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(AP) --  Kasey Kahne has been released from
Richard Petty Motorsports effective immediately.

 The team said Wednesday night that Kahne will not be in the No.
9 Ford this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Instead, Aric
Almirola will drive the car.

 Almirola had been scheduled to drive the No. 83 for Red Bull
Racing this weekend. It's now likely that Kahne will drive that car
at Martinsville.

 Kahne earlier this season signed with Hendrick Motorsports for
2012. He's scheduled to drive for Red Bull next season as a
one-year stopgap.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)