CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kasey Kahne was released from Richard Petty Motorsports Wednesday night, clearing the way for him to join Red Bull Racing for the final five races of the season.

RPM announced Kahne was out of the No. 9 Ford effective immediately, and Aric Almirola would drive the car this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Almirola had been on NASCAR's entry list to drive the No. 83 Toyota for Red Bull.

But the plans apparently were scrapped after Kahne's blowup Saturday night when his brakes failed at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kahne exploded in anger on the radio when his brakes failed for the third time this season, the second time in two races.

The release brings an early end to a rocky final two years in Kahne's tenure with the team. He said this spring he would drive for Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, and he recently decided to drive for Red Bull next season as a one-year stopgap until he can succeed Mark Martin in the No. 5 car.