August. That’s where the team usually finds their "speed" secret sauce.
Support the Local Scenes:
Kasey always says the best way to support the sport isn't just following him—it’s going to your local dirt track. Whether it's Skagit, Williams Grove, or Eldora, the ecosystem of sprint car racing depends on the gate.
Kasey Kahne’s legacy isn't going to be defined by his 18 NASCAR wins. It’s going to be defined by the fact that he took his NASCAR money, went back to his roots, and built a team that gave the next generation a seat. That is the real 9 car story.
To stay updated on the team’s progress, check the official KKR social channels or the High Limit Racing live streams. The 2026 season is officially the "Pursley Era," and it's going to be a wild ride to see if the kid can keep those NAPA colors in victory lane.