CONCORD, N.C. -- In the 2015 season, Kasey Kahne was faced with plenty of change.
It started with a new crew chief atop the No. 5 team pit box in Keith Rodden. But perhaps the biggest change came in his life away from the track.
Kahne became a father to a baby boy -- Tanner Lee Kahne.
"It’s been a blast," Kahne smiled. "A lot of learning. It’s so neat to see how quickly he progresses in so many different ways. I’ve enjoyed every bit."
Kahne introduced the world to his son on Twitter when he was born in October, and he has posted sporatic updates via social media as Tanner continues to grow.
And the driver has loved being along for the ride. He even acknowledged that Tanner is a great sleeper, so he hasn't had to deal with an excess of restless nights.
In fact, he said he couldn't possibly pick a favorite part of being a father.
"Anything to go with raising a little boy -- from changing diapers, feeding, smiling, starting to teethe," he explained. "It’s just something new every week. It’s a cool process and it’s been a very simple process to learn and understand and I’ve really enjoyed it."
That is what has surprised him the most -- that despite the lack of an instruction manual, parents quickly learn what their child needs.
"The things that are thrown at you, you don’t really know what you’re getting into," he laughed. "At first it’s like, ‘Eh, can I do this?’ and, ‘Do I need to know anything?’ But you just learn it. It just happens and you get better at it and I understand what Tanner’s looking for, what he wants, the things that make him happy or not. It’s just a process and it’s been great."
It has also given him even more motivation on the track as he looks to continue building toward continued success in his second season with Rodden.
"When those things happen -- when you become a father, where your career is at, what team you’re racing for, what type of car you’re in -- timing is big," Kahne said. "But I think to have Tanner and have him around, things will be a motivation for me in a way for sure to perform.
"When he actually knows what’s going on, I want him to see his dad going fast."