Jayski's® NASCAR Silly Season Site - OLD Kansas Speedway News

PAST KANSAS SPEEDWAY NEWS/RUMORS

Kansas Speedway Staff Brings Holiday Cheer to University of Kansas Hospital Children's Wing: Kansas Speedway staff was in the holiday spirit as they decorated the doors of the children's wing at the University of Kansas Hospital on Wednesday. About 20 staff members took part in the door decorating, letting their creative juices flow. Each door was decorated differently and not all had a holiday theme - the Kansas Speedway operations department made sure to add a racing theme to the wing. The staff also brought along goody bags with items from Kansas Speedway and the NASCAR Foundation for each patient and donated dozens of toys and books to the wing's playroom.(Kansas Speedway PR)(12-8-2007)
The story of a hero: A year ago Monday, Susan Brown lay dying in a pool of her own blood. You see, just hours after Tony Stewart limped across the finish line to take the checkered flag at Kansas Speedway, two masked men with guns stormed into the speedway's vault and demanded what was inside. Only Brown, a detective with the Kansas City, Kan., police department, didn't want to hand over the roughly $1 million that was inside. Instead, she stood strong, directing employees into another room as a shootout ensued. Bullets flew back and forth. Several hit Brown. But even as she lay bleeding on the floor, Brown did not give up the fight. She returned fire and forced the robbers to flee – empty-handed. When they did, Brown was finally able to radio for help. "10-60," she said weakly. Officer has been shot. See the full story at Yahoo.com.(10-2-2007)
NASCAR Statement on End of Kansas Race: Statement from Ramsey Poston, NASCAR Managing Director, Corporate Communications:“When the caution came out on Lap 207 the field was frozen. At the time of the caution, the #16 was in the lead and maintained a reasonable speed and was declared the race winner. There is no passing under caution. “By rule, cars under caution need to maintain a reasonable speed, which the #16 did. If it hadn’t maintained a reasonable speed or the car had come to a stop, then that car would not have won the race. In this instance the #16 maintained a reasonable speed, crossed the finish and won the race.”(NASCAR PR)(10-1-2007)
Kansas races sold out: Fans have packed the stands to capacity every year for NASCAR racing since Kansas Speedway opened in 2001. It’s all a matter of semantics. Kansas Speedway president Jeff Boerger never likes to declare a sellout. But he’s happy to announce that no tickets remain for Saturday’s NASCAR Busch and Sunday’s Nextel Cup races. “We’ll be to capacity,” Boerger said Monday. Those without tickets for Saturday and Sunday can still attend Friday’s qualifying for the Nextel Cup LifeLock 400 and practice rounds for the Busch Yellow Transportation 300 races.(Kansas City Star)(9-26-2007)
National Anthem at Kansas Speedway: Kansas Speedway announced that J Records recording artist Gavin DeGraw will sing the national anthem for the LifeLock 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sept. 30. This will mark the first time DeGraw has performed the anthem for a Nextel Cup Series race.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-26-2007)
Kansas Speedway & the Cordish Company Submit Casino Proposal: Kansas Speedway announced that it has submitted a proposal for a casino on property owned by the speedway. Partnering with Kansas Speedway on the potential project is The Cordish Company, one of the largest and most respected developers in the world with extensive expertise in gaming, entertainment & mixed-use, sports-anchored developments, retail, office and residential. The casino proposal was delivered to Unified Government of Wyandotte County officials prior to the 3 PM Central deadline to submit proposals. The initial development would cost more than $600 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)(9-26-2007)
Kansas announces post traffic pattern for Cup race: Fans attending the Yellow Transportation 300 and LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sept. 29 and 30 can expect a slightly different traffic pattern from last October. Michigan Drive will be open post race for exiting traffic; however, buses and RV's will not be allowed to exit from Michigan. Fans exiting the track onto 118th Street prior to State Avenue will be directed south on Speedway Blvd. towards I-70. Additional traffic lanes will be opened on State Ave. east of 110th St. to expedite exiting traffic. There will be one lane of traffic just prior to 118th Street and State Avenue (Hwy 24-40) and continues to K-7 and State Avenue due to construction. Delays are expected in this area both entering and exiting the track. Fans exiting onto State Avenue from Nazareth east will be directed east to I-435. Kansas Speedway season tickets are on sale now and include the LifeLock 400 Nextel Cup Series race (Sept. 30), the Yellow Transportation 300 Busch Series race (Sept. 29), the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 Craftsman Truck Series race (April 26, 2008) and the Kansas Lottery Indy 300 IndyCar Series race (April 27, 2008). Sprint Fan Walk tickets for Friday, Sept. 28 are still available. Pit Stop Pub tickets for the entire weekend are available. To purchase tickets, call 866.460.RACE or log onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans are allowed to bring one 6x6x12-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.(Kansas Speedway)(9-24-2007)
Captain James Lovell named Grand Marshal at Kansas Speedway: LifeLock CEO Todd Davis announced that Captain James Lovell, Apollo 13 Commander and American Hero, has accepted an invitation to serve as Grand Marshal for the LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway on September 30. The LifeLock 400 is the third race of the Chase for the Nextel Cup. "I truly appreciate the offer to serve as Grand Marshal for the LifeLock 400," said Captain Lovell. "This will be a tremendous opportunity for me to get closer to the exciting sport of NASCAR, as well as LifeLock, the company protecting my identity." Captain Lovell, a current LifeLock client after discovering his signature and social security number being sold on eBay, was chosen for the space program in 1962. Lovell executed various commands in the Gemini mission program. At the close of the Gemini program, Lovell became command Module Pilot and Navigator for the epic 6 day journey on Apollo 8 -- man's maiden voyage to the moon where he and fellow crewman were the first humans to leave the earth's gravitational influence and backup commander to Neil Armstrong for the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Lovell's fourth and final flight was on the perilous Apollo 13 mission in 1970. As spacecraft commander, Lovell and his crew successfully modified their lunar module into an effective lifeboat when their cryogenic oxygen system failed. Their emergency activation and operation of the lunar module systems conserved both electrical power and water in sufficient supply to assure their survival in space and their safe return to earth. In 1973, Lovell left the space program and became a very successful businessman. In 1994, Lovell and Jeff Kluger wrote Lost Moon, the story of the courageous mission of Apollo 13. In 1995, the film version of the bestseller, "Apollo 13" was released to rave reviews. Today, Lovell is president of Lovell Communications; a business devoted to disseminating information about the United States Space Program. Season tickets are on sale now, call 866.460.RACE or log on to www.kansasspeedway.com to purchase tickets. Parking is always free and fans can bring in one 6x6x12-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverage.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-19-2007)
Kansas Speedway seeks to develop a casino on speedway grounds: Kansas Speedway and the Cordish Co. will seek to jointly develop and manage a state-owned casino on the speedway grounds, track president Jeff Boerger said Monday. “You’ll see our names on a proposal next week,” Boerger said of an upcoming first deadline for casino proposals to be filed with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Boerger declined to disclose details of the plan with Cordish, which developed two Hard Rock resort casinos in south Florida owned by the Seminole tribe. Cordish also is developing the Power & Light entertainment district in downtown Kansas City. Boerger indicated the casino would likely be placed on the east side of the track complex northwest of the intersection of Interstates 70 and 435. The project would include other entertainment components linked to the track. Boerger said a half-dozen casino companies have approached the track in recent months seeking a partnership in a gambling and entertainment facility at the 1,200-acre complex. Kansas Speedway, which is owned by Florida-based International Speedway Corp., and Baltimore-based Cordish in May also announced a partnership to develop Daytona Live at the speedway corporation’s Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. That $250 million project will include a theater, a hotel, dining and entertainment options and a residential component. The speedway and Cordish become the first confirmed players in the coming competition to win rights to operate the one state-owned casino in Wyandotte County that is allowed under state law. The nearby Woodlands pari-mutuel dog and horse racing track also will be permitted to operate at least 800 state-owned slot machines. Several national casino companies are expected to also seek a state casino license in Wyandotte County. None has come forward so far.(in part from the Kansas City Star)(9-19-2007)
Kansas Speedway and World Access Partner to Provide Event Ticket Insurance: Kansas Speedway and World Access have partnered to provide race fans event ticket protector insurance starting with the LifeLock 400 and Yellow Transportation 300 events at Kansas Speedway Sept. 29 and 30. The coverage protects ticket buyers who are unable to attend an event due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical issue, traffic accident, jury duty, employment termination or any other covered reasons that prevents the insured from attending. The coverage, which is an optional purchase, will be $6.25 per ticket and is available to both current and new season ticket holders.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-15-2007)
