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)
- Kansas donates race tix to National Guard: In a show of support for the men and women of the Kansas National Guard, Kansas Speedway has donated approximately 2,500 tickets to the Guard for the upcoming NASCAR Camping World Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 on Saturday, April 25. The tickets are being distributed to Kansas National Guard personnel on a “first-come, first-served” basis.(Kansas Speedway PR)(4-21-2009)
- Will Martinsville lose a race? Michigan? Kansas Speedway has resubmitted its bid for a casino overlooking Turn 2, a plan that was put on hold a few months ago cause of the troubled economy. When it's approved by the gaming commission Kansas Speedway will petition NASCAR for a second annual Sprint Cup race. That will probably happen in 2011. Lesa France Kennedy is the president of International Speedway Corp., which owns Kansas Speedway and 11 other facilities that play host to Cup events. The France family has controlling interest in ISC, which is headquartered in the same building as the NASCAR offices in Daytona. NASCAR chairman Brian France is Lesa's brother. But NASCAR won't add a race. Cup has too many events now at 36 points races and two all-star events. So the second Kansas date will need to come from another ISC track. Martinsville, an ISC track and the oldest facility in NASCAR, was thought to be the location that would lose a race. Don't count on it. Martinsville is the new Bristol. The resurfaced track at Bristol has eliminated much of the bumping, banging and crashing that made the short track so popular. That leaves Martinsville as the best bumper-bashing facility left. NASCAR officials aren't going to mess that up and take a race away from the old Virginia track, a move that would cause a revolt by many fans. Martinsville appears safe for keeping both Cup dates until ISC manages to build a new short track (probably more like the .75-mile oval at Richmond) in a big market like Denver or Seattle. That's a long way off, several years at least. So which ISC track will lose a Cup date to Kansas? Most fans would opt for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., but Michigan Speedway might be the odd-place out. Sponsors want to race twice at ACS because it's in the second largest market in the country. Michigan, an almost identical track to ACS but 30 years older, lies in one of the most depressed areas of the country. Thousands of people in the Detroit market are out of work because of the layoffs in the auto industry. Being in the backyard of GM, Chrysler and Ford's headquarters was a big reason Michigan had played host to two Cup races a year since 1969. No one knows whether all three automakers will survive. Michigan Speedway also could become a victim of the problem. How things go this season and 2010 will go a long way toward determining which ISC track loses a race to Kansas.(ESPN Insider)(4-3-2009)
- Kansas Entertainment Resubmits Hard Rock Casino Bid: Kansas Entertainment, LLC, a partnership between Kansas Speedway and principals of Baltimore-based The Cordish Company, resubmitted a bid today for a Hard Rock Casino overlooking Turn 2 at Kansas Speedway. The overall proposal calls for an approximately $700 million entertainment destination to include a first-class casino, hotel, spa, convention center and entertainment/retail district. The initial phase of the project will be a first-class Hard Rock-branded casino with an overall budget of approximately $390 million, and which will include a 100,000 sq. ft. casino floor, high-energy center bar, and dining and entertainment options. Kansas Entertainment, LLC has also committed as part of its proposal to donate an additional one percent of its gaming revenues to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan. for use in charitable and civic causes. This is in addition to the statutory taxes payable to the State and local governments. As part of the proposal, Kansas Speedway’s parent company, International Speedway Corporation (“ISC”), will also petition NASCAR for a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series date for the track if Kansas Speedway and The Cordish Company are awarded the casino management contract for Wyandotte County (Kan.). Additionally, if awarded the management contract, Kansas Speedway officials have committed to building a road course in the infield of the facility and ISC will petition Grand-Am Road Racing to award Kansas Speedway sports car races. Kansas Speedway has also committed two free track-side billboards to the state of Kansas to promote tourism if awarded the casino management contract for Wyandotte County.(Kansas Speedway PR)(3-31-2009)
- Kansas Speedway Signs Sprint Cup Series Race Sponsor: Kansas Speedway announced that locally owned supermarket Price Chopper and Kraft Foods will sponsor its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Oct. 4. The race is a part of NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup and will be named the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods. “I’m excited to announce that Price Chopper and Kraft Foods have partnered to sponsor our NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race,” said Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger. “It’s great to have a locally owned company in Price Chopper on board to support racing at Kansas Speedway. Kraft Foods has been a great partner in motorsports and I look forward to working with both companies on the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods.”
