| Kasey Kahne always knew from a young age that | | | | In his sophomore season, Kasey Kahne managed to |
| he wanted to be a race car driver. He was born on | | | | bag his first career NEXTEL cup victory after gaining |
| April 10, 1980 in Enumclaw, Washington and now | | | | control in the Chevy American Revolution 400 at |
| resides in Mooresville, North Carolina. He grew up | | | | Richmond International Raceway. Because of the |
| racing on dirt tracks in his hometown of Enumclaw. | | | | newly imposed tire and spoiler rule changes set in by |
| He raced with his brother, Kale, cousins and friends. | | | | NASCAR, he had a couple of issues with the handling |
| They would build tracks on their own although | | | | however, he had to pay the price with nine DNFs |
| occasionally his father would build the tracks. Because | | | | during the year some of which were contributed by |
| he was brought up with a lot of land to play around | | | | accidents. Kasey however has learned to take the |
| on, these kids would enjoy nothing better than just | | | | experience and turn it into results. |
| racing around on their four wheelers. | | | | Not many rookies have been able to leave an |
| He took to open wheel sprint cars at Deming | | | | impression like he has. He became a household name |
| Speedway at aged 17 in Deming, Washington. This | | | | at the end of his rookie season during the NASCAR |
| was before he moved up to Skagit speedway which | | | | NEXTEL runs. Even then he says that it hasn't always |
| then had him moving to USAC. There he was | | | | been glitzy. His worst experience during his years of |
| approached to be hired by Steve Lewis who had in | | | | traveling and racing was his first in Busch when he |
| the past, employ some future NASCAR drivers. | | | | had to stay at a motel in Darlington. He was so |
| Kahne was formidable on the track and proved | | | | disgusted by the condition of the motel that he |
| himself worthy of being a racecar driver when he | | | | decided to sleep in his clothes. His fondest memory |
| was named Rookie of the Year and win the national | | | | of NASCAR was when Jeff Gordon spun him on the |
| midget championship. He then went on to make 20 | | | | pit road. When asked what his favorite racing |
| starts in the Busch Series for Robert Yates Racing. | | | | moment was, Kahne said that winning the Dirt Cup in |
| Soon after, he went on to win his first pole at | | | | Washington for the second time in his career was |
| Michigan International Speedway and his first Busch | | | | one of the highlights in his life that he was proud of. |
| race at the ford 300. | | | | In 2005, Kahne created the Kasey Kahne Foundation |
| Kasey's big break came when he had to replace Bill | | | | which aims to help the chronically ill children, their |
| Elliot at the end of 2003 however, because Kahne | | | | families and under privileged youth. The Kasey Kahne |
| was still under contract with Ford he was served | | | | Foundation wants to provide hope, encourage |
| with a lawsuit as Kasey would have be driving a car | | | | creativity and imagination for these children while |
| that was being sponsored by Dodge. The kinks were | | | | they try to improve the lives of the less fortunate. |
| worked out after some negotiations and Kasey then | | | | Besides being actively involved in the Kasey Kahne |
| went on to do what he was good at doing. He won | | | | Foundation, he also enjoys doing regular things with |
| nearly all the races he participated in and managed to | | | | his friends. He skis, rides snowmobiles and fishes |
| get the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award. | | | | when he has free time on his off track days. |