Kasey’s Coming Back Down Under for Ultimate Sprintcar Safari
American motor racing superstar Kasey Kahne has confirmed that he’ll be returning to Australia in 2015/2016 to race an exclusive Ultimate Sprintcar schedule at Valvoline Raceway.
Kahne, a household name in NASCAR and Speedway dirt track circles the world over will bring his own first class equipment including two complete cars and spares to race at VR on December 26, December 28, December 30, January 1, January 3 and January 5.
Kasey will bring his long time right hand at KKR Justin Adams and possibly another team member to facilitate the Sydney tour.
Kahne became well aware of the Valvoline Raceway impetus last year when he tuned into the “Clay per view” internet live streaming broadcast to watch KKR factory pilot Brad Sweet in action on numerous occasions.
Valvoline Raceway Managing Director Steven Green was delighted today to announce Kahne’s impending tour.
“Kasey is such a class act,” Green smiles, “whether it’s on a Superspeedway, the coat hanger in the Poconos or a dirt quarter mile he’s renowned as an ultra versatile and competitive elite racer. His racing credentials speak for themselves, but we’re also delighted to have someone of his professional and modest nature to come and share time with us. Justin Adams told me that Kasey’s idea of a holiday is spending some time working on and driving his Sprint car so we’re happy we can accommodate him with that and some Aussie summer weather.”
Despite his busy NASCAR profile Kahne has remained close to his dirt racing roots through his own driving opportunities when time arises but predominantly through the development of KKR (Kasey Kahne Racing) where he provides two elite Sprintcars in the World of Outlaw schedule each year.
For Kasey personally the idea of ‘spare time’ is a limited concept.
Increasing on and off-track commitments see an exhausting schedule for the Washington native where he’s continually on demand from the media and sponsorship fraternity.
The idea then of pulling on a helmet and fire suit 14,000 miles from home and getting his fix of Sprintcar racing Australian style has an allure all its own.
“I’ve enjoyed the racing and the hospitality in Australia before and there’s a lot to like about coming back down there for it,” Kahne concedes, “it’s a quick break from all the activity up here (USA) and I get to squeeze in six races. It’s a win-win for me.”
Kahne will field his Sprint car inventory under the umbrella of Steve Caunt Racing – the flamboyant Albion Park Rail (NSW) car owner and driver has facilitated some of the sport’s biggest names in the past (including dual WoO champion Jason Meyers and Outlaw legend Sammy Swindell to name only two) – who has purchased Kasey’s equipment for the Sydney tour.
“Obviously it’s a great honour to have someone like Kasey involved with our racing program,” says Caunt, “he’ll be running his cars with support from our hauler and our operation. I know he’ll be bringing everything he needs, but he has all of our inventory if he needs it as well.”
Kahne will contest six high profile nights of competition at Valvoline Raceway including:
December 26: Valvoline Australian Sprintcar Grand Prix (USC)
December 28: Round Ten of USC NSW
December 30: 2015 NSW Sprintcar Championship (USC)
January 1: The Firecracker 50 Lapper (USC)
January 3: The 2nd annual Peter Murphy Classic (USC)
January 5: Round Fourteen USC NSW
Sources: Valvoline Raceway PR