“I’m happy that we were able to partner with Kraft to sponsor Kansas Speedway’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race,” said Adam Rini, Price Chopper. “It’s not often you have the opportunity to sponsor a first class facility that hosts the top motorsports series in the country and this was the ideal chance for us to sponsor a race at Kansas Speedway.” Kansas Speedway ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 866.460.RACE or logging on www.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.(Kansas Speedway PR)(3-4-2009)
- Man convicted in Kansas Speedway shooting is sentenced: The man convicted of shooting a Kansas City, Kan., police detective at Kansas Speedway was sentenced Friday to more than 48 years in prison. Fredrick Douglas, 68, was found guilty in December of attempted capital murder and other charges. He was charged with shooting Detective Susan Brown on Oct. 1, 2006, as she guarded a Speedway vault after a Nextel Cup race. A co-defendant, Nolden Garner, is scheduled for trial next month.(Kansas City Star)(2-7-2009)
- Man found guilty of attempted capital murder in speedway case: A Wyandotte County [KS] jury found Fredrick Douglas guilty of attempted capital murder this afternoon in the shooting of a Kansas City, Kan., detective at Kansas Speedway. Douglas, 68, was accused of shooting Detective Susan Brown on Oct. 1, 2006, as she guarded a speedway vault just hours after a Nextel Cup race had concluded. The jury also convicted Douglas of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated robbery. He was acquitted on an aggravated battery charge. Douglas faces about 12 to 54 years for the attempted capital murder charge alone. Sentencing was scheduled for Feb. 6, about one month before Nolden Garner, Douglas’ alleged accomplice, goes on trial.(Kansas City Star)(12-10-2008)
- Kansas Speedway Withdraw Application for Lottery Gaming Facility: Kansas Entertainment LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between The Cordish Company and Kansas Speedway, announced today it has withdrawn its application for Lottery Gaming Facility Manager for the Northeast Kansas gaming zone, with the intent to re-apply upon the re-opening of bidding for the zone. Along with today’s announcement, Kansas Speedway will delay plans for the addition of a road course and potential second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Should Kansas Entertainment be awarded the management contract upon re-application, Kansas Speedway remains committed to pursuing these projects. When bidding re-opens, Kansas Entertainment’s new application will include a phased development plan, along with seeking realignment of a second Sprint Cup date and building a road course in Kansas Speedway’s infield.(Kansas Speedway PR)(12-5-2008)
- France dicusses Kansas/Kentucky race dates: NASCAR Chairman Brian France indicated Tuesday that it is more likely that Kansas Speedway could get its second date on the 2010 schedule than for Kentucky Speedway to have its request approved for an inaugural race there. International Speedway Corp. is planning to ask NASCAR to move one of its Sprint Cup dates to Kansas Speedway, while Speedway Motorsports Inc. is planning to seek to move a date to Kentucky Speedway. Neither ISC nor SMI has indicated which tracks they want to move a date from in their realignment requests. Speaking after an appearance at the Street & Smith’s Motorsports Marketing Forum, France said that NASCAR wouldn’t approve a request without making sure it fits the sanctioning body’s criteria. “It depends on what they want to exchange it for,” France said. “If they want to leave a smaller market not performing as well, we would look at that favorably. They all understand what that criteria is. I would expect Bruton [Smith at SMI] or ISC to ask for it in the way that would get it approved. … We’re not going to take a date that’s working fabulously at one place to move it to a second date anywhere.” ISC, a publicly traded company whose majority of voting stock is owned by the NASCAR-controlling France family, has pledged a second Cup date at Kansas to go along with the construction of a Hard Rock Hotel and casino. France said a 2010 Cup date is “possible” at Kansas, but Kentucky is another matter. Although SMI is expected to complete a purchase of the track later this month, the current owners have indicated they will continue pursuing a federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and ISC over the issue of Cup venues. France has held firm that as long as the lawsuit continues NASCAR will not consider a realignment request. An appeal on whether the case should go to trial likely won’t be decided until next March at the earliest. "[SMI] is going to run out of time as it stands today,” France said. “I hope the litigation gets completed as soon as possible. There have been extensions now, and it’s going to be very difficult to see how we would be able to award or look at realignment for the 2010 season because sanctions will be going out in the spring, and [in] the early summer will be completed. The case is liable to go well into the fall of next year, and there will have to be a change in the litigation schedule to be able to figure it out.”(SceneDaily)(12-3-2008)
