All-Star race has different finish for Kahne this year

Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race didn’t provide Kasey Kahne the same excitement of last year’s race, when Kahne won, but it wasn’t bad.

Kahne drove the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge Charger to a 14th-place finish Saturday day night at Lowe’s Motorspeedway in North Carolina.

“We just missed it a little bit with our Budweiser Dodge,” Kahne said. “We were just tight and couldn’t get the car to turn like we wanted it to. We just missed it and never could really get the track position and keep it if we were to get it anyways. It kind of turned into a test, trying things and we know kind of where, what direction not to go. Hopefully we will be better next week.”

The nonpoints All-Star race is a prelude to Sunday night’s race also from Charlotte, N.C. Fans can catch racing beginning at 2 p.m. on FOX.

Before the all-star break, Kahne was sitting 16th in Sprint Cup drivers’ standings.

Kahne coming home for fan appreciation event

In appreciation to Kasey Kahne Fan Club members and valued customers at the Kasey Kahne Store, the Enumclaw-native NASCAR Sprint Cup driver will be making an appearance in the region.

The event, scheduled from 3 to 5:30 p.m. June 17 at Olympic Eagle Distributing in Puyallup, is open to the public and there is no cost or ticket needed to attend. However, those interested in receiving a Kahne autograph will need to stop by the Kasey Kahne Store at the Enumclaw Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep dealership, and pick up a bracelet. Bracelets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis starting June 9. Participants must be present to receive a bracelet and only one bracelet will be given per person and one autograph given per bracelet. Participants must have their bracelet with them the day of the event to receive an autograph.

For information, go to www.KaseyKahneStore.com. Staring June 1, the store will have new hours: noon to 7 p.m. Wednesays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Organizers are also planning a drawing to take place the day of the event that will enable the winners to have a meet-and-greet with Kahne which will include an autograph and photograph. Thirty tickets will be drawn. Raffle tickets are available at the store for $1 each or six for $5. Tickets will also be available between noon and 1 p.m. the day of the event. All proceeds will be donated to the Kasey Kahne Foundation.