Kansas Speedway announces LifeLock as sponsor for Cup race: Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger announced that LifeLock, the nation's leading Identity Theft Prevention Service, has agreed to sponsor the Nextel Cup Series race on Sunday, Sept. 30. The LifeLock 400 will be the third race of the Chase for the Nextel Cup. LifeLock, based in Tempe, Ariz., helps consumers to render their personal information useless to thieves, backing up its service with a million-dollar guarantee. Famous for its CEO giving out his Social Security Number in advertising and national press, the company is experiencing astounding growth. Since beginning operations in April of 2005, LifeLock (www.lifelock.com) has held minor sponsorship deals in NASCAR with Rusty Wallace Incorporated, McClure Motorsports and Phoenix International Raceway. This past weekend LifeLock served as the primary sponsor for the #49 BAM Nextel Cup car. The company also currently serves as a sponsor in the IRL Pro Series with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and with Playboy Racing in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and the Grand-Am Cup Series. Season tickets are on sale now and include the LifeLock 400 (Sept. 30), Yellow Transportation 300 (Sept. 29) the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 (April 26, 2008) and the Kansas Lottery Indy 300 (April 27, 2008) Call 866.460.RACE or log on to www.kansasspeedway.com to purchase tickets. Parking is always free and fans can bring in one 6x6x12-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverage.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-10-2007)
Hornish Selling Tickets For Kansas Speedway: Kansas Speedway has “hired” three-time IndyCar Series champion and defending Kansas Lottery Indy 300 winner Sam Hornish, Jr. to work in the Kansas Speedway ticket office. Hornish replaces NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who had to leave the position due to his racing schedule. Hornish is scheduled to work in the ticket office on April 11 from 4 – 5 p.m. Fans are encouraged to buy their 2007 RPM season tickets from Hornish either via phone or in person at the Kansas Speedway ticket office. Hornish, who is running a part-time Busch Series schedule, will also be selling Sprint Fan Walk and Pit Stop Pub tickets.(Kansas Speedway PR)(4-11-2007)
Kansas Speedway Presents Tickets to Kansas National Guard: At a Capitol ceremony on Wednesday, Kansas National Guard members and their families were presented with 2,500 tickets to opening weekend races at the Kansas Speedway by Speedway President Jeff Boerger and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. The donation was made possible by O'Reilly Auto Parts and the Kansas Lottery. Accepting the donation was Major General Tod Bunting, the Kansas Adjutant General, and several members of the Kansas National Guard. The Kansas Speedway's seventh season of racing kicks off the weekend of April 27 with the IndyCar Series Kansas Lottery 300, Craftsman Truck Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 and the ARCA Re/Max Series Kansas Lottery $150 Grand. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans may bring 6x6x12-inch soft-sided coolers with their favorite food and beverage into the grandstands.(Kansas Speedway PR)(4-6-2007)
Speedway case hearing begins in shooting of detective at Kansas Speedway: Detective Susan Brown was guarding a vault building at Kansas Speedway when she saw a masked man approach with a gun in his hand. After telling a worker to get inside, Brown pulled her handgun and tried to shut the door, she said. But before she could get the door closed, an object — later determined to be a handgun — was jammed into the space between the door and its frame, near the hinges. That’s when the gunfire started and she was critically injured, Brown testified during a preliminary hearing Tuesday for two men, Fredrick Douglas and Nolden Garner, who are accused of attempting to rob the speedway the evening of Oct. 1. During the hearing, a worker overseeing the operations of the vault building testified that at the time of the robbery attempt, workers were getting ready to move about $1 million after a weekend of racing. The robbers struck just after workers had moved eight $500 boxes of quarters into a minivan outside the vault building. At the end of testimony, Wyandotte County Judge Robert L. Serra ordered both Douglas, 66, of Kansas City, Kan., and Garner, 51, of Grandview to stand trial. They are charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated robbery. Attorneys for the men entered not-guilty pleas on their behalf. The men are not thought to have gotten away with any money. The day’s testimony outlined the evidence that linked the men to the crime, including testimony by a detective who said Garner admitted to the crime and that a third person was involved. That person provided aprons and caps that would allow Douglas and Garner into the area where the vault was located, Howard testified. A spokesman for the Wyandotte County district attorney’s office said this week that no one else has been charged in connection with the case. In her emotional testimony, Brown testified that she was shot between four and six times. She suffered injuries to her right shoulder, right wrist and a leg. She testified that at least one of the suspects continued to shoot at her when she was lying on the ground wounded.(Kansas City Star)(1-12-2007)
Kansas Speedway announces new food and beverage policy: For the first time ever, Kansas Speedway will permit race fans to carry outside food and beverages with them to the track, beginning next season with the opening race event, the ARCA RE/MAX Series Kansas Lottery $150 Grand on April 27. The weekend also features the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 on April 28 and the Kansas Lottery Indy 300 on April 29. "We've always believed that fans come first at Kansas Speedway," track President Jeff Boerger said. "Racing at Kansas Speedway offers many fan-friendly amenities that you can't get with other entertainment options in our market, such as free parking; we're always looking at ways to make a fan's experience more enjoyable each year. Following extensive research with most of our ticket holders, we have decided to allow guests to bring coolers and outside food and drinks with them when they come to the track." All coolers and bags must be soft-sided and no larger than 6x6x12 inches. Glass containers of any kind may not be brought in through grandstand gates. All bags and coolers are subject to search by security officials at the gates. Bags that do not meet size standards will not be permitted through the gates. There is a maximum of one cooler per ticketed-guest. Bring your favorite food and beverage for the fun and excitement at Kansas Speedway next season when you purchase your 2007 RPM Season Ticket which includes the aforementioned April events and the following races Sept 27 - 30. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Kansas 400, the NASCAR Busch Series Yellow Transportation 300 and the USAC Silver Crown Series KansasSpeedway.com 100. Call 866.460.RACE or visit www.kansasspeedway.com today for tickets and a complete schedule.(Kansas Speedway PR)(11-3-2006)
Officer Shot at Kansas Speedway UPDATE 2: Police said they took two people into custody after an attempted armed robbery and a female off-duty officer was shot at Kansas Speedway on Sunday night. Police said the victim was shot multiple times and is a 25 year veteran. A helicopter flew the officer to an area hospital around 8:30 p.m. Police said the off-duty officer was shot when she tried to intervene in the attempted armed robbery. Police said the Speedway often employees off-duty officers to do security.(myfoxkc.com/FOX 4)(10-2-2006)
UPDATE - good news: Doctors upgraded an off-duty police officer to fair condition after someone shot her several times after she tried to break up a robbery at the Kansas Speedway. Paramedics airlifted the 25-year veteran officer to the hospital in critical condition on Sunday night. Police said three people walked into the area where she was working and tried to rob the place. The robbery happened long after the race had ended, and Speedway workers were preparing to close down the facility. Witnesses reported hearing up to seven gunshots. One man said he heard the whole thing over the police radio. "I heard this lady screaming. We heard that she was shot several times," Dennis Lyons, witness, said. Police chased and arrested two of the robbery suspects, and will question them again on Monday. According to witnesses, there were three people involved, but police haven't found a third suspect. If you know who the third suspect could be, or if you have any information, call the TIPS hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.(myfoxkc.com/FOX 4)(10-2-2006)
UPDATE 2: The Wyandotte County district attorney filed attempted capital murder charges this afternoon against Fredrick Douglas and Nolden Garner, alleging they shot a detective during an attempted robbery of Kansas Speedway. According to the charges, the two men fired multiple gunshots at Kansas City, Kan., Police Detective Susan Brown, even while she was on the ground. The charges allege the two men intended to kill her and to rob her. Douglas and Garner also were charged with aggravated battery in the shooting of a track employee. District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman said the employee suffered minor injuries. He was hit either directly or by shrapnel. Douglas and Garner also face charges of aggravated robbery for allegedly taking Brown’s handgun, aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated robbery. Garner was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.(Kansas City Star), no more details on the detective's condition.(10-4-2006)
Wedding bells at Kansas: Kansas Speedway played host to its first race-weekend wedding Sunday morning. Terry Erwin and Crystal Collins married at the Fan Walk stage on the infield. “It’s a lifetime experience,” Erwin said. “More than we could have ever imagined would happen.” Erwin, an Indiana resident, ran sprint cars for more than a decade. “We’re both into NASCAR and drag racing,” Erwin said. “If it has an engine and runs, we like it.”(Kansas City Star)(10-1-2006)
Joyner-Kersee, Lopez to serve as co-grand marshals at Kansas: Three-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee and popular comic-actor George Lopez will serve as co-grand marshals for Sunday's Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway. Joyner-Kersee, considered to be one the greatest female athletes of all time, won three gold, one silver and two bronze medals in the heptathlon and long jump events over four consecutive Olympic Games - 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996. She was the first woman to score 7,000 points in a heptathlon, a demanding seven-event competition that measures speed, strength and stamina, and has held the world record in heptathlon since 1986. She was also a world-class athlete in 100 meter hurdles and 200 meters. Joyner-Kersee took home the gold medal in the heptathlon at the 1998 Goodwill Games in what was to be her last competition; she retired soon after. Sports Illustrated voted her the "Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century."
