Kasey Kahne established himself among the elite of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 2006 in only his third season of competition in NASCAR’s premier series.  The 26-year-old driver from Enumclaw, Wash., posted a series-high six wins in the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger and earned a berth in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

Kahne finished eighth in the final point standings.  In addition to the six wins, he had 12 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes and started from the Bud Pole six times during the season, more than any other driver that season.

Part of the success can be attributed to a change team owner Ray Evernham made at the end of the 2005 season when he shuffled personnel within the organization.  Kahne was teamed with Kenny Francis (team director), Mike Shiplett (car director) and Keith Rodden (engineer).

Check out Kasey's website
kaseykahne.com

BIRTHDATE: April 10, 1980

HOMETOWN: Enumclaw, Washington

RESIDES: Mooresville, North Carolina

HEIGHT: 5’9”

WEIGHT: 145 lbs.

FAVORITE ARTISTS: Dierks Bentley, George Strait, Johnny Cash

FAVORITE MOVIES: Tombstone, American Wedding

FAVORITE TV SHOWS: Speed News, Friends

FAVORITE ACTRESS: Jennifer Anniston, Christine Taylor

FAVORITE ACTOR: Harrison Ford, Colin Farrell

FAVORITE FOOD: Oven-roasted chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy

FAVORITE PLACE TO GET AWAY: Vail, Colorado (Bill Elliott’s House)

FAVORITE DODGE: 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe

HEROES: Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon (from the Thursday Night Thunder days on ESPN)

FAVORITE RACING MOMENTS: “Making The Chase for the Nextel Cup this year, winning my first Nextel Cup race at Richmond (2005), the Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year title (2004).”

HOBBIES: Skiing, boating, riding snowmobiles, fishing and working out.

FAVORITE CHARITY: Kasey Kahne Foundation