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MACON, IL (July 20) - One of the biggest nights of the 2009 racing season in the Midwest has just been added to the already star studded action packed schedule. Nine time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner and driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge for Petty Motorsports, Kasey Kahne will make his first appearance ever at the famous Macon Speedway. Macon Speedway co-owner Kenny Wallace will be joining Kahne for the Night of Nascar Stars on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. Drivers successfully making the transition from sprint cars to stock cars used to be the exception. While the list of drivers that have found success in sprint cars and NASCAR Nextel Sprint Series cars isn’t long, Kasey Kahne is on it. Kahne embarked in his sixth season of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition at the start of the 2009 racing season. Before making a name for himself in NASCAR, Kahne was a sprint car star in his own right. With support from his father, Kelly, Kahne started racing at the age of 14 and never looked back. Kahne burst onto the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series scene in 2004 by contending for wins on a weekly basis. The 2004 Rookie of the Year recorded 13 top-five finishes and completed the season 13th in the point standings, missing the Chase for the Cup by a mere 28 points. Kahne followed the 2004 season up by scoring his first career Cup Series win during the 2005 season at Richmond International Raceway, followed by a close second to Macon Speedway co-owner Tony Stewart in the prestigious Allstate 400 at The Brickyard. Kenny Wallace’s background in
racing came straight from his bloodlines. His father, Russ, was one of the
Midwest's most successful short track drivers, and his two older brothers,
Rusty and Mike, are racers as well. In his first stint ever behind the wheel
of a race car in 1982, Wallace won the Street Stock State Championship in
Illinois. After turning wrenches on older brother, Rusty's, race cars for a
few years, Kenny returned to driving by competing in the American Speed
Association (ASA) in 1986. He immediately found success by garnering Rookie
of the Year honors and finishing 11th in series points. Tickets are on sale now for both Night of Nascar Stars events, including the Night of Nascar Stars on Sept 2, which features Nascar Stars Tony Stewart and Mark Martin & July 22, featuring Kasey Kahne. Orders can be placed by calling 217-764-3000 or 217-764-3200. Adult seats are $20 and seats for children 12 and under are $5 for each event. Pit passes will be $30. Macon Speedway races every Saturday night, through the end of September, plus many other special events throughout the season. Mark your calendars for the Nights of Nascar Stars at Macon Speedway!
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