Kasey Kahne, seen here racing Jamie McMurray at Michigan International back in June, will drive for Red Bull Racing in 2011 while he waits to take the spot of Martin Martin at Hendrick Motorsports the following season. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR)

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Kasey Kahne will drive a Red Bull Racing Toyota in 2011, the team announced Tuesday.

“We were fortunate to have the opportunity to hire a very talented driver for the 2011 season, and we took it,” Said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team Vice President and General Manager. “This is a unique situation that doesn’t happen every day. Kasey is a perfect fit for our company, team and Red Bull.”

Kahne, 30, owns an impressive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series resume. He has 11 wins, 17 poles, 47 top-five and 84 top-10 finishes and twice was a Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup participant in 2006 and 2009.

“This opportunity places me with an established, competitive team that has proven it can win races and make the Chase,” Kahne said. “I have great respect for Red Bull, so to have the opportunity to drive for the Red Bull Racing Team in 2011 is a great fit for me, both personally and professionally. It feels good to be able to finally put this to rest and focus my energy on finishing the season strong for the 9 team and our sponsors.”

“This obviously all happened very quickly,” Frye added. “Over the next month, we will finalize the specific team details,” Red Bull Racing Team’s final driver lineup for 2011 will be confirmed later this year.

ONE NIGHT STAND debuts at MIS

Michigan International Speedway just launched a new fan hospitality option that finally satisfies the late-night, NASCAR fan searching for the ultimate party. And the best part? It’s free.

Oh, and if you like to party with NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne, then “Budweiser Acceleration ONE NIGHT STAND” is for you.

This Friday-night hospitality alternative for the thousands of Michigan International Speedway guests who just can’t leave the track tonight is inside the Budweiser Acceleration Club. The club is in the New Holland Fan Plaza at MIS, near the SPEED Stage.

Budweiser Acceleration ONE NIGHT STAND is open from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kahne will stop by to mingle with guests from 7to 9 p.m.

“The fun doesn’t stop just because there aren’t cars on the track,” MIS Director of Corporate Partnerships Josh Burgett said. “It’s our job to find new ways to entertain our guests and Budweiser has stepped up to help us in that quest. So I invite our guests to stop by after SPEED’s ‘Trackside Live’ and enjoy ONE NIGHT STAND.”

There is no cover charge to attend and it features live music from three bands — Ashes of Soma, Lifeline and Sore Eyes.

Budweiser Acceleration ONE NIGHT STAND is for guests 21 years of age and older. IDs will be checked at the door. Budweiser products and food are available inside the club for purchase. No coolers allowed.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor Budweiser Acceleration ONE NIGHT STAND at MIS. This is a great opportunity to expand our relationship with the speedway,” Mark Bennett, retail sales director for Anheuser-Busch Inc. said. “Budweiser has always enjoyed a great history of working with MIS and this is a great opportunity to extend the branding of our Budweiser Acceleration Club at the track and retail.”

Parking is available in Lot A. Vehicles should enter through Gate 2.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the CARFAX 400 on August 15 are as low as $25. Visit www.MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at (800) 354-1010 today to take advantage of great pricing for 2010 events at MIS.