June 2011 Race Winner: #2-Brad Keselowski, 137.184mph, started 25th

October 2011 Race Winner: #48-Jimmie Johnson, 137.181mph, started 19th

Track Race Record: #16-Greg Biffle, 10/3/2010, 138.077mph

Slowest Race Record: #24-Jeff Gordon, Sept 2001, 110.576mph

Oldest Winner: Mark Martin, 46 years, 9 months, 0 days, 10/9/2005

Youngest Winner: Ryan Newman, 25 years, 9 months, 27 days, 10/5/2003

Worst Starting Spot to Win: #2-Brad Keselowski, 6/5/2011, started 25th

June 2011 Pole Sitter: #22-Kurt Busch, 174.752mph, finished 9th

October 2011 Pole Sitter: #16-Greg Biffle, 174.887mph, finished 8th

Track Qualifying Record: #17-Matt Kenseth, 10/8/2005, 180.856mph

Oldest Kansas Pole Winner: Mark Martin, 50 years, 8 months, 24 days, 10/2/2009

Youngest Pole Winner: Jason Leffler, 26 years, 0 months, 14 days, 9/30/2001

Most Wins: 2 - Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson

Most Poles: 3 - Jimmie Johnson

Most Top 5s: 8 - Jeff Gordon

Most Top 10s: 9 - Jeff Gordon; 8 - Greg Biffle & Tony Stewart

Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: Jimmie Johnson, 10/9/2011, 197 laps

Most Laps Led: Jimmie Johnson, 10/9/2011, 197 laps

Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: Tony Stewart, 10/1/2006, 5 laps

Most Lead Changes: 26 - 10/4/2009

Fewest Lead Changes: 13 - 9/29/2002

Most Leaders: 14 - 10/4/2009

Fewest Leaders: 9 - 6/5/2011

Most Cautions: 13, 9/30/2001

Most Caution Laps: 70, 9/30/2001

Fewest Cautions: 5, 10/3/2010 & 6/5/2011

Fewest Caution Laps: 23 - 10/4/2009

Most Running at the Finish: 42 - 9/28/2008

Fewest Running at the Finish: 27 - 9/29/2002

Most Wins by Manufacturer: 7 - Chevy; 3 - Ford; 2 - Dodge

PAST RACE WINNERS
10/2011: #48-Jimme Johnson (2), Chevy, 137.181, started 19th
6/2011: #2-Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 137.184, started 25th
2010: #16-Greg Biffle (2), Ford, 138.077, started 5th
2009: #14-Tony Stewart (2), Chevy, 137.144, started, 5th
2008: #48-Jimmie Johnson, Chevy, 133.549, started 1st
2007: #16-Greg Biffle, Ford, 104.981, started 7th
2006: #20-Tony Stewart, Chevy, 121.753, started 21st
2005: #6-Mark Martin, Ford, 137.774, started 19th
2004: #01-Joe Nemechek, Chevy, 126.058, started 1st
2003: #12-Ryan Newman, Dodge, 121.630, started 11th
2002: #24-Jeff Gordon (2), Chevy, 119.394; started 10th
2001: #24-Jeff Gordon, Chevy, 110.576; started 2nd

Casino opens at Kansas Speedway: The ownership of Kansas Speedway is gambling on a new casino overlooking Turn 2 to generate interest, drive ticket sales and increase revenue during a sluggish time for motorsports. The Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway officially opened Friday. Long lines of cars snaked out of the parking lots and along the roads running parallel to the backstretch of the track. The $411 million casino is a partnership between Penn National Gaming and International Speedway Corp., which owns and operates the speedway. The casino has about 1,000 full-time employees, 95,000 square feet of gaming, and is expected to attract 4 million guests annually with an estimated economic impact of $200 million a year. It also should boost interest in the two race weekends at Kansas Speedway, the first in April and the second in October.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(2-4-2012)

Kansas hosting season ticket holder track laps: As a way to say thank you to season ticket holders, Kansas Speedway will be hosting track laps on Oct. 18 from 3:00-10:00pm, Oct. 22 from 6:00-11:00pm, Oct. 26 from 3:00-10:00pm, and Oct. 28 from 3:00-10:00pm. Each account will be given one drive for three laps (first lap from pit road, second lap the entire track, and third lap back to pit road). Account holders can attend any day they prefer and are welcome to bring guests to ride along with them. Season ticketholders should enter off of France Family Drive. Gatorade Victory Lane will also be open for photos.(Kansas Speedway)(10-18-2011)

Golfer & Kansas Native named honorary official for Kansas race: With the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup action coming to Kansas Speedway on Oct. 9, another championship contender will make his way to Kansas Speedway. PGA Tour player Gary Woodland, who is from Topeka, Kan., has been named an honorary official for the Hollywood Casino 400. “We’re excited to have Gary participate in the pre-race activities for the Hollywood Casino,” said Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren. “Gary had a great run in the PGA Tour’s championship playoffs this year and we’re looking forward to having him at our championship event as well.”
Woodland attended Washburn University (Topeka, Kan.) on a basketball scholarship before transferring to the University of Kansas to play golf. He turned professional in 2007 and earned his PGA Tour card in 2009. Earlier this year, Woodland tied for first in the Bob Hope Classic, losing in a playoff. In March of this year, Woodland won his first PGA title at the Transitions Championships. He finished tied for 12th at the PGA Championship in earlier this month.
Remaining 2011 events at Kansas Speedway include the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 9, the Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 8 and the Kansas Lottery 98.9 on Oct. 7 and tickets for all events are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(10-5-2011)

Statements about road closure around Kansas Speedway: Statement from Kansas Speedway President Regarding Kansas Department Of Transportation Decision to Delay Road Closure Project: “I want to thank the Kansas Department of Transportation for their flexibility and willingness to change the construction schedule for the Quivira Road Improvement Project,” said Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren. “This decision is more evidence of the strong partnership we have with the State of Kansas and ensures that NASCAR fans locally, as well as those travelling to our area, will have a great experience!"(Kansas Speedway)
AND The planned closure of westbound I-435 the weekend of Oct. 7-10 for construction work taking place near the Quivira Road interchange has been postponed a week. "We have decided to reschedule this weekend's closures to accommodate the many race fans who will be traveling to the weekend-long NASCAR races at the Kansas Speedway," said Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Deputy Secretary Jerry Younger.(Kansas DOT News Release in part)(10-4-2011)

