Sports Anchor To Make Speedway Spectacular Debut

News Channel 11 sports anchor Kasey Marler will trade his suit jacket for a racing suit soon as he hits the track at the world's fastest half mile oval.

This news release is posted on the Bristol Motor Speedway's website:

"WJHL's Kasey Marler Set To Make Racing Debut In Saturday Spectacular At Bristol Motor Speedway"

"While he appears calm, cool and collected when he is in front of the camera, WJHL sports anchor Kasey Marler may be sweating a few bullets during the Aug. 9 Saturday Spectacular at Bristol Motor Speedway. For the first time in his life, Marler will slip behind the steering wheel in a race, trading his microphone for a powerful race car.

Marler's racing debut will take place on one of the most famous tracks in racing. The big moment, perhaps akin to playing a first game of catch at Yankee Stadium, is one Marler looks forward to with great anticipation.

"We all dream of racing cars," said the gregarious native of Omaha, Neb. "Then one day, the call comes through and everything runs through your mind, good and bad. I'm going to do all the research I can."

"My plan is that when the green flag drops, I'm going wide open. Just don't put a stopwatch on it to see how long I stay wide open. I fully intend to open it up and go as fast as I can."

Marler has driven a race car once before, during a practice session at the now-defunct Kingsport Speedway. He says the experience really does not count as a race start.

"I thought I was cooking," Marler explained. "I did two laps and when I came in, everyone was giggling. I remember they came over and told me I needed to switch gears. So, for this race, you're getting someone pretty raw in terms of racing."

In addition to his driving duties, Marler will have to be on set for the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. WJHL newscasts that evening. So far, his schedule is filling up quickly.

"The day looks to be shaping up the same as it did a year ago," said Marler. "Last year, I came to the Dragway to video the All Harley Drags, and then went to the Speedway to shoot practice for the Saturday Spectacular for the 6 p.m.news. I did the 6 then came to the track, shot the race, and then went back for the 11 p.m.news. The only difference this year is that I won't be shooting practice or the race, because I will be doing the practicing and racing."

"It will be out with the racing suit and on with the two-piece suit, unless I'm late. Then, I may be racing in a two-piece suit."

Marler, who grew up watching races at Nebraska's Sunset Speedway, admits this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I've followed racing my whole life," he said. "I used to go to the dirt tracks with my dad. When everyone else liked Richard Petty, I cheered for Steve Kasiski [a local dirt track racer]. For 15 minutes, I'm going to race against the guys I've admired my whole life, the ones that sacrifice everything to race on the weekend. I get to play with them whether they like it or not."

Marler, who will attempt to make his own racing history, will compete in the 15-lap Charger Division race. The Thompson Metal 200 presented by WJHL's Daytime Tri-Cities ASA Late Model Series race will be the feature event of the final Saturday Spectacular of the season. The action-packed evening also includes a 25-lap Street Stock race, a 50-lap Mod 4 Mini Stock race and Bristol's first Demolition Derby will cap the night's activities.

Tickets for the Saturday Spectacular are $15 per person. Discount coupons are available at Appco Convenience Stores. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit passes are $35. No one under 15 will be allowed in the pit area and anyone 18 and under must have a parental waiver signed.

Gates open at 6 p.m. with the first green flag slated for 7 p.m."