Kasey Kahne Racing Taps Kraig Kinser To Drive #19 Dodge Silver Crown Machine
Young Talent and Son of Racing Legend to Run 2005 USAC Season
Kasey Kahne Racing / Motorsports Management International PR
MOORESVILLE, NC (December 8, 2004) –NASCAR Rookie of the Year Kasey Kahne is pleased to announce that the driver for his #19 Dodge/Kahne Racing USAC Silver Crown machine will be 20-year old Kraig Kinser. Kinser, who finished seventh in his inaugural World of Outlaws season, is the 2004 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year and son of 19-time World of Outlaws champion Steve “The King” Kinser. The 2005 USAC Silver Crown season will be young Kinser’s first time competing on pavement in a non-winged open wheel machine.

“I’ve known Kraig for years and he’s an excellent driver,” said Kasey, who’s Silver Crown team took three first place finishes in the 2004 USAC season. “I believe he’ll make the transition to pavement and non-winged open wheel cars without a problem. After all, Kraig has had training from one of the best drivers in the world and one of my racing idols, his father Steve. It’s a dream come true for me to be associated with the Kinser family.”

Willie Kahne, Kasey’s cousin and crew chief of the #19, is also excited to have Kraig driving for Kasey Kahne Racing in 2005. “When I saw Kraig compete in Terre Haute when he was 16, I knew he would carry the Kinser name to victory lane for many more years,” he said. “After he took the Rookie of the Year honors in the 2004, Kasey and I figured he was ready to broaden his horizons and figure out if he could be successful on pavement. I prefer to work with drivers that have experience with winged cars, because after one full season, with more than 100 shows coast to coast, a driver can do just about anything.”

Kraig will begin an intensive testing program next week in order to get himself acclimated to the #19 Silver Crown machine. “I can’t wait to start testing the #19,” said Kraig, who will also drive a partial season in the 2005 World of Outlaws tour as well as other Kasey Kahne Racing machines. “I cannot imagine making the transition to non-winged and pavement cars without the professionalism of Kasey Kahne and his operation. My father and I consider Kasey and Willie good friends, and we trust them completely.”

About Kasey Kahne Racing
Kasey Kahne Racing was born out of Kasey’s desire to give back to his roots in open wheel competition. Kasey, along with Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, created Kasey Kahne Racing in 2004 and were almost immediately successful, with three straight victories on dirt and pavement with driver Tyler Walker.

Team co-owner and sponsor Mike Curb is thrilled that Kraig is joining Kasey Kahne Racing in 2005. “Kasey and Willie’s decision on a driver was going to get my full support no matter who they chose, but to have such a talent on board as Kraig Kinser blows my mind,” he says. “Kraig is a great talent with unlimited potential. I can’t wait to see what Kraig accomplishes next season.”

Wow, Kasey has already been very very busy this off season. He has been putting more than a few hours in getting ready for the 2005 season, as an owner and a driver. Way to go Kase.

I promise to try and keep you guys as updated as I can on any of Kasey's teams next year......I'm really hoping they will keep info up on his site about it or something but I'm going to be doing some digging of my own cause I want to know how the teams do.

Ok Stupid quetsion... what is the diffrence between Kasey Kahne Racing and Kasey Kahne Motorsports... or was Kasey just having fun seeing his name next to a word that has to do with racing... well now that I think about it his name does kind of flow... but none the less... ha ha

Thanks Christy for keeping us updated... you should be a nascar detective you always find out all the good stuff :)

I have a stupid question too. Does Kasey's team only run pavement or do they run dirt too?

LOL, well Nic your stupid question I don't have an answer too......maybe I should try and find out though

But the other stupid question I do have an answer for.....they run both, from all that I've gathered they will run the full schedule next year in Silver Crown and I've heard about some possible sprint car stuff and things too so whatever tracks be they dirt or pavement that the Silver Crown cars run on they will run.

And a last little comment, there is no such thing a stupid question :)

That's pretty big to have Kraig Kinser as a driver. He's an awesome driver. I'm not a big fan of Steve, but Kraig is a pretty good kid. :)

Wow getting a Kinser to drive...Kasey's goin big time...WOOT WOOT :nanahump