BRIEF: Kahne coming to race in August

Kasey Kahne returns to his racing roots Aug. 27 to compete at Skagit Speedway. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star began racing at the local dirt track in Alger, Wash., when he was 15 years old.

This will be Kahne’s third charity event at his hometown track.

“We are really excited to have Kasey coming home to Skagit Speedway,” owner Steve Beitler said in a press release. “He is a class act, no matter how famous he gets he never forgets about where he came from.”

Kasey Kahne Foundation’s Sage Fruit Showdown will feature a 360 sprint car race showcasing the area’s best drivers. In addition to promoting the event, Kahne will also compete, driving his own No. 4 Kasey Kahne Racing entry.

“It’s always a neat opportunity when you can return to the track where you got your start in racing,” said Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “We’ve had a few foundation events at Skagit Speedway in the past and they’ve always produced some great racing and benefit a good cause.”

Aside from great racing, all of the proceeds will benefit the Kasey Kahne Foundation, which supports disadvantaged youth and chronically ill children and their families.

Tickets are on sale now by calling the Skagit Speedway office at 360-724-3567 during weekday business hours. Tickets will be available at the racetrack the day of the race, if not sold out.

Tickets bought before July 31 will enter purchasers in a drawing where 75 fans will win access to an autograph session with Kahne. Visit www.kaseykahnefoundation.org for more details.

There will be a question and answer session with Kahne during the race. Ticket holders are encouraged to submit questions to info@kaseykahnefoundation.org. Winning questions will be selected Aug. 10 and winners will receive an autographed photograph from Kahne.

Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.

Day of event tickets and pit passes are available at Skagit Speedway ticket booths for $25 adults and $15 children ages 12 and younger. Visit www.skagitspeedway.com or www.kaseykahnefoundation.org for more information. The event and race schedule to be posted at www.kaseykahnefoundation.org/skagit.