Lopez, star of ABC's sitcom "George Lopez," is one of the premier comedic talents in the entertainment industry. He is the co-creator, writer, producer and star of the ABC sitcom, "George Lopez." Last year, Time magazine recognized Lopez as one of the "25 Most Influential Hispanics in America." Lopez's CD "Team Leader" was released to great public acclaim and nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. In May 2004, George's autobiography "Why You Crying?" entered in the New York Times Bestsellers list. He has starred in several movies, including "The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl," which opened last year. Lopez continues to tour the country with his stand-up comedy routine.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-27-2006)
Heartland set to sing national anthem at Kansas: Heartland, a country music band from Huntsville, Ala., will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway. The band got its start touring clubs around Alabama. Their debut single, "I Loved Her First," hit the country music charts this year. Heartland band members include Craig Anderson (rhythm guitar), Keith West (bass guitar/background vocals), Jason Albert (lead vocalist), Chuck Crawford (fiddle/background vocals), Todd Anderson (drums) and Mike Myerson (lead guitar). Heartland will also perform a pre-race concert from the Banquet stage prior to the Banquet 400. The concert is scheduled to begin at 11:50am.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-27-2006)
Hale named manager of Public Relations for Kansas Speedway: Kansas Speedway has named Kelly Hale its manager of Public Relations. Hale, a native of Edwardsville, Kan., has worked for NASCAR as a coordinator of Communications for the past four years. During that time, she oversaw the advance media programs for the Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. She was also responsible for media outreach for Busch Series Champion's week. Prior to joining NASCAR, Hale was the Community Relations manager for the Kansas City Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League and was the public relations contact before her departure. Hale holds a bachelor's degree in sports science with an emphasis in sports information from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. She replaces Sammie Lukaskiewicz, who heads to Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., to be the Director of Communications for the International Speedway Corporation-owned racetrack.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-26-2006)
Kansas Truck race to move to April in 2007: on Speed Channel's NASCAR Report, Ray Dunlap reported that the Kansas Speedway Truck Series race will move to the end of April in 2007 from it current July spot.(Speed Channel's NASCAR Report)(8-31-2006)
Kahne to sell tix at Kansas: On Tuesday, May 16 #9-Kasey Kahne will join Kansas Speedway's ticketing staff for the day. He'll meet the staff, take a quick tour of Kansas Speedway's ticket offices, learn some tips on how to sell tickets and then get ready for some on-the-job training with the race fans of NASCAR. Besides answering some ticket sales calls, Kahne will personally autograph all tickets he sells that day. He's featured on this year's season ticket so his autograph will make the ticket a nice collector's piece for some lucky fans. Kahne will take calls from ticket buyers starting at 11 a.m. The best way to reach Kahne is by calling 913.328.RACE (7223) or by Kansas Speedway's toll-free number, 866.460.RACE (7223). Kansas Speedway's Banquet 400 Nextel Cup race will be held on Oct. 1.(Kansas Speedway PR)(5-8-2006)
Race is on for Kansas Lottery $200 Grand tickets: This could be the year a Kansas Lottery player wins $200,000 by correctly predicting the top three finishers, in order, of the ARCA RE/MAX Series Kansas Lottery $200 Grand at Kansas Speedway. July will mark the third time the Kansas Lottery has sponsored the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Kansas Speedway. Visit www.kslottery.com or see the back of the Kansas Lottery $200 Grand scratch ticket for more information. Kansas Speedway's ARCA RE/MAX Series Kansas Lottery $200 Grand is set for July 1. The race is paired with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 and IRL IndyCar Series event that weekend. For race tickets or more information, call Kansas Speedway at 913.328.RACE or toll free at 866.460.RACE. You may also log onto www.kansasspeedway.com. Kansas Lottery $200 Grand instant scratch ticket is on sale now.(Kansas Speedway PR)(3-8-2006)
Bank of America to sponsor four ISC tracks: Bank of America Corp. said Tuesday that it has reached a five-year agreement with International Speedway Corp. to sponsor four race tracks, including California Speedway near Los Angeles. Financial terms of the latest sponsorship deal, which also includes tracks in Kansas City, Mo.; Avondale, Ariz.; and Watkins Glen, N.Y., were not disclosed. In return for its financial support, Bank of America wins the right to place advertisements and ATMs at each of the four tracks as well as entertainment space and other promotional rights. Last summer, Bank of America struck a deal with ISC's chief rival, Speedway Motorsports Inc., to sponsor Lowe's Motor Speedway in nearby Concord, N.C., and tracks at Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas and San Francisco. Bank of America also will sponsor the Nextel Cup race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in October, the Bank of America 500.(ESPN.com/AP)(2-22-2006)
Yellow Transportation and Sprint to sponsor Kansas Busch race on behalf of United Way: In an unprecedented event, two leading Kansas City area corporations - Yellow Transportation and Sprint - today announced that they would sponsor this year's NASCAR Busch Series race at Kansas Speedway on behalf of the Greater Kansas City United Ways. The race, to be run on Oct. 8 and televised nationally on NBC, will be known as "United Way 300 presented by Yellow Transportation and Sprint." Representatives of the two corporations said the goal of their partnership would be to raise the visibility of and level of contributions to this fall's community-wide fundraising campaign for the Kansas City area's largest charity. Under terms of the agreement, the Greater Kansas City United Ways - including five United Ways in Kansas and Missouri - will receive numerous assets that will help United Way remind the community of the important role it plays in the everyday lives of thousands of people in the community. The sponsorship package includes race tickets, the right to use the mark/logo in promotional materials and other tools that will assist the United Way in this year's campaign. In addition to the sponsorship package, Kansas Speedway and the Midwest Ford Dealers are also donating a Ford F150 truck to United Way for use in an upcoming fundraising promotion and the Speedway is contributing an additional block of tickets for the United Ways to use during qualifying day. Yellow Transportation will further enhance the branding effort by converting its #1 Yellow Transportation car [Johnny Sauter] into a special United Way-themed car for the October race. For ticket information, call Kansas Speedway at 913.328.RACE or toll free at 866.460.RACE, visit www.kansasspeedway.com or come by 400 Speedway Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.(Kansas Speedway)(5-24-2005)
Kansas Speedway featured in 'LIFE' magazine: Kansas Speedway is featured in the most recent issue of LIFE magazine, which arrives in more than 70 leading newspaper nationwide Friday. All the shots for "While Daddy's Driving," a photo essay by renowned photographer Harry Benson, depict special moments between some of NASCAR's drivers and their families. All of the photographs were taken prior to October's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Banquet 400. LIFE is one of the world's most well-known magazines. The weekly magazine was first printed in 1936. It ceased publication in 1972, only to return as a monthly magazine from 1978-2000. Now, LIFE is distributed every week in more than 70 of the nation's leading newspapers. It has a combined circulation of about 12 million readers, but has a readership of 25 million. The LIFE centerpiece at Kansas Speedway will be published locally in the Kansas City Star and the Olathe News. Regionally, look for LIFE in the Wichita Eagle and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. For a complete listing of newspapers in your area which feature LIFE, please log onto www.life.com. To purchase your RPM Ticket to Kansas Speedway, please click, call or come by Kansas Speedway at www.kansasspeedway.com; 866.460.RACE; or 400 Speedway Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.(Kansas Speedway)(4-15-2005)
