By TONY VENEZIANO

World of Outlaws

Bulls Gap, TN -- March 17, 2010 - Race fans know Kasey Kahne as one of the biggest stars in NASCAR, but before he was competing for the Sprint Cup he grew up racing in Sprint Cars.

Kahne developed a passion for Sprint Car racing while growing up in the Pacific Northwest, and continually gives back to the sport. In addition to owning the World of Outlaws #9 Budweiser car driven by Joey Saldana and the #91 Great Clips car driven by Paul McMahan he also will be promoting Kasey's King of Bulls Gap Presented By Budweiser on Friday and Saturday nights at Volunteer Speedway, just down Interstate 81 from Bristol.

If fans act fast, they can still get access to an exclusive Question-and-Answer session with Kahne on Friday night, plus a free pit pass. The two-day package for only $59 needs to be purchased by 5:30 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, March 17.

Kasey's King of Bulls Gap Presented By Budweiser returns the World of Outlaws to Volunteer Speedway for the first time since 2007 in an event co-sanctioned with the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars. Saldana was the winner back in '07, and as the World of Outlaws championship points leader entering the event he is hoping to swipe another one for his car owner.

The event also marks the beginning of the four-race Showdown for the Bud Crown mini-series the NASCAR star will be promoting in partnership with the World Racing Group. Points will be earned each night at Volunteer Speedway and at events on June 16 at Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Mo., and on July 8 in the Chicago area. Kasey Kahne will be competing against the Outlaws at Sedalia, and the overall Showdown for the Bud Crown champion will be decided at the Chicago event.

Fans who have already purchased the two-day advance ticket package for this weekend will have access to that exclusive Q&A session with Kahne on Friday night after heat races. Kahne offered a sneak peak earlier this week when he took time out of his busy schedule to share his thoughts on Sprint Car racing, the World of Outlaws and his venture into promoting the Kasey's King of Bulls Gap Presented By Budweiser:

Q: How did you get involved in dirt track racing?

A: My dad was involved in sprint car racing so we went to those races a lot and I grew up around it. I started racing mini-sprints and then moved on to racing sprint cars. I've raced ever since. I try and give back to dirt track racing whenever I can. Fortunately we were able to work out a deal for me to promote a few World of Outlaws events, beginning with the King of Bulls Gap on March 19.

Q: How involved with your World of Outlaws teams do you get?

A: I spend as much time at KKR that I can. If I'm not racing or at a sponsor function, I'm at the shop. We are based in Mooresville, so our teams are on the road quite a bit to compete with the World of Outlaws, but it allows me more time to spend with the guys. Most of the team is close family so we all grew up together and now we all work together. Unfortunately, I'm not able to be at every race, but I trust the team to do what's best and win races. Winning 20 races with Joey Saldana and the Bud car last year was pretty special.

Q: Why Volunteer Speedway for your first World of Outlaws promotion?

A: Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn., is one of the fastest, most exciting high-banked dirt tracks around. In 2007, Joey Saldana won there in one of his first races with Kasey Kahne Racing. The crowd was huge, the racing was unreal, and it's just down the interstate from Bristol Motor Speedway, where NASCAR is racing that weekend, so fans can get there easily.

On Friday, March 19 at Volunteer Speedway, general admission tickets for adults will be $29 if purchased in advance and $35 the day of the race, with general admission tickets for youth (ages 11-15) $15, with children 10-under admitted free of charge in the general admission section. Reserved tickets will be $29 if purchased in advance and $35 the day of the race. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the World of Outlaws at: 704-795-7223 or online at http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com.

On Saturday, March 20 at Volunteer Speedway, General admission tickets for adults will be $29 if purchased in advance and $35 the day of the race, with general admission tickets for youth (ages 11-15) $15, with children 10-under admitted free of charge in the general admission section. Reserved tickets will be $29 if purchased in advance and $35 the day of the race. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the World of Outlaws at: 704-795-7223 or online at http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com.