#67k - Kasey Kahne (Huntersville, NC)

4th Chili Bowl Appearance

Chili Bowl Main Event Starts: 2

Best Chili Bowl Finish: 6th (2002)

The latest graduate from the ranks of Sprint Cars, Midgets and Silver Crown cars to the limelight of NASCAR's premier series is Enumclaw, WA, native Kasey Kahne.

Kahne, who began driving Sprint Cars at the age of 14, was recently named the successor to Bill Elliott in Ray Evernham's No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge on next year's NASCAR Nextel Cup series.

Kahne's path to NASCAR included the USAC National Midget Championship in 2000.  Kahne also won the famed Belleville Nationals in 2000.

In 2003, Kahne finished seventh in NASCAR Busch Series points and won his first career Busch Series race in the final event of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway, his 54th career Busch Series outing.

Kahne still made time to compete in some open-wheel events during 2003, including the Knoxville Nationals.  Kahne also notched his third career USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series victory by topping the August 24 event at Nazareth (PA) Speedway.

After missing the 2003 Chili Bowl Nationals to attend a family member's wedding, Kahne has teamed with Zarounian Motorsports to contend for 2004 Chili Bowl Nationals bragging rights.

Car Owner:  Zarounian/Kahne Motorsports

Chassis:  Stealth

Engine:  Mopar

Sponsors: 

Photo:  Kasey Kahne won the August 23 USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series event at Nazareth Speedway.  (Photo courtesy of Russ Labounty.)