- Testimony begins in Kansas Speedway robbery trial: A man who was working at Kansas Speedway the evening an off-duty police detective was shot testified this morning that he took refuge in a vault as two would-be robbers tried to break in. Brett Beemer took the stand in Wyandotte County District Court in the trial of Fredrick Douglas, 68, who is accused of shooting Kansas City, Kan., police detective Susan Brown while she was guarding the vault for Kansas Speedway on Oct. 1, 2006, about three hours after a Nextel Cup race had finished. Beemer, who at the time was director of accounting for Americrown Service Corp., said he was working that evening when he saw a large man approach the vault. As he and two other employees ran into an inner room in the vault, he saw Brown draw her gun and try to close the vault door. “I heard shots,” Beemer said. “There was a whole bunch of shots that went off.” When the shooting stopped, Beemer heard Brown say, “Officer down! Officer down!” By the time Beemer and the two employees emerged from the inner room, Brown was seriously injured. In testimony at a preliminary hearing last year, she said she was shot between four and six times. She suffered injuries to her right shoulder, right wrist and a leg. Under cross examination, Beemer, who suffered a minor injury to his leg during the incident, said he could not identify the shooter, only that he saw a “rather large” man approach the vault. Prior to the shooting, Beemer said, he saw a suspicious-looking vehicle near the vault with a large man inside and a slender man standing outside. In opening statements, the prosecution attempted to tie Douglas to the shooting, alleging that he escaped in a car that was closely chased by police from the speedway to a nearby neighborhood. But Douglas’ defense attorney said no witnesses could identify him as the shooter and alleged that Brown was largely injured by bullets from her own gun that ricocheted off a vault door.(Kansas City Star)(12-3-2008)
- New Smoking Policy at Kansas Speedway in 2010: Kansas Speedway announced that the facility will implement a new smoking policy in 2010 that will ban smoking in the grandstands and all enclosed areas of the speedway. “In an effort to continue to make Kansas Speedway the best guest experience in motorsports, we’ve made the decision to put into effect a new smoking policy that will prohibit smoking in the grandstands and enclosed spaces,” said Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger. “Our 2009 renewal process has ended and I wanted to make sure fans would be able to make renewal decisions based on this new policy, which is why it won’t be effective until 2010.” Kansas Speedway will allow smoking in 2009 and asks that fans be considerate of those around them. Kansas Speedway ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 866.460.RACE or logging on www.kansasspeedway.com.(Kansas Speedway PR)(11-11-2008)
- France endorses second race for Kansas: Brian France and Mike Helton, two of NASCAR’s most powerful decision-makers, left little doubt that Kansas Speedway will have a second Sprint Cup race as soon as 2010 and no later than 2011. “With all the development and all the things going on, I think it’s great if there’s an opportunity to have a second date, and it looks like there will be,” France, NASCAR Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, told The Star before Sunday’s Sprint Cup Camping World RV 400 race at Kansas Speedway. France then took it a step further when asked, as a member of NASCAR’s Board of Directors, how he will vote on Kansas Speedway’s petition for a second date. “That’s a yes. That’s a very definite yes,” France said. “Obviously, that has to be petitioned by speedway and ISC, and I assume they will do that at some point.”(Kansas City Star)(9-29-2008)
- Chiefs' legend Deron Cherry to participate in special Kansas pre-race: Kansas Speedway announced that Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Deron Cherry will drive a Ford Mustang pace car off a US Army Special Operations Command Chinook this Sunday as part of the pre-race activities for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman. After landing in turn four of the track, Cherry will drive out of the Chinook and down the front stretch where he'll park next to the pre-race stage.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-28-2008)
- Kansas Speedway president wants night race for second Cup event: Kansas Speedway president Jeff Boerger says that he is intent on the 1.5-mile track "becoming the Mecca of Motorsports." At least one matter is already certain: Boerger and track executives are moving forward in their plans to acquire a second Sprint Cup date at their facility by 2011, and possibly by 2010. As for when the second date might be, Boerger says that remains to be determined. "There are higher powers that will decide that than me but we'll definitely be in the discussions," he said, noting that he doesn't know which other track will lose a date to Kansas. "It could fall in the spring. It could fall in the summer. But we fully anticipate from the track perspective … that [the race] will be under the lights. Our media partner will probably demand it. I think that's another great thing." Kansas has never hosted a night race since it was added to the Cup schedule in 2001. Boerger expects that to change sooner than later, though. "We need to push hard to get lights depending on what second date falls," he said. "But I think that's on the horizon."(Scene Daily)(9-27-2008)
- Kansas Speedway donates tickets to guard: Kansas Speedway and Camping World have donated 1,000 tickets to members of the Kansas National Guard in Topeka for the upcoming races at the track. Tickets are for the Nationwide Series Kansas 300 race Sept. 27 and the Sprint Cup Camping World RV 400 on Sept. 28. Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, adjutant general for Kansas, said the tickets would be given to troops on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is the second year that speedway officials have donated tickets to the National Guard.