Hauler Parade at Kansas: For the first time, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series haulers will participate in a hauler parade in Kansas City, Kansas’ Village West area on Thursday, Oct. 6 before heading to Kansas Speedway’s infield for the Hollywood Casino 400, the fourth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The hauler parade kicks off the 5th annual Parade of Heroes, which features vintage military vehicles, local marching bands and fire and police departments. Parade of Heroes is presented each year by the Village West Rotary Club and honors men and women in uniform – soldiers, police, fire and our veterans. The parade will start at 5:45 PM with over 40 NASCAR haulers expected to participate. The parade will begin on Speedway Blvd, before turning onto Village West Parkway through The Legends. The haulers will turn onto Stadium Drive before turning left onto 110th Street and heading into Kansas Speedway for the weekend. Parking is available in Village West. Remaining 2011 events at Kansas Speedway include the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 9, the Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 8 and the Kansas Lottery 98.9 on Oct. 7 and tickets for all events are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(10-4-2011)

Kansas announces National Anthem performers for race weekend: Kansas Speedway officials announced their national anthem singers for the upcoming Kansas Lottery 98.9, Kansas Lottery 300 and Hollywood Casino 400. Up and coming artist Tammie Davis will sing the national anthem for the Kansas Lottery 98.9 on Oct. 7, new Curb Recording artist Rachel Holder will perform the anthem prior to the Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 8 and new Curb Recording artist Tim Dugger will sing the national anthem prior to the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 9. Dugger is no stranger to NASCAR, having performed at several tracks this season. The Alabama native's video for his single "Sunday Drive" is available on YouTube, which includes Richard Childress Racing's Austin Dillon. Holder and Dugger will play a post race concert showcasing their music for fans following the Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 8 in the Display Midway.(Kansas Speedway)(9-25-2011)

Kansas to have Kansas Lottery 300 post race concert: Kansas Speedway fans have another reason to attend the Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday, Oct. 8 - a post race concert by The Chris Weaver Band and Curb recording artists Tim Dugger and Rachel Holder. Holder is a Tennessee native, who is currently making the rounds at radio stations across the country. Holder's videos are currently available on YouTube. Dugger is no stranger to NASCAR, having performed at several tracks this season. The Alabama native's video for his single "Sunday Drive" is available on YouTube, which includes Richard Childress Racing's Austin Dillon. The Chris Weaver Band, who's first CD "Standing in Line" is available on iTunes, is currently in studio working on their second album. The band, who is currently touring throughout the country, counts among their fans NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer.(Kansas Speedway)(9-22-2011)

Kansas Speedway adds fan hospitality option: Kansas Speedway unveiled a new fan hospitality option for fans attending the Kansas Lottery 300 and Hollywood Casino 400 weekend, October 8 & 9. The Finish Line at Turn 1 will provide fans the opportunity to enhance their race day experience and not miss a minute of the exciting on track activity. The Finish Line is only $100 for Saturday, $150 for Sunday or $225 per person for the entire weekend and includes infield pit tours, meal and drink vouchers for each day, large screen TV's covering the racing action and DJ entertainment. The Finish Line has limited availability. Fans purchasing a ticket to The Finish Line must also have a grandstand ticket.(Kansas Speedway)(9-21-2011)

Kansas Speedway Extends Ticket Office Hours: As the days to the Hollywood Casino 400 weekend count down, Kansas Speedway is extending its office hours for race fans wanting to purchase tickets for the Kansas Lottery 98.9, Kansas Lottery 300 and the Hollywood Casino 400. Starting Saturday, Sept. 17, the Kansas Speedway Ticket Office will be open from 9 AM - 3 PM. The following Saturday, Sept. 24, the Ticket Office will also be open from 9 AM - 3 PM. On Oct. 1 (Saturday) and Oct. 2 (Sunday) the Ticket Office will be open from 9 AM - 3 PM each day for fans wanting to purchase tickets. Kansas Speedway's ticket office will also continue its regular office hours, Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 5 PM. Fans can also purchase race tickets by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com.(Kansas Speedway)(9-17-2011)

Easton Corbin to entertain fans prior to Hollywood Casino 400: As the championship actions heats up on the track at Kansas Speedway on Oct. 9, Easton Corbin, one of country music's hottest new acts, will warm up the crowd for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway in a pre-race concert. Corbin, who has been compared to country music icon George Strait, broke onto the country music scene with his debut single, "A Little More Country than That", which peaked at No. 1 on the country charts for the week ending April 3, 2010. Corbin, who signed with Mercury Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville in 2009, is currently touring with Flatts Fest 2011, which features Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans and Justin Moore, after spending 2010 on tour with Brad Paisley.(Kansas Speedway)(9-15-2011)

Kansas announces 2012 race dates: Kansas Speedway officials announced that the facility will again host two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends in 2012, albeit both will be held on different surfaces, and the spring event weekend has moved to April to ensure the recently announced track improvements are completed. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns with the inaugural SFP 250 on Saturday, April 21 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns with the STP 400 on April 22, 2012, which will be the final race at the facility under its current design and with the current racing surface. When NASCAR returns to Kansas Speedway for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 20 and the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 21, 2012, race teams will need to throw out the notes they have cultivated over the past decade at the facility and prepare for a new racing surface that includes banking up to 20 degrees. Remaining 2011 events at Kansas Speedway include the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 9, the Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 8 and the Kansas Lottery 98.9 on Oct. 7 and tickets for all events are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(9-2-2011)