2nd Cup Race at Kansas? No? Could a hall of fame lead to another NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway? NASCAR announced plans earlier this week to build an official hall of fame. Officials said that building the museum would "likely" lead to a NASCAR race that would take place "in conjunction" with the hall's annual induction ceremony. Kansas City was selected as one of four sites to apply to be the host city. The others were Daytona Beach, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Atlanta. The Kansas Speedway hosted a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race on October 10 of last year.(missourinet.com)
NO? Could the construction of a NASCAR hall of fame in Wyandotte County mean that a second Nextel Cup series race is headed to Kansas Speedway in the future? Speedway officials hope so, but NASCAR officials caution Midwestern auto racing fans not to get their hopes up. NASCAR announced plans to build an official hall of fame earlier this week. Wording in the application requests sent to Kansas officials seems to indicate that a NASCAR race of some kind might come along with permission to build the hall and will be held on the weekends of the new hall's annual induction ceremonies. The requests state that it is “likely” that a NASCAR-sanctioned race will take place “in conjunction” with the ceremony.(Kansas City Star)(1-8-2005)
Construction on 1,500 seats begins at Kansas Speedway: Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger announced that construction has begun to add 1,500 seats to Kansas Speedway for 2005. Three new sections of permanent grandstand seats are being added to the on grade front stretch near Turn 1. Because of Kansas Speedway's bowl-shaped design, the new seats will continue to provide some of the best views of the race track, Pit Road and all the exciting track action from start to finish. With the addition of the seats, total capacity of Kansas Speedway's grandstand will be nearly 82,000. The new seats are bench-style seats with backs in varying shades of green depicting Kansas' waving fields of wheat. Permanent concession stands and restroom facilities are also being added during this construction phase. Ticket sales for next season have also begun. Fans interested in becoming RPM Ticket holders should call Kansas Speedway at 913.328.RACE or toll free at 866.460.RACE for tickets to 2005. The track sold out each of the last four years so Boerger says this is the best time to get seats to Kansas Speedway. The 2005 RPM Ticket includes admission to five races, including the fourth race in NASCAR's Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, the Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods on Oct. 9.(Kansas Speedway PR)(12-1-2004)
Some Residents Still Bitter: Residents who were forced to move to make way for Kansas Speedway are still bitter about being kicked out of their long-time homes. Five years ago, 146 homes and four businesses just north of Interstate 70 in Wyandotte County were forced to move. Track supporters said the speedway would bring in millions of dollars each year to the financially depressed area. The track has done all it was expected to do. But that doesn't erase the memories of the people who feel they were treated unfairly. This weekend's NASCAR races have brought tens of thousands of people -- and their money -- to the track. Officials say that alone justifies the decisions made five years ago.(wibw.com)(10-10-2004)
Kansas Sold Out: Though tickets to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series races at Kansas Speedway are sold out, Friday qualifying tickets are available for as little as $10. To purchase O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying Day tickets, please call Kansas Speedway toll free at 866.460 RACE or log onto www.kansasspeedway.com.(PR)(10-5-2004)
Kansas to add 1600 seats: Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger announced today that 1,600 seats will be added to the facility for 2005. The new permanent grandstand seats will be added on grade along the front stretch near Turn 1. Because of Kansas Speedway's unique, bowl-shaped design, the new seat locations will continue to provide some of the best views of the race track, Pit Road and all the exciting track action from start to finish. Construction on the seats will begin shortly after the Oct. 10 Banquet 400. With the addition of the seats, the total capacity of Kansas Speedway's grandstand will be nearly 82,000. The new seats are bench-style seats with backs in varying shades of green, depicting Kansas' waving fields of wheat. Ticket renewals for 2005 will begin Oct. 18, the week after the race. Fans interested in becoming an RPM Ticket holder should call Kansas Speedway at 913.328.RACE or toll free at 866.460.RACE to be placed on the wait list.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-23-2004)
Kansas puts in formal request for more seats: Kansas Speedway president Jeff Boerger said Tuesday that he has made a formal request to expand seating at the Speedway. He said he requested adding 3,000 additional seats for the 2005 season. The request was directed to International Speedway Corporation, the company that owns the Kansas track. Boerger expects action will be taken on the request at the company's September board meeting.(Kansas City Star)(8-25-2004)
Kansas to Add Seats? Kansas Speedway president Jeff Boerger said he is getting ready to make a request to the speedway's parent company that more seats be added at Kansas. His request could be from 1,500 to 3,000 more seats. If granted, that would bring seating capacity at the four-year-old speedway in Wyandotte County [Kansas] to up to about 83,000. Boerger and his staff are currently conducting a study of precisely how many more seats to request. Once that is complete, the plan will be sent to North American Testing, which is a subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation — the company that owns Kansas Speedway — which evaluates capital improvement projects. North American Testing will evaluate the proposal and then make a recommendation to International Speedway Corporation's upper management team. If that group approves, the proposal will go to ISC's board of directors, which gives the final go-ahead. The final word could come down as soon as December. Construction would begin almost immediately after the project is approved. New seats, if added, will be connected to the front-stretch grandstands near turn one. The first phase of grandstand seating at Kansas Speedway called for 78,000 seats to be constructed. Subsequent phases of construction were to raise seating to a maximum of 150,000 seats, with a separate grandstand on the backstretch portion of the track. Kansas Speedway continues to have a season ticket waiting list.(Kansas City Star)(8-12-2004)
NASCAR denies Speedway rumor: Yes, Jeff Boerger said, he's heard the latest rumors and read the latest reports concerning the revamping of the Nextel Cup schedule for next year. Especially the rumors and reports that mention Kansas Speedway as a candidate to land a second Nextel Cup race as part of that revamping. But no, Boerger said, he doesn't put much stock in them. “It's all just pure speculation,” said Boerger, Speedway president. In the intervening months, there have been numerous reports in the media and on Internet sites about what other races would be moved and to which major markets those races would be awarded. Kansas Speedway has been mentioned as the possible recipient of a second Nextel Cup race in several of the reports. It was most recently mentioned this week by the Dallas Morning News. The stories' sources for the information were not identified. But on Friday, NASCAR chairman and chief executive officer Brian France said no decision on a second date for Kansas has been made. “They (Kansas Speedway) certainly would be in the running for another date,” France said. “Kansas City is a good speedway in a great market, but I can't tell you there will be another date there.” Phoenix International Raceway is also being considered for a second Cup date, and several reports have that facility moving ahead of Kansas in the derby to land another event.(Kansas City Star)(4-24-2004)
Martinsville to lose a date? Kansas to get it? International Speedway Corp. is considering adding a second tour date at Kansas City next spring, possibly in May, and that could come at the expense of a Martinsville race.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-22-2004)