Bunting and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said the soldiers would be pulling for Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard sponsored car, as well as Clint Boyer, an Emporia [KS] native. Earnhardt is fourth in the chase for the Sprint Cup, while Boyer is ninth.(The Capital-Journal)(9-23-2008)
- Elijah Kelley Performing National Anthem at Kansas: Kansas Speedway announced that Elijah Kelley, who had a lead role as “Seaweed J. Stubbs” in the New Line musical “Hairspray!” opposite John Travolta and Queen Latifah, will perform the national anthem at the Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, September 28. Kelley, 22, has earned a Critics Choice Award for Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture, as well as a SAG Award Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. He has also appeared in the film “Take the Lead,” as well as “28 Days,” “Heaven’s Fall,” “Rome and Jewel,” and “Fled.” A native of Lagrange, Georgia, Kelley is currently writing and recording his own album. Visit Kansasspeedway.com or call 866.460.RACE for ticket package information.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-22-2008)
- Kansas Speedway awarded Casino; to apply for 2nd race date: A state review board picks a partnership involving Kansas Speedway to build and manage a state-owned casino in Wyandotte County. The winning applicant was Kansas Entertainment, formed by the speedway and the Cordish Co., of Baltimore. It proposed building the casino so that it overlooks a turn on the track. The Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board picked the Speedway proposal over a plan from Golden Gaming Inc., of Las Vegas, on a 4-3 vote. Also in the running was Legends Sun, a group involving the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, but it received no votes. The contractor now must undergo a background check by the state Racing and Gaming Commission.(Kansas Cirt Star)
AND: Kansas Speedway officials expect to have two Sprint Cup races no later than 2011 after it was announced Friday that the track will be the location of a new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. As part of the proposal by International Speedway Corp., which owns the track, to Wyandotte County (Kan.) leaders and the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board, ISC President Lesa France Kennedy said that ISC would petition NASCAR for two Sprint Cup dates if ISC was awarded the casino contract. The 2009 schedule is set, but the track could get a second Cup date as early as 2010 from NASCAR, which is owned by the France family, including France Kennedy. ISC did not announce which track it would pull a date from. By NASCAR's structure, the group would need to shift a date from one of its other facilities instead of being awarded an additional race. ISC’s tracks with two Cup dates are Daytona, Auto Club (Calif.), Martinsville, Phoenix, Richmond, Michigan and Talladega. Its tracks with one date are Watkins Glen, Homestead, Chicagoland, Darlington and Kansas.(SceneDaily) and more info at the Kansas Speedway website.(9-19-2008)
- Kansas Speedway Announces Addition of Road Course: Kansas Speedway officials announced that in addition to a potential second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the facility will add a road course to its infield if the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino proposal Kansas Speedway and The Cordish Company (Kansas Entertainment LLC) submitted to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission is awarded the casino management contract for Wyandotte County (Kan.). Last week, International Speedway Corporation (ISC) President Lesa
France Kennedy announced if Kansas Entertainment LLC is awarded the casino management contract for Wyandotte County, ISC would petition NASCAR to move an additional Sprint Cup Series date to Kansas Speedway from one of its other facilities. Kansas Speedway's road course would allow the speedway to host additional races and events throughout the year, and would be only the second active road course in the state of Kansas. Kansas Speedway's proposed road course interests the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), which is based in Topeka, Kan. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which would be located in Kansas Speedway's Turn 2 with strong visibility and access to both Interstate 70 and Interstate 435, will bring a distinctive and energetic destination entertainment and gaming experience to Wyandotte County and establish the area as one of the major sports and leisure destinations in the country. Kansas Speedway tickets are on sale now by calling 866.460.RACE or logging onto kansasspeedway.com. O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying Day and Sprint Fan Walk tickets are also on sale. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway.(Kansas Speedway PR)(8-30-2008)
