Kahne not medically cleared to race this week

Kasey Kahne will not return to NASCAR Cup Series racing this week at Dover International Speedway, as he remains sidelined while continuing to work with doctors to address why he was suffering severe dehydration issues during races.

Kahne, who announced in August that he will retire from full-time Cup racing after this season, has missed the last four races. His full-time Cup career could already be over; just seven races, including Dover, remain in the 2018 season.

He tested Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway under a NASCAR policy that allows an injured driver to test with doctors present, in order to determine whether he is OK to race. The doctors determined Kahne will not be able to return at Dover.

“Leavine Family Racing continues to work with Kahne and his medical team,” the team said in a statement.

Kahne was 27th in the standings following his last race, Sept. 2 at Darlington Raceway. During the event, he had difficulty seeing and was feeling nauseous during the final 100 laps because of dehydration. He was sweating so profusely, he could not keep enough water in his body, and then felt too nauseous to drink more water.

Regan Smith has replaced Kahne the last four events and is expected to continue as the substitute driver.

Kahne, 38, has competed in the last 15 seasons of NASCAR Cup Series racing. He has 18 wins and 93 top-5s in 529 career starts.