Kansas Looking to Expand; Lights?: Kansas Speedway president Jeff Boerger said he will ask the board of directors for International Speedway Corporation, the track's parent company, for permission to add 3,000-5,000 more seats for the 2005 racing season. That request will be made at the December board meeting. Boerger said, if constructed, the new seats will be low-level seats, built into the berm near turn one. He also said that all recreational-vehicle spots for 2004 have been sold out. No decision has been made on erecting lights at the speedway. Boerger said he would still like to do that, and the subject will again be presented to the ISC board. They would be needed if the trucks race the same weekend as Cup and Busch because that race probably would be held on a Friday night.(Kansas City Star)(3-17-2004)
Kansas to get SAFER: Kansas Speedway officials announced today that SAFER barriers will be installed at the track in the coming months. Steel and Foam Energy Reduction barriers are scheduled to be in place around the 1.5-mile trioval in time for the track's Banquet 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race Oct. 10. "Soft wall technology is vital to the safety of the drivers who race at Kansas Speedway, and we are proud to be one of the growing number of ISC tracks that recognizes this," speedway President Jeff Boerger said. "I applaud NASCAR for encouraging racetracks to install the system." Scientists at the University of Nebraska's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility developed the SAFER barrier, which absorbs some of the energy in a crash and lessens the impact on a driver. The SAFER barrier at Kansas Speedway will be made up of steel tubes and pads of hard foam and affixed to the track's retainer wall between Turns 1 and 2, and Turns 3 and 4. The SAFER wall at Kansas Speedway will be 40 inches high, and extend through the inside of the turns about 30 inches from the wall. From start to finish, it will take engineers about three weeks to install the barriers.(Kansas Speedway PR)(3-16-2004)
Kansas Sold Out: For an unprecedented fourth time in as many years, Kansas Speedway® officials announced tickets for the five races that make up the track’s 2004 RPM Ticket season are sold out. Tickets for 2004 sold out even faster than each of the past previous years because of a high renewal rate among season ticket holders and an extensive waiting list that had been compiled since last year’s sellout. Speedway President Jeff Boerger encouraged race fans interested in 2005 events at Kansas Speedway to call and be placed on a waiting list. A waiting list for tickets is being compiled for 2005. Anyone interested in purchasing RPM tickets for future seasons at Kansas Speedway should call the track’s ticket office at 913.328.RACE to be added to the wait list. Future expansion and addition of seats at Kansas Speedway is based on the waiting list. Though race tickets are sold out, companies interested in hosting a hospitality event at Kansas Speedway during the race weekends should call a speedway Marketing and Sales Department representative for details about corporate entertaining in the speedway’s Hospitality Village. For the first time since the track opened, a limited number of hospitality chalets are available.(Kansas Speedway PR)(1-26-2004)
Woman indicted in Kansas Ticket scam: A grand jury has indicted a southeast Missouri woman with selling fake NASCAR tickets on the Internet. Olivia Doty, 28, of Marshfield, faces eight counts of unlawful merchandising practices. According to the indictment, Doty used the Internet auction site eBay to advertise tickets to the NASCAR Winston Cup Banquet 400 and the Busch Series Mr. Goodcents 300 races held in October at Kansas Speedway. The indictment said fans bought eight sets of tickets for a total of $7,143.93, but none of the purchasers received the tickets and some of the seats Doty sold tickets for do not exist.(thekansascitychannel.com/AP)(1-1-2004)
Lee Ann Womack to serve as grand marshal for Banquet 400: Lee Ann Womack, Grammy winner and Country Music Awards female vocalist of the year, will serve as grand marshal of Sunday s Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods at Kansas Speedway. Womack will also sing God Bless America during the NASCAR Winston Cup Series pre-race ceremonies. Singer of the critically acclaimed I Hope You Dance, Womack has garnered countless top-10 hits and has sung at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the Orange Bowl, on The Oprah Winfrey Show, at the White House and many other venues. A consumer winner, not yet chosen by Banquet Foods, will serve as honorary starter for the race.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-30-2003)
Coors Light Twins to sing national anthem for Banquet 400: Diane and Elaine Klimaszewski, better known as the Coors Light Twins, will sing the national anthem prior to the start of Kansas Speedway s Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods on Oct. 5. The twins will also be featured in a special paint scheme on Sterling Marlin s No. 40 Coors Light Dodge during the race. The 26-year-old twins, originally from the Boston area, are credited with starring in the best-scoring commercial spots in Coors history, the company s marketing chief has said. The duo will also hold a fan forum press event in Fan Walk at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 3, right before the start of the race. Scary Movie 3 will be released this fall. In addition, Diane and Elaine have appeared this year in NBC s reality show The Restaurant , FX s season finale of Lucky and The Drew Carey Show.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-30-2003)
Kasnas Goes High Speed: The fastest thing at Kansas Speedway may not be the cars. Flash Network has teamed up with Kansas Speedway to bring suite guests, teams, campground users and the media high-speed Internet access while at the track. Using a combination of wired and wireless solutions, high-speed Internet will be available at Hot Spots throughout the 1,200 acres of “The Track That Will Blow You Away!” Most new laptops come equipped with these cards, or they are readily available at computer stores.
Antennas have been strategically placed around the speedway that will allow signals from the Internet cards plugged into laptop computers to be picked up and connected to the Internet without use of a phone line. The infield Media Center and its photo rooms and Press Box are in the middle of a wireless “hot spot.”
“The July 4th race weekend went extremely well and everybody was happy with the speed of their connection” Dave Alexander, vice president at Flash Network, said. “Now we’ve just completed adding more powerful wireless transmission gear in even more areas of the Kansas Speedway property. We intend to provide service wherever it’s needed.”
In fact, Kansas Speedway may be one of the world’s single biggest Hot Spots with coverage in the 22-acre infield, 16-acre RV terrace, 18-acre Coleman RV Campground, plus coverage in all 60 luxury suites, the press box and media center.
"For press, teams and our guests to be able to surf the Web without being tethered to a phone line is incredible," speedway President Jeff Boerger said. "Race fans in the suites, infield and campgrounds will be able to keep up with real-time scoring or watch the progress of their favorite driver online during the race. It’s just one more way to enjoy the race at the country’s premier racetrack.” How fast is the new high speed at Kansas Speedway? Current cable modem technology connects to the Internet at up to 1.5 Mbps. With Flash Network, users at Kansas Speedway will be able to connect at up to 11 Mbps. Flash Network’s use of WiFi technology means anyone with a laptop computer, handheld PDA or other WiFi enabled device can access the worldwide web without being connected to a phone line or wired computer network. And the connection is much faster than dial-up.
Flash Network will have technical experts at the track during Kansas Speedways events to troubleshoot and set up new wireless users. But fans are encouraged to get more information and to sign up in advance at www.flashnetwork.net/ksspeedway. The cost for race guests to use the service for the weekend is $29.95. (Press in the Media Center and Press Box will be able to use the service free of charge. Laptop computers may require a wireless fidelity “WiFi” card. You may purchase one from Flash Network or from any electronics chain. This card will then be good ANYWHERE wireless technology is available.)