- Camping World to sponsor Kansas race: Kansas Speedway announced the signing of Camping World to sponsor the track's Sprint Cup Series race on Sept. 28. Kansas Speedway's Sprint Cup Series race, the Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman, is the third race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.(Kansas Speedway PR)(8-20-2008)
- Kansas looking for 2nd Cup race date: Kansas Speedway and The Cordish Company's proposed 1.5 million square-foot,
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will include a 300-room luxury hotel; a state-of-the-art casino with 3,000 slot machines and 140 gaming tables;
275,000 square-feet of destination retail, dining and entertainment including a live music venue; first-class resort amenities; and extensive meeting and convention facilities. With a development cost over $700 million, with no public incentives associated with this project, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will provide the community with aneconomic benefit of $4.86 billion over 20 years.
As part of their proposal, Kansas Speedway announced International Speedway Corporation will petition NASCAR for a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series date for the track if Kansas Speedway and The Cordish Company are awarded the casino management contract for Wyandotte County. In addition, the proposal not only provides significant expansion capabilities but also includes a temporary casino to open within eight months. The temporary casino will operate during construction and will include 2,000 slot machines and 75 gaming tables. It is estimated that the temporary casino will generate in excess of $200 million in annual revenue. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which would be located in Kansas Speedway's Turn 2 with strong visibility and access to both Interstate 70 and Interstate 435, will bring a distinctive and energetic destination entertainment and gaming experience to Wyandotte County and
establish the area as one of the major sports and leisure destinations in the country. ansas Speedway tickets are on sale now for 2008-09 packages and can be purchased by calling 866.460.RACE or logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com.(Kansas Speedway PR)(8-13-2008)
- Kansas Speedway moving forward with plans for a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: Kansas Speedway and The Cordish Company (Kansas Entertainment LLC) remain committed to bringing a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to Kansas City, Kan. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which would be located in Kansas Speedway's Turn 2, will bring a distinctive and energetic entertainment and gaming experience to Wyandotte County and showcase the area to tourists from all over the world. Merchandise from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be branded with Kansas City, Kan. The initial development would cost over $700 million, and include a casino, hotel, and retail and entertainment outlets. There will not be any public incentives given to fund this project.(Kansas Speedway PR)(8-5-2008)
- Kansas Speedway Signs Sponsors for IndyCar, Nationwide and IndyPro Series races: Time Warner Cable is the new title sponsor of the IndyCar Series race on April 27, which will be called the RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300. The Kansas Lottery has renewed their sponsorship agreement with Kansas Speedway and will sponsor the Nationwide Series race on Sept. 27, which will be called the Kansas Lottery 300. After a three year absence, the IndyPro Series will return for the Hard Rock 100. The Kansas Lottery has been a Kansas Speedway sponsor since 2001 and had sponsored the IndyCar Series race since 2005. With the move to September, the Kansas Lottery will now sponsor a race each race weekend.(Kansas Speedway PR)(1-19-2008)
- Kansas Speedway involved in Casino Proposal to State of Kansas: Kansas Speedway and The Cordish Company delivered their Hard Rock Hotel and Casino proposal to the State of Kansas. The proposal calls for the destination hotel and casino to be built overlooking Turn 2 of Kansas Speedway. "We submitted our Hard Rock Hotel and Casino proposal this morning to the state," said Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger. "We believe our proposal will increase tourism to the state of Kansas and also have a large economic impact on the city, county and state. We also anticipate the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will place an even greater national demand on our tickets at Kansas Speedway and encourage local fans to purchase their tickets now to enjoy some of the best racing in the country." The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino would cost more than $670 million, and include retail and entertainment outlets.(Kansas Speedway PR)(12-29-2007)