Kansas Speedway to repave in 2012: Immediately following the 2012 STP 400 at Kansas Speedway, the track will undergo a massive renovation project that includes repaving of the existing track surface, reconfiguration of the oval, and the addition of a new infield road course. “These are significant projects for Kansas Speedway and our fans,” said Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren. “Given the harsh weather conditions in the Midwest, a repave of our existing racing surface was a must. Repaving a track is a huge undertaking so we decided it was the right time to make the other changes to our facility, which we believe will enhance our fans experience at Kansas Speedway.”
ISC Design and Development, International Speedway Corporation’s in-house design and construction group, will oversee the repave and road course projects. The group will utilize state of the art computer modeling to develop track geometry that features up to 20 degrees of variable banking in the turns; the current banking at Kansas Speedway is 15 degree uniform banking in the turns. To accomplish this reconfiguration, construction crews will remove the existing oval track asphalt pavement and re-grade the underlying soil to create the variable banking. In addition to the turns, the frontstretch, backstretch and pit road will all be reconstructed. The STP 400 on April 22, 2012 will be the final race at the facility under its current design and with the current racing surface.
Kansas Speedway’s new road course will feature a layout that winds through the infield. Portions of the infield will be graded and paved as part of the road course development.
Kansas Speedway will host the Hollywood Casino 400 (fourth Race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup) on Oct. 9, 2011 and the Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 8, 2011. Tickets for all events are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(7-7-2011)

Kansas recognizing Congressional Medal of Honor Winner: When Kansas Speedway hosts its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event of the year, it will happen six days after Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have lost their lives in service for their country. Throughout the years, there have been countless military members who have put their lives on the line to save their friends and on June 5, Kansas Speedway will recognize one of those men - retired Col. Don Ballard, who selflessly put himself in harms way to protect his fellow comrades from enemy fire. In 1968, Ballard was a Navy Corpsman assigned to the Marines during Vietnam. As he attempted to move several injured Marines to a safer location, Ballard's unit was ambushed. He repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire as he moved and treated the Marines. At one point, the location was engulfed in crossfire and an enemy hand grenade landed amongst the wounded. Ballard picked it up and threw it back. After a few minutes, another grenade was thrown at his position. Not having time to pick it up, he selflessly through his body on the grenade to protect his patients. After a few minutes with no explosion, Ballard reached underneath him and grabbed the grenade and threw it away. According to witnesses, the grenade exploded in midair seconds later out of harms way.(Kansas Speedway)(6-1-2011)

Richard Petty Named Grand Marshal of STP 400: NASCAR’s most decorated driver will give the command to start engines for the inaugural STP 400 at Kansas Speedway. Known simply as “The King”, Petty’s association with STP made him a natural selection for the June 5th event. “As our partnership with STP developed we became excited at the many opportunities it presented. STP’s return to the sport and longtime relationship with Richard lends an element of our sport’s history to Kansas Speedway.” said Pat Warren, president of Kansas Speedway. Petty, winner of a record 200 races, seven NASCAR Cup championships and inaugural inductee into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame, will have a busy weekend at Kansas Speedway. On Friday morning at 9:00 am, “The King” will be available to the media in the track’s infield media center. From 9-9:30 am Saturday, he will conduct a question and answer session in the Sprint Fan Walk located between the Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series garages. Fans can participate in Saturday morning’s Q & A by purchasing Sprint Fan Walk tickets online at kansasspeedway.com or by calling 866.460.RACE.
Kansas Speedway will host the STP 400, the first of two Sprint Cup races this year on Sunday, June 5th. The series will be joined by the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on June 4th for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250. The Nationwide Series will be in action on Saturday, October 8th for the running of the Kansas Lottery 300, followed by the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway Cup event on Sunday, October 9th. Tickets for all Kansas Speedway events are on sale now and are available by calling 866.460.RACE or by visiting kansasspeedway.com. As always, parking is free and race fans are welcome to bring a 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler into the grandstands with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(5-30-2011)

Help Kansas Speedway Provide Disaster Relief to Kansas and Missouri: Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren announced today that Kansas Speedway will provide an opportunity for race fans to assist the disaster relief efforts in the tornado ravaged areas of Reading, Kansas and Joplin, Missouri.
For a $25 donation to the American Red Cross, fans will have the opportunity to drive their personal vehicle around Kansas Speedway on Friday, June 24 from 2 PM – 7 PM. For a donation of $50 to the American Red Cross, fans will have the opportunity to drive their vehicles around Kansas Speedway on Saturday, June 19 from 6:30 PM – 10 PM as part of the first event under the lights at Kansas Speedway.
“In times of crisis, it’s important for everyone to come together and help those in need,” said Warren. “We have several ticket holders in each of these devastated areas and we wanted to make sure they know that they, along with the rest of their communities, are not forgotten during times like this. I challenge others in our community, both race fans and non-race fans, to join us in our efforts to provide support to these areas.”
Cash and check donations will be accepted by the American Red Cross at Kansas Speedway on June 4 - 5. Vouchers will be given to any fan that donates during Kansas Speedway’s upcoming race weekend that will be redeemable for the corresponding date. All vehicles must be street legal and equipped with enough seatbelts for all passengers. RV’s, tractor trailers and motorcycles will not be permitted. Fans can text “redcross” to 90999 to contribute a $10 donation. Fans are also encouraged to visit the American Red Cross website, www.redcross.org, for additional ways to assist the relief efforts.(Kansas Speedway)(5-24-2011)

Jake Owen to Entertain Fans before at Kansas: In addition to the thrills on the track, race fans will experience an “Eight Second Ride,” coupled with a dose of “Yee-Haw,” when country superstar Jake Owen takes to the stage prior to the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway. Owen, a Florida native, is expected to perform hits from his first album, “Startin’ With Me,” and his sophomore effort, “Easy Does It.” The RCA Nashville recording artist is a CMA-ACM-Grammy nominated entertainer known for his southern style and charm, he cites Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr. and Conway Twitty as those who inspire his music. Tickets for the STP 400, which includes the Jake Owen pre-race concert, are available now. Individual tickets for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on June 4th are also on sale. Fans can purchase tickets to Kansas Speedway by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com.(Kansas Speedway)(4-30-2011)

