Kahne to finish 2010 with Red Bull

Kahne was released from his driving duties by Richard Petty Motorsports on Wednesday night after a fall-out between the two parties last Saturday during the fifth round of the Chase, where Kahne crashed following brake issues.

The 30-year-old had already signed a deal to race for Red Bull next year before moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, and he will now get a head start on his 2011 campaign with the outfit. He will drive the #83 Red Bull Toyota in the five races remaining of the 2010 season, getting behind the wheel for the first time on Friday during official practice for Sunday's race at Martinsville.

"With our agreement only being for one year, there is a great sense of urgency to get started on 2011," said the Red Bull team's vice-president and general manager Jay Frye. "With Kasey coming earlier than planned, we are excited to have a five-race headstart."

Jimmy Elledge will be Kahne's crew chief from this weekend, but his RPM crew chief Kenny Francis is expected to move to Red Bull with him next year.

Aric Almirola will drive RPM's #9 car this weekend, but no firm plans have been revealed by the team for the next four races, which will be the last few for Budweiser as the car's sponsor before it moves on to Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick's car.

Kahne will be the fifth driver at the wheel of the #83 Red Bull Toyota this year, as three others have shared the drive following Brian Vickers' diagnosis with blood clots in May.

The team still has to reveal its full driver line-up for 2011, with Vickers and Scott Speed as the leading candidates for a seat alongside Kahne.