For more information, race guests should visit a special Web site set up by Flash Network – www.flashnetwork.net/ksspeedway. Press may call Kansas Speedway Public Relations at (913) 328-3300.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-29-2003)
Kansas Title Sponsor: ConAgra Foods has signed an agreement to make its Banquet brand the title sponsor of its Oct. 5 Cup race at Kansas Speedway. The race will known as the Banquet 400. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. ConAgra Foods plans to market its involvement with grocery store promotions and put the Banquet 400 logo on about 30 million ConAgra Foods products. The Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods is part of Kansas Speedway’s sold-out 2003 RPM Ticket, which includes admission for five events – the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 on July 5; the Indy Racing League race and Aventis Racing for Kids 100 Infiniti Pro Series race on July 6; the NASCAR Busch Series Mr. Goodcents 300 on Oct. 4; and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods on Oct. 5.(Kansas Speedway PR)(7-2-2003)
Kansas Speedway goes wireless, high-speed: Flash Network has teamed up with Kansas Speedway to bring suite guests, teams, campground users and media high-speed Internet access while at the track. Using a combination of wired and wireless solutions, high-speed Internet will be available at Hot Spots throughout the 1,200 acres of “The Track That Will Blow You Away!” Most new laptops come equipped with these cards, or they are readily available at computer stores and at the track. Antennas have been strategically placed around the speedway that will allow signals from the Internet cards plugged into laptop computers to be picked up and connected to the Internet without use of a phone line. The infield Media Center and its photo rooms and Press Box are in the middle of a wireless “hot spot.” The track’s luxury suites, garages, driver/owner RV lots and track campgrounds will also have service by the upcoming Indy Racing League IndyCar Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event, July 4-6. The service will also be in place for the track’s NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series weekend, Oct. 3-5. How fast is the new high speed at Kansas Speedway? Current cable modem technology connects to the Internet at up to 1.5 Mbps. With Flash Network, users at Kansas Speedway will be able to connect at up to 11 Mbps. Imagine e-mailing photos of your trip to Kansas Speedway, checking e-mail or logging on to www.nascar.com and www.indyracing.com for driver stats – [or Jayski.com] all from atop a motor home or from a car at lightning speeds. Flash Network will have technical experts at the track during Kansas Speedways events to troubleshoot and set up new wireless users. But fans are encouraged to get more information and to signup in advance at www.flashnetwork.net/ksspeedway. The cost to use the service for the weekend is $29.95; or $39.95 for a season pass good for all weekends at the speedway. (Press in the Media Center and Press Box will be able to use the service free of charge. Laptop computers may require a wireless fidelity “WiFi” card. You may purchase one from Flash Network or from any electronics chain. Data ports will also be wired so please bring a network power cord in addition to your regular phone cord.) For more information, race guests should visit a special Web site set up by Flash Network – www.flashnetwork.net/ksspeedway.(Kansas Speedway PR)(6-27-2003)
Kansas Gets Sponsor: Kansas Speedway’s Oct. 5 Winston Cup race will be known as the Banquet 400 after the track struck a four-year, "multimillion-dollar" sponsorship deal with ConAgra, this week’s Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal reports. Reporter Terry Lefton says ConAgra, which replaces Protection One security services as the race’s sponsor, will also spend at least $2 million in television advertising for its Banquet frozen-food products to ensure that NBC mentions the name during race broadcasts.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(5-19-2003)
Kansas takes Darlington race in 2005? In 2005, the Cup series is expected to go to Kansas Speedway a second time, replacing the Darlington spring race on the schedule. NASCAR officials are not expected to release next season's schedule until late summer, so more changes could be made. NASCAR typically makes the schedule only one year in advance.(Roanoke Times)(5-18-2003)
Kentucky and California add races in 2004? The 2004 Winston Cup tour schedule continues taking shape behind closed doors, and the most recent word is that NASCAR now may again be moving toward dropping a date from Rockingham and Darlington next season, as France had hinted at in January when he revealed plans for a schedule shakeup, to accommodate Fox and NBC. One of those two race dates is expected to go to Fontana, Calif., for a second tour race, probably Labor Day weekend. The other date, highly placed sources say, could go to Kentucky Speedway, even though the Kentucky track isn't owned by International Speedway Corp. While France has made several references to the Kentucky track this spring, a 2004 Cup date there would be a surprise, because there has been considerable speculation that ISC's Kansas City track would be getting a second tour date in 2004.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-4-2003)
Kansas Pushing for a 2nd Date: Kansas Speedway officials are continuing their efforts to persuade NASCAR into granting the 3-year-old track a second race on the Winston Cup schedule. Speedway President Jeff Boerger said during a luncheon Tuesday that "chances are fairly good" the 1 1/2-mile track would land a second Winston Cup race. Currently, NASCAR's premier series is scheduled to stop in Kansas the weekend of Oct. 5. The effort is dubbed "Project Blitz," Boerger said, and will be presented to NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation officials in late April or early May.(CNNSI/AP)(4-16-2003)
Kansas in June 2004? If Kansas Speedway, as expected, gets a second Winston Cup date, it likely will be the first weekend in June.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-16-2003)
Kansas to get 2nd race? Kentucky to get Cup race if owner sells? Texas 2nd race? ...insiders say that Kansas City is almost assured a second Cup date and that Kentucky Speedway will also be added to the tour if track owner Jerry Carroll is willing to sell majority interest to the International Speedway Corp [ISC]. One of those dates will likely come from Rockingham, the other from Darlington. In fact, speculation here is so hot about Kentucky getting a Cup date that Carroll and France [ISC] might already have come to some tentative agreement, though that's not clear. Other NASCAR sources say it's increasingly likely that the sanctioning body will indeed add a second Winston Cup date at Texas Motor Speedway, in order to keep some of NASCAR's business secrets from being brought out in the Texas courtroom that is hearing a lawsuit over the second date issue.(Winston Salem Journal)(2-22-2003)
Kansas pushing for 2nd date and will add more seats: Kansas Speedway joined by government and civic groups on both sides of the state line, is pushing hard for a second Cup date when NASCAR reshuffles its schedule for 2004. But if a second date doesn't materialize, track president Jeff Boerger said, the 2-year-old speedway will expand again after this season. Kansas Speedway added 1,500 seats in the offseason after its second straight sellout year, bringing its capacity to 78,000, and has already sold out its 2003 season-ticket package. "We could go, if the market would let us, to 150,000. We have the infrastructure in place for that," Boerger said Monday. Last week, he and other officials presented the track's case to its parent company, Daytona, Fla.-based International Speedway Corp. ISC is owned by the family of NASCAR owner Bill France. NASCAR's realignment could include moving races between tracks but likely won't involve additional dates. That means one of the circuit's older tracks - perhaps Darlington Raceway or North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, both of which now have two races a year - could lose their Cup dates. But Kansas City isn't the only ISC track looking for a second date, and SMI's Texas Motor Speedway has long argued that NASCAR has never given a second date as promised when the $250 million track opened in 1997. "Within ISC, I would say our competition is probably going to be between Phoenix, California and Chicago," Boerger said. "And you know, Darlington is not just going to give us a second date. They're going to give us a challenge."(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(2-19-2003)
Kansas City Star: Two races at Kansas Speedway not exactly a sure thing by Jim Pedley (2-1-2003)
Toto...Kansas is Sold Out: For a third time in as many years, Kansas Speedway officials announced today that tickets for the five races that make up the track’s RPM Ticket season are sold out. All 80,187 season tickets for “The Track That Will Blow You Away!” have been purchased by motorsports-hungry race fans from around the country. An RPM Ticket this year includes admission to five races: the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 on July 5; the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series event and Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series Aventis Racing for Kids 100 on July 6; NASCAR Busch Series Mr. Goodcents 300 on Oct. 4 and NASCAR Winston Cup Series event on Oct. 5. Tickets sold out quickly because of a high renewal rate and an extensive waiting list that had been compiled after last year’s sellout. Speedway President Jeff Boerger encouraged race fans interested in RPM events at Kansas Speedway should call and be placed on a waiting list for 2004.(Kansas Speedway Site)(1-28-2003)
