Kasey Kahne will not make the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The 2017 winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will not be driving for Leavine Family Racing due to heat exhaustion.
Kahne felt nauseous during last weeekend’s race at Darlington Raceway and quit taking liquids towards the end of the event. That left the driver who is retiring at the end of the season to have to get IVs in both arms.
“I just can’t control the temperature in my body and my heart rate. Once it gets to that point, there’s nothing I can do until I get out of the car. We’re still trying to figure that out. That’s why I’m not racing this weekend, I don’t want to create any more damage to myself or my body.”
Kahne is hopeful to return next week at Las Vegas.
“It definitely worries me,” Kahne said on Friday. “But if we can come up with a solution to stay hydrated throughout the race prior to them and we feel really comfortable with it, then I’ll be in Las Vegas.”
Regan Smith will get the chance to fill in for Kahne at the Brickyard.
