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Kevin Burke of “Defending the Caveman” Plays Game Show Host at Chasers for Charity Fanfest Dec. 1

After last year’s successful Chasers for Charity Fanfest, seasoned comedic stage actor and star of Defending the Caveman Kevin Burke has been asked to participate in this year’s event. This year, he will host a Family Feud style game show with the 12 Chase drivers.

“I’m thrilled to be back and part of this unique day as it truly is the only fan event where the drivers come out and ‘let their hair down’ and have a good time with the fans,” said Burke. That’s what NASCAR is all about.”

This free fan event serves as a kick off to Las Vegas Motor Speedway and NASCAR’s Champion’s Week. Along with the game show, race fans can enjoy free track tours, live music, an autograph session by Miss Sprint Cup, a question-and-answer session with SPEED personalities Krista Voda and Larry McReynolds and continuous entertainment in the Sprint experience. The Richard Petty Driving Experience will also be offering rides for a fee with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities.

Burke, along with the 12 Chase drivers will walk the red carpet at 2 p.m., with the game show to follow.

Burke was born to be an entertainer. His great grandmother was a vaudeville performer, his grandfather was a stand up comedian who toured nationally and his mother is a singer. Burke caught the acting bug in his home city of Chicago, where he had his first starring role in his high school’s production of “Dracula.”

Burke began his performing arts career as a backup drummer touring with a number of bands. He received a Bachelor of Arts in acting and directing from Indiana University at Bloomington. He is also a graduate of the Player’s Workshop of The Second City, a certified stage combatant by the Society of American Fight Directors and has studied physical comedy with the world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. Burke has since been touring in the performing arts for close to 30 years.

In 2003, Burke was introduced to Rob Becker, the creator of “Defending the Caveman,” who wrote the show during a three-year period while conducting an informal study of anthropology, prehistory, psychology, sociology and mythology. Burke has been performing the show ever since.

Along with “Caveman,” he has a nightly show at the Fitzgeralds Casino Downtown called “Fitz of Laughter.” In 2009 Burke was honored as Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year for his work in “Defending the Caveman.”