BGN Sponsor re-ups at Kansas: Kansas Speedway and Mr. Goodcents officials announced that the DeSoto, Kansas-based sub [Mr. Goodcents] and pasta franchise will continue to sponsor the BGN race at the track through the 2006 season. The next Mr. Goodcents 300 is Oct. 4. The Mr. Goodcents 300 is part of the track’s 2003 RPM Ticket, which includes admission for five events at Kansas Speedway – the CTS on July 5; the IRL and its Infiniti Pro Series on July 6; the BGN on Oct. 4; and the CUP on Oct. 5.(Kansas Speedway PR)(11-17-2002)
More Seats at Richmond and Kansas: International Speedway Corp. has begun work on adding 3,100 seats and six luxury suites to Richmond International Raceway. The project, scheduled for completion next spring, will boost total seating capacity at the Richmond track to about 105,000. Kansas Speedway, also owned by Speedway Corp., will get 1,500 more seat as part of the company's annual capital expenditures. Speedway Corp. spokesman David Talley said no expansion projects have been slated this year for Daytona International Speedway, which has a seating capacity of 165,000.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(10-16-2002)
Joe Montana and Reggie Jackson Grand Marshal's at Kansas: Football legend Joe Montana will be the grand marshal for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Protection One 400 on Sunday. And Mr. October himself, baseball great Reggie Jackson will be the grand marshal for the NASCAR Busch Series Mr. Goodcents 300 on Saturday. Saturday s race is not Jackson s only involvement with motorsports. Earlier this year he formed having formed Herzog Jackson Motorsports and became a co-owner of the #92 Excedrin QuickTabs Chevrolet with co-owners Bill, Stan and Randy Herzog in the BGN.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-24-2002)
National Anthem at Kansas: Jessica Andrews will sing the national anthem for the Protection One 400 at Kansas Speedway. Andrews was named Top New Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2000 following the release of her No. 1 album “Who I Am.” Andrews, 18, has toured with Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Trisha Yearwood, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and “Live! With Regis and Kelly.” The Huntingdon, Tenn., native, is in the studio working on her third album. Her second album, "Who I Am," went gold three weeks after its release. The.title song from that album became her first No. 1 country hit. Patti DiPardo-Livergood will sing the national anthem for Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series Mr. Goodcents 300. The Kansas City native and Kansas City Chiefs musical director has been in the entertainment business since her childhood days, having accompanied her father, Tony "Mr. Music" DiPardo. She plays numerous musical instruments including percussion, horns and keyboards. While not entertaining and wowing the crowds with her music, she can be found creating video pieces one of which was an award-winning piece for the rededication of the Liberty Memorial Monument in Kansas City, Mo., this past May.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-24-2002)
Lights at Kansas for 2003? For the second straight year, more than 75,000 fans endured 90-degree-plus temperatures and filled Kansas Speedway for both Saturday's CTS and Sunday's IRL races. And in September, about 100,000 fans, including those who watch from motor-home parking on the infield and motor-home terrace, will attend the Sept. 28-29 BGN and Winston Cup races. So speedway president Jeff Boerger plans to petition the board of directors of International Speedway Corp., parent company of the speedway, and seek approval to expand the year-old facility by 5,000 to 8,000 seats and to install lights for night racing. The board will meet in September at ISC headquarters in Daytona Beach, FL. The speedway was built with the eventual plan to double in size by completing grandstands in sections until they surround the 1.5-mile tri-oval. The infrastructure for electricity and water lines were installed when the $260 million facility was built, making expansion easier and more economical. The light poles are already in place with plates in which lights can be affixed. The initial expansion would add seats to the lower grandstands in turn one, the 3,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets would get the first opportunity for the new seats. By adding lights, which would cost in excess of $2 million, Kansas Speedway could not only attract a second Winston Cup or IRL date, it could bid for NASCAR's all-star race, The Winston, which NASCAR is considering rotating much like other sports rotate their all-star games. If Kansas Speedway had lights, Boerger said either or both the July Craftsman Trucks or IRL races could be held at night, depending on the desire of NASCAR and the Indy Racing League.(Kansas City Star)(7-9-2002)
Wait and See for softwalls at Kansas: Don't expect to see "soft walls" in place for racing anytime soon at Kansas Speedway. Jeff Boerger, president of Kansas Speedway, said he will wait and see how the walls perform at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before making any decisions on use at his track.(Kansas City Star)(5-3-2002)
Kansas Expansion/Lights? Jeff Boerger, Kansas Speedway's president, said the track may expand its seating as early as this year. "The reaction we've had has just been unbelievable," he said. Boerger made the announcement earlier this week, when the track held its kickoff luncheon. The event included NASCAR Winston Cup driver Kyle Petty, ARCA/REMAX driver Jason Jarrett, former Indy 500 champion Johnny Rutherford, World of Outlaws sprint-car racer Danny Lasoski and Fox Sports racing analyst Larry McReynolds. Boerger said the track will review the possibility of expansion in July, and it may add as many as 10,000 seats to the existing 75,000-seat grandstands. Boerger said track officials also are exploring the possibility of adding lights to the facility. "We want to continue being as fan-friendly as possible," Boerger said. "And because of the heat we had last July, we would like to add lights to the facility."(Wichita Eagle)(4-24-2002)
Changes at Kansas: International Speedway Corporation announced Tuesday that Jeff Boerger has been chosen president of Kansas Speedway. He moves up from the position of vice president and general manager of the Wyandotte County auto-racing facility. Boerger replaces Grant Lynch, who oversaw construction of the facility. Lynch will remain a regional vice president for ISC. Boerger will continue to report to Lynch.(Kansas City Star)(3-22-2002)
Kansas City Sold Out: Speedway officials announced Wednesday that for the second straight year, all 78,000 tickets for the five races making up the track's 2002 RPM season plan have been purchased.
A season ticket includes admission to:
• The NASCAR Craftsman Truck O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 on July 6.
• The Indy Racing League Ameristar Casino Indy 200 and Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series Kansas 100 on July 7.
• The NASCAR Busch Mr. Goodcents 300 on Sept. 28.
• The NASCAR Winston Cup Protection One 400 on Sept. 29.
Tickets sold out quickly because of about a 90-percent renewal rate by season-ticket holders from the inaugural 2001 season. The rest of the tickets went to those on a waiting list. A new waiting list will be compiled for the 2003 season when Kansas Speedway may begin a facility expansion of between 5,000 and 10,000 seats. Kansas Speedway will open its season June 1 with two events -- the ARCA RE/MAX BPU 200 and NASCAR Winston West kansasspeedway.com 150 -- that are not part of the RPM season-ticket package. Tickets for the May 31 qualifying will cost $10, and tickets for the June 1 doubleheader will run $20, $25 and $30. They will go on sale in the coming weeks, speedway officials said. Last year, about 40,000 fans attended the ARCA and Winston West races, which officially opened the speedway. Those interested in being added to the waiting list for RPM tickets for future seasons can call Kansas Speedway's ticket office at (913) 328-RACE.(Kansas City Star)(2-14-2002)
Kansas Gets a Sponsor: Protection One will sponsor the Winston Cup race at Kansas Speedway for 2001 and 2002. The race, to be run this year on Sept 30th, will be called the Protection One 400.(Kansas Speedway PR)(8-27-2001)
Kansas BGN Sponsor: A title sponsor has been signed for the BGN race at Kansas Speedway, and a sponsor for the Winston Cup race could be signed soon. The sponsor for the Busch race, which will be run Sept. 29, will be Mr. Goodcents Subs and Pasta. The sandwich company, which is based in Lenexa(KS), has agreed to sponsor the 300-mile race for the next three years and has an option to be title sponsor for the next 10 years. The race will be called the Mr. Goodcents 300. Grant Lynch, president of the speedway, said he expects to sign a title sponsor for the Winston Cup race, which will be run the day after the Busch race, in the coming weeks. He said corporate candidates to become sponsor of the 400-mile race have been reduced to one, and they're close to a deal. The company will build an advertising and marketing campaign around the race. Terms of the deal were not announced(Kansas City Star). The Cup Race Title Sponsor is rumored to be Sprint(see my Kansas Speedway Track News page)(8-11-2001)