STP jumping back into racing: UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon, STP will announce its return to big league racing, an aggressive sponsorship plan that will have the old familiar "racer's edge" mantra back in NASCAR's Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series as well as the NHRA, plus multiple racetrack sponsorships. It begins with NASCAR's split weekend of June 4-5, when the Saturday night Nationwide Series event at Chicagoland Speedway will be the STP 300 and the following Sunday afternoon's Sprint Cup race will be the STP 400. That same weekend, Richard Petty's famous #43 car, driven by A.J. Allmendinger, will carry The King's iconic 1972 STP paint scheme, marking the first time that car has carried those colors since a two-race deal in 2006. In addition, STP has signed track sponsorship deals with International Speedway Corp. properties, including Daytona, Talladega, Richmond, Darlington, Michigan, Chicagoland and Kansas. The company has also inked a multiyear sponsorship of Infineon Raceway, including title sponsorship of its Wednesday night drag racing series.(ESPN.com)(4-13-2010)
UPDATE: When STP and Richard Petty first signed a deal in 1972, it forever changed the sponsorship landscape within the sport of auto racing. To mark its 39 year history in racing, the STP brand is building its presence in the sport through multiple series’ including NASCAR, NHRA, World of Outlaws, Infineon Speedway, and at several International Speedway Corporation (ISC) tracks. STP’s racing portfolio includes:
• Multi-year title sponsorship of the Nationwide and Cup races at Chicagoland Speedway and Kansas Speedway, respectively. This year, the STP 300 Nationwide Series race will take place on June 4 and the STP 400 Cup race will run on June 5.
• The STP-branded #43 car will make its return to the track driven by Richard Petty Motorsports driver, AJ Allmendinger, during the STP 400. The No. 43 STP Ford Fusion will be a modern replica of the 1972 paint scheme featuring the original Petty Blue and STP Day-Glo Red.
• Primary sponsor of two-time NHRA Full Throttle Nitro Funny Car Champion Tony Pedregon for three races (Las Vegas, Houston and Infineon) and an associate sponsorship for the balance of the season.
• Multi-year track sponsorships with a number of ISC properties including Daytona, Talladega, Richmond, Darlington, Michigan, Chicagoland and Kansas.
• Multi-year track sponsorship of Infineon Raceway and title sponsor of Wednesday Night Drags and Bracket Drags.
• Continued sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing and four-time World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz and the World of Outlaws Series.(MATTER, Edelman/STP)(4-13-2011)

Kansas Speedway partnering with Harvesters on June 3: Kansas Speedway is partnering with Harvesters - The Community Food Network to benefit Harvesters' BackSnack program. Fans that attend the June 3 practice sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Kansas Speedway will be able to make a monetary donation to the BackSnack program when they enter the gates at Kansas Speedway. The BackSnack program, provides backpacks of healthy, kid-friendly food to low-income children who are at risk of being hungry on the weekends. Harvesters provides the food and backpacks, and a community partner cleans and fills the backpacks with food each week. Schools distribute the backpacks on Fridays to students who then bring them back on Mondays to start the process again. This year alone, the BackSnack program is feeding more than 13,000 students each weekend in Harvesters' 26-county service area. It takes $200 to provide one backpack to one child for the entire school year. Volunteers from Harvesters will be on hand to collect the donations at the Speedway or race fans can donate $10 to Harvesters by texting FOOD to 41010.(Kansas Speedway)(4-13-2011)

Kansas June race, qualifying on Saturday: In a continual effort to optimize the fan experience while allowing fans to stretch their entertainment dollar, Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren announced that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying for the Kansas Speedway 400 will take place on Saturday, June 4, 2011. “We feel that that by moving Sprint Cup qualifying from Friday to Saturday will allow fans to be more involved in the entire weekend’s festivities while easing some travel and lodging concerns,” said Warren. “Our fans will be able to see Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series qualifying in addition, to the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 truck series event on the same day.” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams will vie for the pole position beginning at 9:40 am followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying at 11:10 am. Opening ceremonies for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 will begin at 12:30 pm with trucks taking the green flag at 1:00 pm. O’Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying Day for the Oct. 9 Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway will be on Friday, Oct. 7. Tickets are available for all races by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking at Kansas Speedway is always free and fans may bring one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler into the grandstands to enjoy their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(3-29-2011)

Kansas signs longterm sponsor of fall Sprint Cup race: Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren announced that Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will sponsor the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race for 10 years beginning with the Oct. 9, 2011 race. The race will be the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway and is a part of NASCAR’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. In April 2010, construction began on the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway overlooking Turn Two of the speedway. The new facility is expected to open in the first half of 2012. Single race tickets for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, as well as all events on the 2011 Kansas Speedway schedule, are currently on sale. The $300 million Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is being developed by Kansas Entertainment, a joint venture of Kansas Speedway Development Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISC), and Penn Hollywood Kansas, Inc., a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming Inc.
The first phase of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will include a state-of-the-art casino with capacity for 2,300 slot machines, 61 table games and 25 poker tables on a 100,000 square-foot gaming floor. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will also feature 28,000 square-feet of other amenities including restaurants, clubs and nightlife attractions. The addition of the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is estimated to bring nearly 440,000 tourists per year to the facility and create over 1,000 full time positions; elevating the facility to a year-round tourist destination.
The Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway is part of an action packed race weekend that will include the Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Oct. 8. Penn National Gaming will bring VIP guests from its 17 gaming facilities throughout the country to Kansas Speedway where they will have the opportunity to meet NASCAR drivers, tour the infield and pit areas, and enjoy special seating and entertainment during the weekend’s races.
Kansas Speedway tickets are on sale now for the 2011 season. Season tickets are available, starting at just $159 and include two NASCAR Sprint Cup races, the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck race, the Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and a Track Pass for each Sunday race event. Individual tickets are also on sale now for all events (June 4 O’Reilly Auto Parts 250, the June 5 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Oct. 8 Kansas Lottery 300 and the Oct. 9 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race). Tickets for the June 5 Sprint Cup race start at just $59 and tickets for the Oct. 9 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race start at $64. Tickets are available by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking at Kansas Speedway is always free. Fans can bring into the grandstands a 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and drinks.(Kansas Speedway)(2-18-2011)

