BRISTOL, Tenn. — Kasey Kahne went through many of the peaks and valleys of his stock-car racing career with a reassuring face atop his pit box in Kenny Francis. They’ve since taken different paths, but have remained close, personal friends even after their professional partnership ended four years ago.
That’s why the Thursday announcement of Kahne’s approaching transition away from full-time NASCAR racing hit home for Francis, a crucial figure in what was one of the longest-running driver-crew chief pairings in the sport’s modern age.
“I’m kind of sad. I love the guy, but at the same time, I hope and certainly wish him all the best,” Francis told NASCAR.com by phone Friday morning, adding that his initial reaction was one of mixed surprise. “I think hopefully it’ll be good for him. Hopefully he’s happy with his decision and he’s happy going down the road.”
Francis, now the Vehicle Technical Director for Hendrick Motorsports, served as Kahne’s crew chief from the 2005 season finale through the 2014 campaign. During that span, the two combined for 17 of Kahne’s 18 career wins in the Monster Energy Series.
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Their longevity was unique in that it survived team mergers, ownership changes and their own professional moves. The common thread was the ease of their communication — in part a product of their similar, reserved personalities.
“I guess what kept us together was the success that we did have at different times,” Francis said. “A lot of times, he would go drive for other teams like he always did good in Trucks, but he’d go drive Xfinity stuff … and sometimes he’d struggle, and he’d come back to us and we’d go win a race in the Cup Series. It’d be like, ‘Man, I guess we’ve got something good going here,’ so we always kind of hung together through that.”
The two remained close even after last season, when Kahne left Hendrick for Leavine Family Racing. But Francis says he sensed a change for the better in him when Kahne became a father with the arrival of his son, Tanner, in October 2015.
“When we worked together for so long, he was a single guy, a bachelor, no kid, no children, and I was married with two kids doing family life,” Francis said. “So I always knew, ‘Hey, when he has a kid, things are going to change,’ and I don’t think he realized that. … You never realize that until you actually become a father. It’s like, ‘Oh, whoa. Wait a minute. This is a whole different deal.’ And I think that’s probably catching up with him.”
Francis says he caught up with Kahne via text shortly after the announcement, and that he plans to call sometime next week for a more personal conversation when the news-cycle tempest slows down. But the announcement has given many in the garage a chance to reflect on Kahne’s legacy, Francis included.
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“It’s hard to say for me how the fans will remember him,” Francis said. “I think they’ll remember a guy that’s a pretty personable guy, pretty likable guy, pretty talented obviously and who won quite a few races — won more than most people win. I hope they’ll just see him as a good competitor and a stand-up guy and the honorable person that he is. That’s what I hope.”
As for Francis and his personal memories of Kahne’s time in NASCAR?
“He’s a friend of mine so it’s not like I’m going to forget him, right?” Francis said. “I don’t know, but I’ll remember him as a good friend and somebody that was great to work with. Man, I owe him a lot. Most of the success I’ve had is because of him. I don’t know what else to say. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I’m at. It takes a lot of people to make it all work over the years, but he’s a huge part of who I am.”