KASEY KAHNE 'SPRINTS' HIS WAY TO A SECOND DIRT CUP TITLE WHILE THE NASCAR BUSCH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Becky Aschbrenner
            Performance PR Plus
            Pprplus38@aol.com

KASEY KAHNE 'SPRINTS' HIS WAY TO A SECOND DIRT CUP TITLE WHILE THE NASCAR 
BUSCH SERIES TAKES WEEKEND OFF

    The NASCAR Busch Series enjoyed a weekend off, however, Kasey Kahne, 
driver of the No. 38 Great Clips Ford, didn't miss a chance to get back to his 
dirt track roots.  
    Not only did Kahne compete in the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup in Alger, 
Washington, but he also made sprint car history in front of 8,000 fans Saturday 
night when he became the first Washington native to win back-to-back titles 
in the 32-year history of the event.  Kahne also claimed the Jim Raper Memorial 
Dirt Cup title in 2002.
    "It was more of a surprise to win it this year," said Kahne.  "It was 
tougher this year, so it was much more fun to win.  The first two or three rows 
had really good drivers, so I knew it was going to be tough from the start of 
the race.  Plus, Tim Shaffer was on the front row with me, and he's a tough 
competitor. 
    "I was really excited that I got my second Dirt Cup Title, mainly because 
I was able to do it at home in front of friends and family.  It just made it 
so much better to have everyone there."   
    Kahne is one of only three local drivers to ever win the prestigious 
event. The other two to accomplish the feat were Ross Fontes in 1972 and Bobby 
Burrow in 1992.  
    Saturday's event saw Kahne lead all 40 laps of the Race of Champions at 
Skagit Speedway before taking the checkered flag and a $20,000 check. 
    "The first half of the race was really tough, just trying to go through 
traffic.  By the second half I figured out a different line to run and I was 
able to get through traffic better."
    Not only did Kahne enjoy a full weekend of racing in his home state, but 
he also broke his own track record that was set at Dirt Cup 2002 and captured 
the Franz Fast Time Award Thursday and Friday nights.  
    The NASCAR Busch Series does not have another off weekend until August, 
and while some might have needed a weekend of relaxation, Kahne would not have 
it any other way.  He is already planning to race The Historical Big One at 
Eldora Speedway on his next off weekend (August 7-9) followed by the Knoxville 
Nationals (August 13-15) the following week prior to the NASCAR Busch Series 
race at Michigan International Speedway. 
    "I don't get very many chances to race outside of the Busch Series with 
the schedule being so demanding.  When I do get a chance to run sprint races, 
then I do whatever it takes.  The Knoxville Nationals and The Historical Big 
One are two of the biggest races, so I'm not going to miss them."
    Kahne will get back on track this weekend in the NASCAR Busch Series in 
the GNC Live Well 250 at The Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, June 29.  He currently 
sits 12th in the overall NASCAR Busch Series points standings with one top-five 
and six top-10 finishes after 16 events.