The return of racing to Rockingham Speedway has been one of the biggest storylines in the 2025 NASCAR season. On Friday, the mile-long track played host to the Truck Series and Tyler Ankrum won a race for the first time since 2019.
Saturday it was the Xfinity Series’ turn and a chance for another return, as former Cup star Kasey Kahne returned to NASCAR for his first race since 2018. The Hendrick Motorsports driver had a strong qualifying effort and started fourth.
After the drop of the green flag, the 45-year-old had a moment on Lap 4 coming out of Turn 4 when running underneath Jesse Love, got loose, wiggled, slid up the track and narrowly missed clipping the No. 2 car. Disaster averted.
Unfortunately for the 18-time Cup Series winner, he wasn’t able to avoid what happened at the end of the first stage when William Sawalich, who was running third, got into the left rear of a the lapped car piloted by Katherine Legge, which got sideways and slid down the track directly into the path of the No. 33.
Moments after it happened, fans were not happy with the driver of the No. 53 car, who failed to qualify for Jordan Andersen Racing, but worked out an arrangement with another Chevrolet team and replaced JJ Yeley in the Joey Gase Motorsports car.
Trouble for Katherine Legge, William Sawalich, and Kasey Kahne with the No. 53 getting the worst of it. pic.twitter.com/7QgoeRo1Y2
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) April 19, 2025
“Bummed for Kahne. Karma for Legge buying her way into a race she didn't deserve to even be in,” wrote one fan.
“Someone get her off the damn track and never let her race again,” another fan said. “You cannot take Kasey Kane out after Kasey Kane Friday.”
She didn't qualify for this race for a reason.
— CRJ (@CJJohns37859982) April 19, 2025
“What an absolute joke, feel bad for Kahne,” another fan wrote.
“She didn't qualify for this race for a reason,” suggested one fan.
“What the [Expletive] WAS THAT BY THE 53?!?!” another fan questioned. “Why did she slow down on a corner like that?!?!”
Related: Katherine Legge Returning for Multiple Cup and Xfinity Races This Season
