Kahne excited about turning the page to Red Bull

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- After an admittedly wild week in which speculation has run rampant, Kasey Kahne attempted to answer as many questions as possible Friday at Martinsville Speedway.

And there were plenty.

Sound Off: Kahne

On Friday at Martinsville, Kasey Kahne opened up about his departure from Richard Petty Motorsports and his move to Red Bull Racing.

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With one of his new bosses by his side -- Jay Frye, general manager of Red Bull Racing -- Kahne talked about why he believed the timing was right to walk away from his old job at Richard Petty Motorsports to take on a new one earlier than anticipated. He also expressed regret that the transition ended up being more than a little messy.

Kahne will drive in Sunday's race at Martinsville for Red Bull. He will remain in the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota for the final five races of the 2010 Sprint Cup Series schedule, having worked out his release from RPM earlier in the week.

"Really, to me I was leaving. I was going on to get started on next year. It made sense for RPM to start working on their things for next year and for myself to get with the Red Bull guys at this point," Kahne said. "It's kind of a jump-start on next year. That's what I see it as. That's the biggest thing.

"It's been kind of a crazy week. There have been a lot of different things going on and maybe different opinions on what happened or what's going to happen and that kind of stuff. I'm just looking forward to this weekend and I'm happy that I'm in the Red Bull car. Hopefully, I can work well with this group of guys and go pretty fast at times."

Kahne's separation from RPM went pretty fast after he complained about his brakes going bad early in last Saturday night's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Soon thereafter, he was out of the car -- the No. 9 Ford he had driven all season -- never to return.

He complained that he was feeling ill, reportedly exchanged heated words with a RPM team official who told him he "needed to start doing his part" and soon thereafter relief driver J.J. Yeley was behind the wheel to take the No. 9 car to the finish.

"Last weekend, Saturday night, to have a problem like we had on Lap 30, that just doesn't happen at a track that you don't use very much brake at. And then to [have it] happen before. ... We'd had things go on throughout the season," Kahne said. "At that point in time, it was difficult and I think the timing of all this made sense."

Kahne already was slated to drive for Red Bull in 2011, for one season only before beginning a long-term deal to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. His sudden arrival at Red Bull for the final five races this season sets off an instant ripple effect that will require other questions to be answered in due time.

Frye addressed some of those Friday. He denied that any definitive decision has been made on the fate of driver Scott Speed, yet also admitted that the two-car organization is planning for the return next season of Brian Vickers from the medical condition that sidelined the original driver of the No. 83 Toyota earlier this season. (Continued)