No. 9 Ragu Dodge Charger
Daytona Preview

No. 9 Ragu Dodge Charger driver Kasey Kahne begins practice today for Saturday’s 120-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway. After finishing seventh in owner’s points last season, the Ultimate Chargers team led by new team director Kirk Almquist is one of the favorite’s in the season-opening race. Almquist served as car director on the No. 19 Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series the last two years. The Ultimate Chargers program this year will showcase the driving skills of the four Gillett Evernham Motorsports drivers; Kasey Kahne, Patrick Carpentier, Elliott Sadler and Chase Miller.

DRIVER KASEY KAHNE QUOTES:
ON RACING AT DAYTONA: “Anytime you have the opportunity to race at Daytona, it’s special. This series is really competitive. It’s just as hard to go out and win as the Cup Series, but without the pressure. I think that’s one of the reasons why you see so many Cup drivers racing in it; it’s just good, hard racing.

“Daytona is a crap-shoot. Every time we come to restrictor plate tracks, you never know if you’re going to make it out in one piece. There are so many elements that are out of your control. It is easy to get caught up in someone else’s wreck here. We’re looking to have some fun on Saturday and I know Kirk [Almquist] and the guys will bring a strong car. It’s just a matter of positioning our Ragu Dodge Charger to be there in the closing laps.”

ON WORKING WITH NEW TEAM DIRECTOR, KIRK ALMQUIST: “I had the opportunity to work with Kirk toward the end of last season on the Ultimate Chargers Dodge. There is a lot of benefit from moving personnel around within an organization and Kirk did a lot of good things for our program last year. I know he’ll be a great addition to the No. 9.”

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Daytona Int’l Speedway