* Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Budweiser/Team USA Ford, makes his 13th career start at Auto Club Speedway this weekend in the Auto Club 500.
* In 12 previous starts at Auto Club Speedway, Kahne has earned one win, three top fives, seven top-10 finishes and one pole award. His average start at the track is 10.7 and his average finish is 14.8.
* Kahne was one of four drivers that participated in a Goodyear tire test at Auto Club Speedway in December. The two-day test marked Kahne's first official NASCAR test behind the wheel of a Ford Fusion for Richard Petty Motorsports.
* For the second week-in-a-row, the No. 9 Budweiser Ford sheds the traditional red paint scheme to feature a special Team USA design in celebration of the U.S. Olympians competing in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Limited edition Team USA die cast cars are available and proceeds from the sales will be donated to the U.S. Olympic Committee to assist athletes' training and travel costs for the Olympic Winter Games. Team USA leads the way in the overall competition with eight medals earned thus far -- two gold, two silver and four bronze.
Kasey Kahne Discusses Racing at Auto Club Speedway and the Olympic Winter Games
You did not have the finish that you were looking for in the Daytona 500 (30th). Does this weekend's race in Fontana (Calif.) set more of the tone for the rest of the season? "I think you have a better idea of where you are after this race. Daytona is such a different race. California is more like the type of tracks that we'll race at the rest of the year. We only have restrictor-plate races four times a year, so I think this weekend's race is a good test for the work that has been done in the off season and will give us a better idea on where we still need improvement."
What are your thoughts on the Olympic Winter Games so far? "I really enjoy watching the Olympics. It seems that every time I watch it I get sucked in. Those are world-class athletes representing each of the countries and it's cool to watch them compete at the highest level. Team USA has done a great job so far. It means a lot to have them on my car again this week."
-source: rpm
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