Kansas making changes to enhance fan experience: Continuing to make Kansas Speedway the best guest experience in motorsports, Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren announced several enhancements to the fan experience at Kansas Speedway, including two projects that will total over $2 million. Kansas Speedway is increasing the width of its seats throughout the grandstands, a project that is scheduled to be completed for the new June event weekend (June 4-5, 2011). The project will increase seat widths of both chair back and bleacher seating. Seats that are currently 18 inches will become 20 inches and seats that are 20 inches will increase to 22 inches, which will improve fan comfort during events. The previous grandstand seats, both aluminum and plastic, will be recycled.
In addition to widening seats in the grandstand, Kansas Speedway is also increasing the size of coolers fans can bring to the track. Starting with the June events, soft-sided coolers measuring 14”x14”x14” or 2,700 cubic inches will be permitted – which is six times bigger than in years past. Coolers of this size typically have a removable plastic liner and are branded to hold 24 to 36 cans of carbonated beverages. To ensure these items fit underneath grandstand seats and do not block walkways, coolers with telescoping handles and wheels will not be permitted. As part of its standard policy, hard-sided coolers will not be allowed into the grandstand area.
Safety improvements allow enhanced convenience for fans while continuing to provide a secure environment. To make it more convenient for fans to carry additional items such as cameras, radio scanners and souvenirs, fans can now utilize lightweight backpacks or daypacks similar to those used by school students. Fan comfort and safety remains a top priority so all items carried into the speedway will be subject to a thorough and complete search by security personnel prior to entering the ticket gates. Kansas Speedway is adding to its popular Blue Ox campground with an additional paved lot on the north side of Speedway property adjacent to State Blvd. The campground will add 185 camping spots to the facility.
When race fans arrive at Kansas Speedway in June, they will also notice the new Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway as the steel portion of the project is expected to be completed by the end of February. Overlooking Turn 2, the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is slated to open in the first quarter of 2012. Parking at Kansas Speedway is always free. Kansas Speedway tickets are on sale now for the 2011 season and are available by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com.(Kansas Speedway)(2-6-2011)

Kansas Speedway will widen some seats: Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren announced several enhancements to the fan experience at Kansas Speedway, including two projects that will total over $2 million. Kansas Speedway is increasing the width of its seats throughout the grandstands, a project that is scheduled to be completed for the new June event weekend (June 4-5, 2011). The project will increase seat widths of both chair back and bleacher seating. Seats that are currently 18 inches will become 20 inches and seats that are 20 inches will increase to 22 inches, which will improve fan comfort during events. The previous grandstand seats, both aluminum and plastic, will be recycled. In addition to widening seats in the grandstand, Kansas Speedway is also increasing the size of coolers fans can bring to the track. Starting with the June events, soft-sided coolers measuring 14"x14"x14" or 2,700 cubic inches will be permitted - which is six times bigger than in years past.(Kansas Speedway)(1-28-2011)

Kansas Speedway donating to backback program: Each year, thousands of children across the country receive free and reduced-price school meals during the week, but are at risk of going hungry on the weekends. That includes Wyandotte County where approximately 1,540 children are enrolled in Harvesters BackSnack program. Kansas Speedway is making a $15,000 donation to Harvesters through the Community Foundation of Wyandotte County to help fund the BackSnack program. The Community Foundation of Wyandotte County has also agreed to match the donation. The program, which began as a pilot project in 2004, provides backpacks of food to low-income children for the weekend. Harvesters provides the food and backpacks, and a partnering organization cleans them out and packs them with food each week. Schools distribute the backpacks on Friday to students who then bring them back on Monday to start the process again. This year alone, the BackSnack program will feed approximately 13,000 students each weekend in Harvesters 26-county service area. It takes $200 to provide one backpack to one child for the entire school year and anyone interested in participating in the program is encouraged to contact Harvesters online or by phone at 816.929.3010.(Kansas Speedway)(12-20-2010)

Repaving and graduated banking in the furture for Kansas? Darren Cook, vice president of operations at Kansas Speedway, told RacinToday Tuesday that the surface of the 1.5-mile Kansas track has aged to the point where it is just a matter of time before it will need to be replaced and that that time is drawing near. And when it is replaced, Cook said, the current banking of 15 degrees in the corners, 10.4 degrees in the front stretch and five degrees in the back stretch will likely give way to the type of graduated banking that has been so successful at places like Homestead-Miami Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Kansas Speedway was completed in time for the 2001 season of racing. The surface at the track was pronounced back then to be high tech and state of the art. Since then, it has hosted 10 seasons of Sprint Cup, Nationwide, Camping World Trucks, ARCA and Indy Racing League events. And it has also undergone something which few other tracks hosting major events have undergone – brutal Heartland weather conditions that aggressively attack asphalt surfaces. Cook said that the freeze-and-thaw cycle in the Heartland has issued a beating to the Kansas Speedway surface. He also said that low quality materials and a “less than ideal job” during construction may have contributed to a deterioration of joints in the asphalt. “We’d look at a variable-banking surface because it would create side-by-side racing quicker than waiting for a second groove to come in at a track that is not as banked. You could go up there high because you got greater banking than the guy below you. You got to create a reason to be up above.” Both Homestead and Las Vegas now top out at 20 degrees of banking in the turns. Speeds have gone up at those places and the racing has improved. Progressive banking could be accomplished without a massive re-excavation of the facility. That is a must, Cook said. Speedway officials would not want to institute a fix that would necessitate a reworked apron and infield on the bottom of the track and new walls – and big grandstand reconfigurations – at the top of the track. And, he said, the track will remain a 1.5-miler. Also tricky at Kansas will be the actual construction. In the track’s area of the country, work can stop for long periods in the winter months. Cook said studies will have to be done on which would be the best construction window – after the October race and hope it can be completed for the June race, or after the June race and hope to complete it by the October race. Cook said the talks have just begun on the matter and no timetable has been set for the repave. Construction is currently under way on the Hollywood Casino above Turn 2 of the track. Construction of the casino delayed construction of a planned infield road course at Kansas.(RacinToday)(10-6-2010)

