Robert W. “Kas” Kastner, a giant in American motorsports, passed away Saturday at age 92. Kastner came up through the ranks from mechanic all the way to head of NPTI, Nissan’s dominant IMSA GTP program in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. An organizational wizard, Kastner headed up both racing teams and manufacturer programs, winning championships at all levels.
Marshall Pruett posted a splendid remembrance of Kastner on Racer.com with thoughts of friends and colleagues.
[Marshall Pruett image]
DAN GURNEY TO BE HONORED AT DARLINGTON
Big Machine Racing will honor Dan Gurney during the Xfinity Cup event May 8 at Darlington Raceway during NASCAR’s official Throwback Weekend. The team will field Jade Buford’s No. 48 Chevrolet in All American Racing’s 1970 Trans-Am series livery.
Jade Bufford and the Big Machine Racing Chevrolet in AAR livery.
Team owner Scott Borchetta made the announcement on April 13th this week on what would have been Gurney’s 90th birthday: “Dan Gurney has always been one of my heroes. I had the great fortune to spend time with him in his later years and experience his charm, wit and genius. It is our great pleasure to return Dan’s iconic Trans-Am livery to the racetrack with AAR and Hot Wheels – all with the blessing and support of Evi, Justin and the Gurney family. Win, lose or draw, we will be spraying champaign after the race in Dan’s honor” – a tradition started by Gurney at Le Mans in 1967 to celebrate his victory with A.J. Foyt.
Dan Gurney starts a tradition by spraying his champagne on the podium following the 24 Hours of Le Mans at Circuit de la Sarthe on June 11, 1967. [Rainer Schlegelmilch image]
