(By Greg Engle)
Posted: Saturday,January 31st, 2009
(By Reid Spencer, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service)
ORLANDO, Fla. — Kasey Kahne was multitasking — something that becomes almost second nature to athletes in the public eye.
Sign, smile, speak.
That was Kahne’s routine at the Puma booth at the annual PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center, the first appearance in a whistle-stop tour of Florida that will end with the Super Bowl in Tampa on Sunday.
Patiently, and with a seemingly inexhaustible reservoir of good nature, Kahne simultaneously signed placards, golf balls and athletic shoes; posed for photos with fans who had lined up to spend a few seconds in the aura of one of NASCAR’s top stars; and answered questions from a TV interviewer — all part of a day away from the racetrack that’s repeated in different settings across the country.
The Super Bowl will be Kahne’s first, and it’s one of the perks the Budweiser sponsorship of his No. 9 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge has brought to the 28-year-old from Enumclaw, Wash.
“It’s definitely one of the benefits,” Kahne said during a break in the autograph session. “Ever since this whole Bud thing has happened, I’ve had all kinds of really cool, fun, exciting things I’ve been able to do — whether they’re appearances, or I just do it because Budweiser can get involved in about any sporting event or concert they want to do. I’ve enjoyed it. The extras have been a lot of fun with ‘em.”
The golf show was a first for Kahne, too. He spent the first 40 minutes of his visit chipping toward golf holes constructed on the convention center floor and acquitted himself admirably for a driver who rarely gets to play the game.
“I hit a few good ones — that was about it,” Kahne said. “I play a few times a year, at charity events, scrambles and things. I really enjoy that. I have a lot of fun with it.”
Fortunately, Kahne genuinely seems to enjoy the sorts of appearances more jaded professional athletes might consider a nuisance. He’s also acutely aware of the need to support the brands that support him.
“We’re down here with Puma, and we’re going to play in a flag football DirecTV game on Saturday, which should be a lot of fun,” Kahne said. “Steve Young and some of the football players will be involved in that, so I’m looking forward to that. Then there’s some Budweiser concerts and parties that we’re going to have some fun with, and the Super Bowl on Sunday. It should be a lot of fun.”
After the fun comes the serious business. Six days after the Super Bowl, the Budweiser Shootout kicks off the NASCAR Sprint Cup season at Daytona International Speedway. Two weeks after the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers decide the NFL championship, Kahne will be involved in a “Super Bowl” of his own, attempting to win the Daytona 500 for the first time.
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