Kansas Speedway to introduce tickets for individual races in 2011: Kansas Speedway is changing its ticket policy for 2011 and will allow fans to purchase tickets for each of the four races instead of requiring they buy season tickets. For the first time in the track’s 11-year history, the 2011 schedule will include two NASCAR Sprint Cup races. The 2011 schedule calls for the NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series and Sprint Cup Series on June 4 and 5, and the Oct. 8 and 9 weekend will be include the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup. In previous years, fans were required to buy season tickets for all speedway events — the IndyCar Series, the Camping World Trucks Series, the NASCAR Nationwide and the Sprint Cup series. This season, fans had the option of buying weekend packages. Next season, the IndyCar Series will not return, and with two Sprint Cup race weekends, Kansas Speedway officials decided to make tickets for individual races or through a season ticket. Pat Warren, the president of Kansas Speedway said the starting price for the Sprint Cup race in June will be $59, and $64 in October because it’s a Chase for the Sprint Cup event. The Track Pass is for each of the two Sprint Cup races and enables season ticket holders to attend all of the pre-race activities that include concerts, driver introductions, it’s drivers’ appearances on the infield. This weekend, the Nationwide Series on Saturday attracted a crowd of about 70,000, and the Sprint Cup race drew an estimated 100,000 at Kansas Speedway, which seats 82,000 in addition to RVs that fill the infield and overlook the track.(Kansas City Star)(10-4-2010)

Biffle wins at Kansas: #16-Greg Biffle won the Price Chopper 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway for his 2nd win of 2010 last winning at Pocono, 7 races ago and the 16th win of his career. #48-Johnson finished second followed by #29-Harvick, #14-Stewart, #24-Gordon, #99-Edwards, #17-Kenseth, #98-Menard, #39-Newman and #43-Allmendinger. Pole sitter #9-Kahne finished 37th after losing a tire and hitting the wall.
There were 20 lead changes among 12 drivers and 5 cautions for 24 yellow flag laps. The attendance was reported at 100,000, same as 2009.
Scheduled Race Re-Airs are ESPN2, Monday, October 4 at 2:00am/et; and SPEED, October 6 at 12:00pm/et.
See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski's Kansas Race Results/Awards page.(10-3-2010)
See drivers championship points standings, the old system and more on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(10-3-2010)

Kansas announces two race dates for 2011: Kansas Speedway and International Speedway Corporation announced that NASCAR has approved ISC’s request for realignment and beginning in 2011, Kansas Speedway will host two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends. The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend will be held June 4-5 and the second event weekend will be the fourth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Oct. 8-9.(Kansas Speedway)(8-10-2010)

Lights going up at Kansas: Kansas Speedway will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2011 with two NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends — one in June, the other in October — and lights for the facility. The addition of lights was estimated in excess of $2 million when Kansas Speedway began requesting them, but much of the conduits and infrastructure for lights were installed when the $260 million track was built. When ISC did not approve the installation of lights, Kansas Speedway eventually moved those races to late April and early May in 2007. Now, with a Cup weekend in June and the casino in operation around the clock in 2011, the timing was right for lights at the track. “The lights are going up,” said Kansas Speedway president Pat Warren, “but whether we have a night race next year is still a question. The lights won’t be functioning this fall, but they’ll be completed by next spring.”(Kansas City Star)(8-9-2010)

Kansas Speedway Announces Hiring & Promotion: Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren announced today the hiring of Chris Schwartz as the Vice President of Marketing and Sales and the promotion of Darren Cook to Vice President of Operations. Schwartz will be responsible for all aspects of consumer marketing, ticketing, public relations, and corporate sales at Kansas Speedway. He has worked for Penske Racing, The Valvoline Company, Conseco, M3 Management and most recently he was the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Cook has been with Kansas Speedway for eight years overseeing all aspects of facility operations. Prior to joining the Speedway, Cook was the Facilities Director at the University of Kansas for 19 years where he was responsible for the University’s athletic facilities, including Allen Fieldhouse and Memorial Stadium. Kansas Speedway tickets for Sept. 30 – Oct. 3, 2010 events are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE or going to www.kansasspeedway.com.(KS PR)(7-10-2010)

Some 2011 schedule speculation: It appears more likely than ever the 2011 Sprint Cup slate will have a much different look than it has in recent seasons. NASCAR acknowledged both SMI and ISC have requested realignment date changes for next year, and there are reports Kentucky and a second date for Las Vegas will be part of the SMI plan, at the expense of races in New Hampshire and Atlanta, and Kansas will gain a second NASCAR weekend when Auto Club Speedway gets stripped of its February date.(CBS Sports) to see what tracks have already confirmed their dates for next year, check out my 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 'tentative' Schedule page.(7-5-2010)

ISC formally requests second date for Kansas: International Speedway Corp. has formally petitioned NASCAR to give Kansas Speedway a second Sprint Cup race as early as 2011. ISC spokesman Lenny Santiago says he expects an answer later this summer, before NASCAR unveils next year's schedule. He declined to talk about details of the petition that include potential dates. Santiago believes Kansas is a strong candidate to get a second race because of the track's history of well-attended events and the construction of a new casino overlooking the track. It also could help that NASCAR's primary sponsor, Sprint, is headquartered in Overland Park, Kan. It's unclear how the Cup schedule would shake out if NASCAR grants Kansas a second date.(Associated Press/ESPN)(7-2-2010)

