By Toby Christie (Follow on Twitter @Toby_Christie)
Although Kasey Kahne didn’t have a year-long celebration of his career coupled with fun and obnoxious retirement gifts from race tracks, and he did not get a big send off at the NASCAR Awards Banquet — as has been common place for recent retirement announcements by Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. — that didn’t stop some of Kahne’s family, friends and fellow racers from throwing a surprise retirement party for the 18-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race winner on Thursday night.
In a photo Tweeted by Kasey Kahne’s dirt racing team, you can certainly spot several heavy hitters in the NASCAR world. Chase Elliott, Clint Bowyer, Darian Grubb and Kenny Francis were among those who attended the event.
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
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Another fun thing about the party, was the hilarious decorations that trolled Kahne’s changing appearance throughout the years. Kahne’s PR rep from his year at Leavine Family Racing, Jessica Rohlik shared the hilarity with Twitter.
.@nascarcasm… were you on the decorating committee for KK’s retirement party?? ?? pic.twitter.com/CZybzjpXNp
— Jess Rohlik (@JessicaLRohlik) December 7, 2018
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More of your decorating on display tonight @nascarcasm… ?? pic.twitter.com/DY31SzKxjb
— Jess Rohlik (@JessicaLRohlik) December 7, 2018
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Bowyer took to Twitter to share his adulation of his great friend.
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
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After the party, Bowyer Tweeted that he believes Kahne should have been honored at the Cup Series Awards Banquet in Las Vegas.
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
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Kahne thanked everyone for the party, and even mentioned that the party wound up concluding at a Waffle House.
It may have been an under the radar way for one of the most popular and influential NASCAR drivers of the past couple decades to ride off into the sunset, but at least Kahne did get a chance to celebrate his brilliant NASCAR career.
