Catchfence

STATESVILLE, N.C. – Kasey Kahne makes his first of four 2009 Nationwide Series appearances on Friday at Daytona International Speedway. Braun Racing will field the No. 10 McDonald’s McCafe car for Richard Petty Motorsports in each race. Kahne is a seven-time winner in the series while Braun has visited victory lane four times in its history and posted seven top-five finishes in 2009 with Jason Leffler and Brian Vickers. The 29-year-old Kahne will be one of the favorites in the 250-mile race under the Daytona lights.

Quotes

KAHNE ON RETURN TO NATIONWIDE SERIES: “I’m pretty excited about this. Braun Racing builds some pretty fast race cars and I’ve always enjoyed racing in this series. Last year was the first time we didn’t visit Victory Lane in a Nationwide car, so I want to try and get back to the winners circle. Richard Petty Motorsports is focused on four cars in the Cup Series, so this deal with Braun Racing made a lot of sense. They’re one of the best stand-alone teams in the series.”

RACE STRATEGY: “I don’t know how much strategy there will be Friday night. It’s not a long race so you pretty much have to race as hard as you can and avoid all of the trouble. The summer races in Daytona are usually about handling. If you can make your car handle throughout the run, you’ll be ok.”

McDONALD’S McCAFE: “I’ve been partnered with McDonald’s since 2005. From working with the Ronald McDonald House, to having them on our race cars, I’m so proud that we can continue our relationship. I’m pretty fortunate with all the sponsors that are part of our effort. Between Budweiser, Stanley, Best Buy, Allstate and McDonald’s we have some of the biggest names in the sport supporting us.”

CREW CHIEF STEWART COOPER: “It’s a real honor to be working with the Petty team again. There is so much history around that company and having the chance to be associated with the Petty family again is a dream come true twice in my life. I had so much fun last year working around Richard and Dale Inman and the whole Petty gang. Kasey is one of the sport’s biggest stars and were thrilled he’s going to race one of our cars.”

- Richard Petty Motorsports Press Release