2011: Kansas 2nd date? Kentucky may not go Cup? No word yet on NASCAR's 2011 tour schedule. But that new second Cup weekend proposed for Kansas City, with the opening of that new casino just outside the first turn, has some stock car racing promoters wondering – perhaps sweating out -- just where that Cup date will come from. With the NASCAR Cup tour already working 38 weeks a season, no one expects CEO Brian France to add a 39th week for Kansas. Rather that that new race will have to come at the expense of one of the France family's current International Speedway Corp. (ISC) tracks. ISC runs 19 Sprint Cup events at its 12 tracks: Daytona, California, Martinsville, Phoenix, Talladega, Richmond, Darlington, Michigan, Chicagoland, Watkins Glen, Kansas and Homestead-Miami. The ISC track losing a week for that second Kansas race? Michigan president Roger Curtis insists that it won't be his, that this track will continue to host two Cup events. Curtis, who took the reins here in 2006, has just cut the ribbon on a huge new array of pit road suites and infield-to-grandstand pedestrian tunnel, part of some $55 million in capital improvement projects, including a new scoreboard, new sound system, better infield drainage, and 23,000 more grandstand seats. (Here's Curtis talking about his 'infield project: http://bit.ly/c17XTV ) And Curtis says NASCAR officials want him next to start rebuilding the garage area itself, which really hasn't been greatly improved in years.
But Bruton Smith, who runs rival Speedway Motorsports (SMI), may be backing away from pushing for a Cup weekend in 2011 at his Kentucky Speedway, which hosted Saturday night's Nationwide 300 (to a less than 72,000-capacity crowd). Smith, to move a Cup date to Kentucky, would also likely have to cut a Cup weekend from one of his seven tracks [Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Infineon, Las Vegas, New Hampshire and Texas] current tracks that host 12 races.(MikeMulhern.net)(6-14-2010)

Groundbreaking for casino at Kansas Speedway: Kansas Entertainment, LLC, commenced construction of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway as Company representatives and local officials recently conducted a groundbreaking ceremony at Turn 2, the track-side site of the new facility. Kansas Entertainment is a 50/50 joint venture of Penn Hollywood Kansas, Inc, a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc.and Kansas Speedway Development Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation. The following company representatives and local officials participated in the groundbreaking ceremony:
· Tim Wilmott, President and Chief Operating Officer of Penn National Gaming;
· Troy Findley, Lieutenant Governor of Kansas;
· William Falstad, Commissioner of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission;
· Ed Van Petten, Kansas Lottery Executive Director;
· Jeff Boerger, President of Kansas Speedway Development Corporation; and,
· Joe Reardon, Mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.
The first phase of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway includes a state-of-the-art casino and is expected to open in early 2012 with 2,300 slot machines, 61 gaming tables and 25 poker tables on a 100,000 square-foot gaming floor. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will also feature 28,000 square-feet of other amenities including restaurants, clubs and night-life attractions. The addition of the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is estimated to bring nearly 440,000 tourists per year and created 1,050 full time positions; elevating the state to a first-class, year-round tourist destination.(Kansas Speedway)(5-3-2010)

ISC to evaluate tracks before deciding which loses race to Kansas: The chief operating officer for International Speedway Corp., Roger VanDerSnick, says the financial fortunes of Auto Club Speedway of Southern California, Phoenix International Raceway and Michigan International Speedway will be evaluated in 2010 as ISC tries to decide how to shift a Sprint Cup race to Kansas Speedway in 2011. Those three tracks are among the four ISC markets hit worst by the economic downturn. The fourth is south Florida, where Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts the season finales for NASCAR's three major series. "Those are our four challenging areas: Southern California, Phoenix, Michigan and Florida," VanDerSnick said. "We have a decision to make for 2011 on what date goes to Kansas? So we have a number of different models helping us drive through the decision-making process on that. Once we're close to a recommendation, we'll make a proposal to NASCAR that we want to realign a race to Kansas for that second weekend." Kansas Speedway has been waiting on approval for a casino complex that is expected to receive final approval next month by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. Part of the speedway's pitch for the facility was the guarantee of a second annual Cup race, which would be on the 2011 schedule. NASCAR usually releases its annual schedules in late summer, and VanDerSnick says discussions with tracks normally begin in March and continue through spring. The first Cup races for Auto Club (Feb. 21) and Phoenix (April 10) are within or before that timeframe. Michigan's first Cup race is June 13.(USA Today)(1-18-2010)

Price Chopper, Kraft Foods Renew Sponsorship at Kansas: Kansas Speedway announced today that Price Chopper and Kraft Foods have renewed their sponsorship of the facility’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods, scheduled for Oct. 3, 2010. Starting with the 2010 season, fans can purchase a weekend only ticket that includes the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods and the Kansas Lottery 300. Individual tickets for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 and the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 are also available. Fans can also purchase a season ticket that includes all four races and the new Kansas Speedway Track Pass that will allow access to driver introductions and Sprint FanWalk prior to each Sunday race. To purchase Kansas Speedway tickets, call 866.460.RACE or log onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Kansas Speedway continues to offer free parking and allows fans to bring in a 6x6x12-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and drink.(Kansas Speedway)(12-18-2009)

2010 Kansas Speedway Tickets on Sale: Kansas Speedway tickets for the 2010 season will go on sale Dec. 15, 2009. Kansas Speedway will continue to offer fans a season ticket option, which will include four races (NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide Series, IZOD IndyCar Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series) over two weekends and access to the new Track Pass, which will allow season ticket holders access to the infield to take part in driver introductions and Sprint FanWalk prior to each Sunday race. New in 2010, Kansas Speedway is offering fans the opportunity to purchase a weekend-only ticket for Oct. 2 – 3, 2010, that includes the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kansas 400 and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300. Also new in 2010, fans will be able to purchase tickets to the IZOD IndyCar Series Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 (May 1, 2010) and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 (May 2, 2010) races separately. To purchase Kansas Speedway tickets, call 866.460.RACE or log onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Kansas Speedway continues to offer free parking and allows fans to bring in a 6x6x12-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and drink.(Kansas Speedway)(12-13-2009)

