Kasey Kahne’s NASCAR career came to an unfortunate and unceremonious end this year when dehydration issues kept him from competing in the final 11 races of the season.
Kahne, 38, saw his last start in the Sept. 2 Southern 500. He ended his career with 529 Cup starts, 18 wins, 93 top fives and 176 top 10s.
The Cup Awards banquet came and went without any acknowledgement of Kahne and his accomplishments, which included three Coke 600 wins and a victory in the 2017 Brickyard 400, his last win career win.
But Thursday night saw Kahne get a send off with a surprise retirement party. By the end of the night, the party wound up at a Waffle House according to Kahne.
Oh hi @kaseykahne. Surprise retirement (stock cars of course) party for KK tonight with a few of his closest friends. 🍻 pic.twitter.com/MUYdC1itLh
— Kasey Kahne Racing (@KKRdirt) December 6, 2018
When the night ends at Waffle House. You know it was one heck of a surprise party. Thank you to all my friends and family last night. I love you all https://t.co/N8TtZKJ488
— Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) December 7, 2018
Had a lot of fun celebrating @kaseykahne nascar career last night a lot of great stories and great memories! can’t wait to race against you a lot more this year buddy! Congrats on @NASCAR career most of us could only dream about!
— . (@BradSweet49) December 7, 2018
Clint Bowyer was among those in attendance. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver congratulated Kahne on his career on Twitter and then was critical of the fact that Kahne wasn’t recognized in some form at the banquet in Las Vegas last week.
Celebrated @kaseykahne career tonight. What a ride it has been, and what a friend he’s been along the way. Love ya buddy!!!
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) December 7, 2018
If a guy puts in more than 10 years of his life or so into @NASCAR. I do hope they figure out a way to recognize his being there somehow as we go along. Kasey should’ve been recognized at the banquet for all he’s given he sport.
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) December 7, 2018
The Kasey Kahne Racing Twitter account then took a dig at any critics of Kahne’s career with a simple, yet provocative picture of Kahne and his trophy case.
“Barely average.” pic.twitter.com/Xbsk9yACqs
— Kasey Kahne Racing (@KKRdirt) December 7, 2018