Keith Rodden – NASCAR Crew Chief, Kasey Kahne, Hendrick Motorsports
Michelle Hoskin, January 12, 2015
@racegearcom
This week we had the opportunity to chat with Hendrick Motorsports new Crew Chief for #5, Kasey Kahne, Keith Rodden. Rodden is no stranger to the racing world in the least, despite his young age of 33; Keith has worked with Andy Petree, Evernham Motorsports, and Chip Ganassi Racing. Kahne’s former Crew Chief, Kenny Francis, will stay on as Vehicle Technical Director for Hendrick Motorsports.
Our Interview:
Michelle Hoskin: Your return to Hendrick Motorsports…this time to crew chief Kasey Kahne. Your thoughts?
Keith Rodden: “Opportunities like this don’t come around often. The people at Hendrick Motorsports are like my family, especially in the 5/24 shop. I expect we’ll have great chemistry right off the bat, which should make for a smooth transition. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running with the No. 5 Farmers Insurance team and everyone who supports us. Kasey and I have developed a great friendship over the years so I couldn’t be more excited to be back at Hendrick Motorsports and have the chance to work with him again.” “Keith is one of the most talented young crew chiefs in the garage.” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick. “He already knows our culture and works extremely well with our people. The relationships and familiarity he has with Kenny, Kasey and the No. 5 team will make it easy to hit the ground running. We talk a lot about ‘fit factor,’ and this definitely falls into that category. He’s the right fit.”(1)
Keith Rodden
MH: Your educational background?
KR: “I graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in mechanical engineering.”
MH: Your family?
KH: “Wife Julie and daughter Emmie.” Keith and Julie have been married since 2009 and have a 3 year old daughter, Emmie.
MH: If you could relive one special moment in your life, what would it be and why?
KR: “The birth of our child, Emmie. There’s nothing more beautiful than witnessing the birth of your child and to see a new life be brought into this world.”
MH: Your favorite driver while growing up?
KR: “Harry Gant.” Gant retired from Winston Cup and Busch Series racing at the end of the 1994 season. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame on April 27, 2006.
MH: Your favorite non-racing activity?
KR: “I enjoy watching other sports.”
Kasey Kahne, Chicagoland Speedway Driver Intros, September 2014
MH: Your favorite off-track sports?
KR: “Basketball, football and soccer.”
MH: If you could meet ANYONE, from any time period etc., who would it be and why? KR: “Abraham Lincoln because I would want to know how he kept to his plan and managed to get enough people to line up together.” Referring to Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan…
MH: Your favorite part of your job?
KR: “Working in a highly competitive and fast-paced team environment.”
MH: Your favorite candy?
KR: “When you don’t eat much candy, it’s all your favorite but I do have a particular liking for Andes mints.”
MH: Who do you see as a promising ‘young’ driver coming up right now?
KR: “Chase Elliott is an obvious choice but since he is a NXS Champion, Christopher Bell and Ben Rhodes are two I have my eye on.”
Keith Rodden
Reference
http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/keith-rodden-named-kasey-kahne-crew-chief-kenny-francis-reassigned-111914. Accessed on January 10th, 2014.
External Links:
http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/
@KeithRodden
@TeamHendrick
@KaseyKahne
