Kasey Kahne, Hendrick Motorsports Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and More

Kasey Kahne and Hendrick Motorsports reached an agreement on a three-year contract to keep one of NASCAR's most popular drivers with his current team through 2018.

Hendrick Motorsports announced the new deal on its official site. The report included comments from both Kahne and team owner Rick Hendrick.

The driver talked about the comfort level he's found in his current position.

"I've found a home at Hendrick Motorsports," he said. "We have incredible people and partners supporting us, and I couldn't be more excited about the direction we're headed as a team and a company. It's the right place for me, and I'm looking forward to being here for a long time."

Hendrick said the reason for the extension goes beyond his on-track performance.

"It's extremely gratifying to work with a driver like Kasey," he said. "I think the world of him both as a driver with championship-level talent and an overall terrific young man. Our whole organization has a great deal of respect for how hard he works, the professionalism he displays with our partners and the way he carries himself every day. We're committed to winning races and competing for titles with him for many years to come."

Kahne is coming off an often frustrating 2014 campaign that saw him finish 15th in the standings. He did win a race, marking the fourth straight year in which he found Victory Lane at least once. He has 17 victories in his 11-year career so far.

His original contract was set to expire after next season. The extension brings some added stability to the situation as he gets prepared to work with new crew chief Keith Rodden in 2015 after an extended partnership with Kenny Francis.