By Brian Liskai: (Attica, OH) Kasey Kahne knows where his racing career began – in a sprint car on the dirt tracks across the United States. Now a star in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driving the Budweiser #9 for Richard Petty Motorsports, Kahne will return to his racing roots as he celebrates his 29th birthday on April 10. Kahne will pilot a 410 sprint car at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, Ohio, during both nights of the HD Supply Spring Nationals, April 10 and 11, competing against the tough weekly warriors and the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions.
“Attica is a great track and I have always loved racing here. We do not get very many weekends off during the Sprint Cup season so it is cool that I get my birthday off. I look forward to getting back into a winged sprint car and having some fun,” said Kahne.
The Enumclaw, Washington native loves the action of the light weight, 800 horse power sprint cars so much, he owns two teams on the national World of Outlaws tour with drivers Joey Saldana and Craig Dollansky, and a United States Auto Club sprint and midget team with driver Brad Sweet.
Kasey Kahne fans will have the opportunity meet him and obtain autographs during special fan sessions at Attica on both nights of racing. Image”We appreciate Kasey’s love for dirt track racing and look forward to seeing him in action on Easter weekend. We do ask fans show their respect by keeping their distance during the night’s racing so that Kasey can enjoy himself and have some fun. Kasey is very accommodating to the fans and will give of his time to sign autographs during the appropriate times,” said Rex LeJeune, Attica Raceway Park Operations Director.
Attica’s gates open Friday, April 10, at 4:30 p.m. with racing action set to heat up at 7:45 p.m. Joining the All Star sprints will be the Fultz Fabrications and Speed Shop UMP Late Models. General admission tickets are $18 for adults; $15 for senior citizens; $10 for teens 11-15 years of age; and kids 10 and under are free. A pit pass is $30.
Attica will open the gates on Saturday, April 11, at 3:30 p.m. with racing to begin at 7:30 p.m. Joining the All Star sprints will be the Fremont Fence 305 Sprints. General admission tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for senior citizens; $10 for teens 11-15 years of age; and kids 10 and under are free. A pit pass is $30.
The Attica Spring Nationals traditionally kick off the northern racing season for the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions. The Spring Nationals date back to 1992 and have had such winners as Frankie Kerr, now a NASCAR Sprint Cup crew chief; local racing hot shoes Mark Keegan, Byron Reed and Brock Mayes; World of Outlaws drivers Craig Dollansky, Joey Saldana, Chad Kemenah, Terry McCarl, Stevie Smith, Danny Smith, Jeff Shepard and Kenny Jacobs; All Star champions Dale Blaney and Greg Wilson; ASCS champion Gary Wright; and in 2008, Pennsylvania Posse member Lance Dewease added his name to the records. And occasionally there’s the upset like in 1996 when local racer Bobby Teeple and his under-funded team recorded the win.
The weekend promises action-packed, exciting racing. So call 419-680-5606 now for ticket information.
For directions to Attica Raceway Park or other information log onto www.atticaracewaypark.com