Kansas Speedway casino project approved: Kansas Entertainment, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture of Penn Hollywood Kansas, Inc, a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc. and Kansas Speedway Development Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (“ISC”), was selected on Tuesday by the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board to develop and operate a Hollywood-themed entertainment destination facility overlooking Turn 2 at Kansas Speedway in the North East Gaming Zone in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Based on its selection, and subject to background investigations and licensing by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission which are expected to be completed in early 2010, Kansas Entertainment would begin construction of the Hollywood-themed and branded entertainment destination facility in the second half of 2010 with a planned opening in the first quarter of 2012.
The initial phase of the new facility, budgeted at $386 million, would include a 100,000-square-foot casino floor with capacity for 2,300 slot machines and 86 table games, a high-energy lounge and a variety of dining and entertainment options. Additional project phases including a hotel, expanded gaming space, a spa, convention center and entertainment retail district, have been master planned and will be developed based on market demand. Penn National Gaming and International Speedway Corporation will equally share the full development cost and future cash requirements which are expected to approximate $290 million and be comprised of project financing, gaming equipment lease financing and owner equity contributions.(Kansas Speedway)(12-2-2009)

Kansas Speedway presented American Flag Flown in Afghanistan: Kansas Speedway has been presented an American flag that was flown aboard an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Tail #321 during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 09-10. “On behalf of the entire Kansas Speedway staff, we’re honored to be presented this flag by Maj. Matthew Weinshel and we will proudly display it in our offices,” said Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger. “We’re thankful for all of the brave men and women in our military who protect our freedom on a daily basis. The staff at Kansas Speedway was fortunate to meet several US Special Operations Command members, including Maj. Weinshel, prior to our 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and many of those that joined us on that day are currently serving overseas.” Maj. Weinshel changed units to the 82d Combat Aviation Brigade in December, 2008, specifically Task Force Saber. Task Force Saber is the tip of the spear in the aerial fight against insurgents in Afghanistan’s southern province of Kandahar. It’s comprised of two troops, OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, one company of AH-64D Apaches, two UH-60C Blackhawks, one company of Pathfinders and aviation unit maintenance troop, a forward support troop and a headquarters element. Maj. Weinshel was the pilot during this operation. The US Special Operations Command took part in a special pre-race ceremony in 2008, delivering the pace car for the Kansas 400.(Kansas Speedway)(11-11-2009)

Kansas: Tar of Death?: It seems there could be trouble with the racing surface at Kansas Speedway. That trouble would be with the seams. The tar filling the seams, to be exact, is sending the Sprint Cup cars off their intended course. #2-Kurt Busch called it, “The tar of death”. #24-Jeff Gordon said, “The seams are unreal. I don’t know if they put a different sealer on them or what’s going on. The seams, beside the wind, are playing havoc today.” The four-time champion said the tar-covered seams are forcing drivers to make decisions. “You either got to go above them, straddle them or somehow get below them,” Gordon said. “It’s definitely challenging.” Busch said, “Last year I had a hard time here at Kansas. I don’t know when they put that tar sealant down to help with drainage, water getting into the cracks and pot holes developing or big bumps…(but) I couldn’t go from the second lane to the third lane or the second lane back to the first lane without crossing the ‘tar of death’. It was tough.”(Racin' Today)(10-3-2009)

Kansas Speedway Offering New Ticket Options for 2010: Starting in 2010, fans attending races at Kansas Speedway will have new ticket options as Kansas Speedway celebrates its 10th anniversary. For the first time, Kansas Speedway will offer ticketing options besides a season ticket. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a weekend only package that will include the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kansas 400 and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300. Also new in 2010 is the option for fans to purchase the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 and the IndyCar Series Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 individually. Kansas Speedway will continue to offer fans a season ticket option, which will include four races over two weekends and access to the new Track Pass, which will allow season ticket holders access to the infield to take part in driver introductions and Sprint FanWalk for each Sunday race. For more information regarding 2010 tickets, call 866.460.RACE or log onto www.kansasspeedway.com.(10-2-2009)

Kansas Speedway donates tix to National Guard: The Kansas Speedway has donated approximately 3,000 tickets for Kansas National Guard personnel to attend an upcoming NASCAR race, the Adjutant General's Department announced Thursday. Tickets for the upcoming NASCAR Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300 Saturday and the Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 Sunday were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger said the tickets were donated to thank the men and women of the military and their families for everything they do for the country. "Our men and women who serve at home and overseas work in a fast-paced environment," said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general, "and since there aren't many things faster than NASCAR, this provides them and their families a great opportunity. We appreciate the generosity of Kansas Speedway and their ongoing support of our soliders and airmen." The Kansas Speedway has donated tickets to other racing events in the past, and the facilities have been used for Kansas National Guard training events.(Topeka Capital Journal)(10-2-2009)

K-State solar car to be on display at Kansas Speedway: Members of Kansas State University’s solar car team will be displaying their car, Paragon, at two locations in the Kansas City area: at the Kansas Speedway Friday, Oct. 2; and at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday, Oct. 3, for the K-State football game against Iowa State University. The Kansas City Catbackers helped arrange the solar car’s display in conjunction with the K-State football game at Arrowhead and NASCAR events at the Kansas Speedway. The K-State solar car team has been building and racing solar cars since 1995. Paragon was built by the team in 2005 for the North American Solar Challenge. Members of the team are primarily K-State students in electrical and mechanical engineering, but all disciplines are welcome on the team. The cars take about two years to design and build and are built for cross-country endurance races rather than racing at tracks like the Kansas Speedway. It will be the first time the K-State team has shown the solar car at a NASCAR event.(Reflector-Chronicle)(9-30-2009)

Blaine Larsen Performing National Anthem at Kansas Speedway: Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger announced today that TREEHOUSE recording artist Blaine Larsen will perform the national anthem prior to the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods on Oct. 4. Kansas Speedway ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 866.460.RACE or logging on kansasspeedway.com. Packages include the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods, the Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series, the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 IndyCar Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Fans are permitted to bring in one 6x6x12-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and drinks, and parking is always free.(Kansas Speedway)(9-30-2009)

Kansas Performing Pre-Race Concert at Kansas Speedway: It's only fitting that when local drivers Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards race at their "home track" in the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods, that classic rock band Kansas plays a pre-race concert at their "home track" as well. Kansas, who has a host of platinum and gold records, will be performing at Kansas Speedway in a pre-race concert for the first time on Oct. 4. Kansas Speedway ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 866.460.RACE or logging on kansasspeedway.com.(Kansas PR)(8-27-2009)

New emergency texting available to race patrons: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(Associated Press)(5-14-2009)