Kahne has surgery on left knee

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne is expected to be ready for Daytona next week following knee surgery.

Hendrick Motorsports says Kahne had torn cartilage in his left knee and underwent surgery Friday at an outpatient facility in Charlotte. He went to a doctor a day earlier because of swelling.

The team says Kahne will not have a backup driver in Daytona. Teams report next week to Daytona International Speedway to begin preparing for the Feb. 26 season-opening Daytona 500.

Kahne had knee cartilage surgery in 2011 on a Monday and raced that Saturday night at Richmond. He also had surgery on both knees in December 2010 to repair buildup of tissue in his knees.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.