Kahne to Hendrick in 2011?

Update (4/14/10): Smith tweets today that one reason Kahne was attracted to HMS deal was the commitment to honoring the deal with Mark Martin. Kahne was also aware there would be a degree of uncertainty concerning the deal.

Kahne will bring a lot of fans to HMS.

Marty Smith of ESPN.com is reporting that Kasey Kahne will be joining the Hendrick Motorsports family beginning in 2011. Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Ford, is in the final year of his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports.

Smith attempted to contact all the involved parties, but either there were no comments made or no response.

This is a huge blow to RPM. Kahne is a popular driver among NASCAR fans and the possibility of losing the Bud sponsorship could go along with Kahne. Considering the state of financial affairs at RPM, this could not have occurred at a worse time. While the current version of RPM is making money, a restructuring of debt is in the process, but without Kahne, making money may have become just a tad harder.

Smith also states that Kahne could eventually replace Mark Martin in the #5 ride. Martin is signed through the end of 2011. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is signed through 2013, Jimmie Johnson is locked up through 2015 and Jeff Gordon has a lifetime deal. Common sense dictates the #5 car as Kahne's future.

Since an owner can only field four cars in a race, what will Hendrick do with Kahne in 2011 if Martin stays? Since HMS provides support for Stewart Haas Racing, Smith theorizes Kahne could run there for next season. If Martin chooses to leave, then Kahne's immediate Hendrick future is obvious.

If the sources are correct, once again, Rick Hendrick and his staff pull off a great signing as he did by stealing Dale Earnhardt, Jr. from then-DEI in 2008. Snagging Kahne fortifies HMS with a stable of popular drivers that display the ability to sell merchandise due that popularity. Considering the amount of fan support for Dale, Jr., Gordon and Johnson, the HMS fanbase increased significantly.

That brings in money, too.

For all Kahne fans, here ya go.