Kahne OK for Daytona after knee surgery

Kasey Kahne isn't expected to be slowed by offseason knee surgery. The Hendrick Motorsports driver expects to participate in all of the Daytona International Speedway activities despite undergoing outpatient surgery Friday morning.

Kahne, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, had an MRI Thursday after experiencing swelling in his left knee. The MRI revealed a torn meniscus, which was treated this morning with a partial medial meniscus removal, according to a team release.

He was released from an outpatient facility in Charlotte following the procedure.

The team says in a release that Kahne will practice, qualify and race throughout NASCAR's season-opening Speedweeks, and Hendrick Motorsports has no plans to have a backup driver on standby.

In April 2011, Kahne had a procedure on his right meniscus and earned a third-place finish the following race at Richmond, Va.