Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway, located in Kansas City, Kansas, is a prominent 1.5-mile tri-oval motorsports complex known for hosting major NASCAR events and IndyCar races. Opened in 2001, it has established itself as a key venue in the American auto racing landscape, blending modern track design with significant fan amenities and a large seating capacity. The Speedway attracts thousands of motorsports enthusiasts annually for high-profile NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series races.
History
The concept for Kansas Speedway was finalized in the late 1990s, with construction beginning on May 25, 1999. The 1,200+ acre site was selected at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 435 in Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas. The design and construction were executed by the architecture firm HNTB, known for designing other major speedways like Chicagoland Speedway. Turner Construction led the management of the building process, which included track paving starting in September 2000 and completion by early 2001.
The Speedway held its inaugural test sessions for stock cars and Indy Lights in April 2001, preparing for its first race weekend in June. This inaugural event featured NASCAR Winston West and ARCA Racing Series competitions. Later, in July 2001, both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the Indy Racing League debuted at Kansas Speedway, marking a historic weekend where NASCAR and IndyCar raced on the same track. The first top-tier NASCAR Cup Series race took place in September 2001, won by Jeff Gordon. Since its opening, the track has hosted two NASCAR Cup Series race weekends annually, along with other national series, including Xfinity and Truck Series races.
Most Famous Races Held
Kansas Speedway is particularly noted for hosting two major NASCAR Cup Series races each year, traditionally significant in the playoff chase. Its key events include the Hollywood Casino 400 and the AdventHealth 400, attracting the sport’s top drivers and teams. The NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series also hold prominent races on its tri-oval, contributing to a full season slate of diverse racing. The IndyCar Series previously held the Kansas Indy 300 until 2011, adding to the track’s varied motorsport history.
Track Information
The Speedway features a 1.5-mile (2.41 km) tri-oval track design with variable banking: 17 to 20 degrees in the turns, 9 to 11 degrees on the front stretch, and 5 degrees on the backstretch. This layout offers a challenging and strategic racing environment that encourages close competition and multiple racing lines. The grandstand stadium-style seating originally accommodated 72,000 fans and has since expanded to approximately 82,000, with plans to increase seating capacity ultimately to 150,000. The venue includes 72 luxury suites and extensive fan parking, capable of hosting over 35,000 vehicles. Additionally, the complex contains a 2.37-mile road course utilized for other racing events.
The track length was historically a point of measurement difference between major racing series, with NASCAR timing at 1.50 miles and IndyCar at 1.52 miles. As NASCAR now owns the Speedway, the official length is accepted as 1.5 miles. Kansas Speedway remains a modern, fan-friendly motor racing facility combining high-speed thrills with first-class amenities.