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Kahne considers leaving RPM

Saturday, November 21, 2009
(Updated Monday, November 23 - 10:06 am)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Kasey Kahne might be maxed out at RPM.

Kahne is strongly considering bolting Richard Petty Motorsports after his contract expires next season because of the instability surrounding the organization and will start shopping around for a new team in January.

Kahne has been disgruntled with many parts of RPM this season, including a planned merger with Yates Racing that has yet to happen. Kahne says the company needs to become focused and resolve its lingering issues in the offseason.

"The ups and downs of the team has made it difficult for me to really say, 'Man, I'm going to be here for 10 years,'" Kahne said Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "I really don't know what's going to happen."

Kahne said he has not heard from majority owner George Gillett Jr. about a contract.

QUALFYING: Jimmie Johnson won the pole but it was a lap in practice that he talked about afterward. He won the pole with a lap of 173.919 mph. Rookie Scott Speed is next at 172.695. He's followed by Marcos Ambrose (172.678 mph), Mark Martin (172.353) and Tony Stewart (172.243).

Johnson says he nearly wrecked during practice Friday.

"I went into (turn) 3 with too much speed,'' he said. "I started moving up the track and I crossed the line where the maximum grip was. I really thought I was hitting the wall.''

STAYING PUT: Hendrick Motorsports announced Friday that it has signed Johnson to a contract extension through 2015. Sponsor Lowe's has signed through 2013. Car owner Rick Hendrick said he's working on an extension with crew chief Chad Knaus.

Hendrick also said Jeff Gordon won't be leaving the sport soon: "Jeff and I have an agreement. As long as he drives in Cup, he's going to drive our car. I'm hoping he's going to drive a bunch more years. We know it's going to be at least three or four."

TRUCKS: Kevin and Delana Harvick were an extremely happy couple Friday night.

Kevin Harvick made a late pass to cap a dominating show to win the season-ending Trucks Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and wife Delana clinched the owners' championship when Ron Hornaday Jr. — who had already wrapped up his fourth Trucks title — finished eighth.

"That's the way to put an end to a year, right there!" Harvick shrieked into the radio as he crossed the line.

Kevin Harvick went into the pit after Ryan Sieg went into the wall and brought out a caution flag with seven laps left. Harvick passed Peters in the very first turn after the restart and cruised to the win. And then Harvick and Hornaday went side-by-side after the checkered fell, sending thick plumes of white burnout smoke into the air.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com

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