Kasey Kahne will return to competing full-time in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series in 2023. (Photo by Trent Gower)
MOORESVILLE, NC — Kasey Kahne’s legacy with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will continue to grow as he returns to full-time competition with “The Greatest Show on Dirt.”
The 42-year-old superstar from Enumclaw, Wash., who is signing on for his second season with the series, will again pilot the #9 Kasey Kahne Racing/Karavan Trailers/FuelMe. With over 80 races scheduled from February through November, the coast-to-coast World of Outlaws Tour takes Kahne from the Florida sun to the Pennsylvania Pigeon Hills to his home in Washington—and everywhere in between.
After an attempted bid to win the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year award last year, Kahne is hoping for an easier show in his second year aiming for more triumphs than tribulations.
“I’m feeling really, really good,” admitted Kahne. “I’m looking forward to getting back into full-time sprint car racing this year and personally I feel like I got a lot better at this track last year. We definitely had a lot of ups and downs in 2022 so I’m hoping for a much smoother and more successful season this year.”
The highs of last year were certainly great – leading laps and taking his first career podium at Huset Speedway – but the lows left their mark. Sadly, hard falls at tracks like Volusia Speedway Park, Eldora Speedway and Jackson Motorplex – all at “the wrong place, at the wrong time” – forced Kahne to spend a total of 27 events on the sidelines throughout the spring and summer.
However, the speed was undoubtedly there. Kahne is feeling more confident than ever after completing his biggest dirt racing schedule in nearly two decades. The goal for 2023 is now very simple – win, win and win.
“Get this first [World of Outlaws] Of course, the win is high on our bucket list and it would be huge,” added Kahne. “We’ve been fortunate to win so many races with so many riders at KKR, but I want to be on that list too. It feels incredibly rewarding to win as an owner considering what I have put and continue to put into the sport, but just as a racer do I want to win myself. It’s been a while since I’ve felt that and that feeling is why we do it, that’s why we love racing.”
Kahne’s quest for his first career win at World of Outlaws begins with the season-opening Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park February 9-11. Notably, through 26 appearances on The World’s Fastest Half-Mile, Kahne earned a win at the 2002 All Star Circuit of Champions and established his World of Outlaws career best at the track with a ninth place finish in 2021.
Justin Adams will return as Kahne’s crew chief along with crew members Brad Tunny and Payton Gries.
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