Kansas 2002 Date: Next year's racing schedule at the Kansas Speedway will look very much like this year's. The track should look the same, too. The speedway announced that it will play host for NASCAR Winston Cup/Busch Grand National races on the last weekend in September in 2002, the same weekend as this year's inaugural race. The Busch race will be on Saturday, Sept. 28, and the Winston Cup race will be on Sunday, Sept. 29. The track will also have a NASCAR Trucks/Indy Racing League weekend July 6 and 7 next year. The first NASCAR Trucks/IRL races were held July 7 and 8. The IRL date was announced earlier this month. This year, the racing season opened at the speedway with an ARCA/Winston West weekend in early June. Kansas Speedway vice president and general manager Jeff Boerger said that negotiations are currently being held with ARCA to bring that series back. Talks have not begun with Winston West to bring that series back to Kansas, but, Boerger said, a return engagement is still a possibility. Boerger said some thought is being given to installing lights at the speedway so that night racing could be held there next season. The topic of lights heated up when the temperatures did so -- rising well over 90 degrees -- on the weekend of this year's IRL/NASCAR Trucks event. Boerger would not rule out additional racing series staging events at the speedway. But he said additions to the 2002 schedule seemed unlikely. The seating situation will remain the same next year. Boerger said there will be no new seats added to the 75,000-seat facility even though season tickets -- which allowed admittance to the two major weekends of racing -- sold out quickly this year. There has been talk lately that because of fan interest and a high demand for tickets, a second Winston Cup date might be handed over to Kansas Speedway. But Boerger discounted the idea of that happening any time soon. The complete schedule for the 2002 Winston Cup season will be announced soon, with only subtle changes from the 2001 schedule.(Kansas City Star)(7-21-2001)
Kansas CTS Sponsor: O'Reilly Auto Parts will sponsor Kansas Speedway's 250-mile NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race July 7. The O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 will run as a support event to the IRL that weekend. O'Reilly Auto Parts signed on for three years as sponsor of Kansas Speedway's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race The O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 will be broadcast live on ESPN at 1:00pm/et July 7.(Kansas Speedway PR)(6-21-2001)
Traffic Delays Race at Kansas: The start of the first race at Kansas Speedway was delayed 30min because of a traffic jam outside the speedway. Track and NASCAR officials announced at 11:15 a.m. CDT that the noon start of the NASCAR Winston West race would be delayed until 12:30 p.m. Traffic was backed up for miles on Interstates 70 and 435, which intersect near the new speedway. Track officials opened just a handful of entrances to the track's parking lots, presumably because much of the parking area was unsodden or flooded because of heavy rains Friday night.(SpeedVision)(6-3-2001)
Kansas Sold Out: Officials at Kansas Speedway said Monday that all grandstand season tickets for the 2001 racing season have been sold. Because no tickets for individual races will be sold, Monday's announcement means that those wanting to see either the Winston Cup or the Indy Racing League events this year who do not have tickets are probably out of luck(Kansas City Star)(4-10-2001)
Kansas City Sponsor? hearing rumors that Kansas Speedway may be named the Sprint Kansas Speedway or as a race sponsor such as Sprint PCS 400(4-4-2001)
Naming Rights: Kansas Speedway still seeking naming-rights candidates(3-29-2001)
Kansas Tix: Those holding out hope that they will be able to buy a ticket for September's Winston Cup race at Kansas Speedway without having to buy a full-season ticket are out of luck. Officials at the speedway say that season tickets for the first year of racing at the track are selling at a rate that ensures they will all be sold by the Indy Racing League weekend in July, the first event included in the season-ticket package. That means no single-event tickets will be sold for the IRL weekend, which includes a NASCAR Truck Series race and an Indy Lights race, or the Winston Cup race and accompanying Busch Grand National race (Kansas City Star)(3-22-2001)
Kansas News: The marquee event of the weekend that will raise the curtain at Kansas Speedway has had a date for months. Today, that race gets a name. When ARCA RE/MAX Series cars take to the speedway on June 2, they will be participating in the ARCA RE/MAX Board of Public Utilities 200. That name will be officially unveiled at a press conference this morning at the Jack Reardon Civic Center in Kansas City, KS(Kansas City Star)(2-1-2001)
Petty and Kansas UPDATE: Kyle Petty will be at Kansas Speedway, Wed, Dec 13th to announce a partnership at the track(Kansas Speedway PR). This announcement has been postponed until Tues, Dec 19th. Richard Petty Driving Experince maybe? or it could be Sprint being a race sponsor?(12-13-2000)
UPDATE: Officials at Kansas Speedway and NASCAR driver Kyle Petty announced Tuesday that the track will be host for the Richard Petty Driving Experience for four sessions next year. For a fee, people will be able to ride along with a professional instructor in a stock car, taking high-speed laps at the 1.5-mile Kansas track. For a bit more money, fans will actually be able to drive the cars, which are very similar to NASCAR Winston Cup cars. The Petty family has been conducting the program at high-profile NASCAR tracks such as Lowe's Motor Speedway in North Carolina and Atlanta Motor Speedway since 1994(Kansas City Star)(12-20-2000)
Kansas Adds Race: Kansas Speedway is adding another event to its 2001 schedule, bringing to three the number of racing weekends in its debut season. The latest addition to the schedule is a weekend featuring an ARCA race and a Winston West Series race(Kansas City Star)(11-13-2000)
Kansas City Star: Kansas Speedway holds promise of big economic rewards by Jim Pedley and Steve Nicely
Kansas Tests UPDATE: The placing of first of three layers of asphalt for the 1.5 mile Kansas Speedway began last Tuesday. Kansas Speedway officials have stated that an IRL driver would be the first to try out the new surface, and on Sunday, September 17, IRL driver Billy Boat(not Scott Sharp) did just that, turning speeds in excess of 130mph during the one day session. Boat was behind the wheel of Scott Goodyear's Pennzoil Panther IRL car and tested several racing grooves, and gave the track two thumbs up. The track, which is banked at fifteen degrees in turns 1-4, five degrees on the backstretch, and 10.5 on the front tri-oval, is also 55 feet in width, which Boat suggested could lend itself to the ability for the IRL drivers, "to go five to six wide down the tri-oval." Boat and crew chief Kevin Blanch concurred that qualifying speeds for the IRL cars could reach as high as 218mph. IRL cars were reportedly chosen for the test sessions due to their on board telemetry which translates real-time data, mapping the track surface with remarkable accuracy. More tests are in the works for Kansas Speedway, as two additional layers will be required for the facility. The first layer, or base course, which is primarily made up of rough asphalt, will have smother layers placed on top, occurring to the director of facility operation for Kansas Speedway, Russ Tysinger. "The second and third layers will become finer and finer until the track's final paved surface is as close to perfect as you can get," Tysinger said. The paving process is expected to be competed by mid-October(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-18-2000)
UPDATE: and see story at the Kansas City Star: Kansas Speedway track passes first test(9-20-2000)
Kansas Speedway News: The paving process at the speedway began last Tuesday. At midday Monday, special asphalt-laying equipment was making the sixth of seven passes required to put the first of three layers of pavement down by HNTB, the architectural and engineering firm that is building Kansas Speedway. When that first 2.5-inch layer is down and cured this week, the Indy Racing League will send a car and team out to take some laps. The IRL car, which will be that of driver Scott Goodyear, will be equipped with data-gathering apparatus.(KS Star)(9-13-2000)
Kansas Speedway Articles: from the Topeka Capital-Journal/CJ Online site - The need for more speedways - Speedway seen as powerful economic engine for KCK by Dana Fields of the AP; and Tracks: Fans will win with two venues by Michael Hooper of the Capital-Journal; and Many short track owners happy about Kansas Speedway by John Milburn of the AP(9-5-2000)
Kansas Tix Going Fast: Tickets for the 2001 racing season at Kansas Speedway, just eight days after going on sale, about 60,000 of 75,000 season tickets for next year's auto races at Kansas Speedway have been sold. Tickets can be bought online at www.kansasspeedway.com and by phone at (913) 328-7223. The season tickets allow fans to see four races over two weekends next year(KC Star)(8-29-2000)
Kansas Tix...soon: Kansas Speedway race tickets will be ready to obtain for the inaugural 2001 racing season, dubbed the RPM Ticket Package will first be offered to residents of Wyandotte County, August 17-18. For the rest of the world, the RPM package will go on sale Monday, August 21. No coolers will be allowed in the grandstands. Single race day tickets may go on sale in the future, but only if needed. For more info, see the Kansas Speedway Site(8-16-2000)
Kansas News: Kansas Speedway has expanded its 2001 racing schedule. Speedway officials will announce today that the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series will visit the track as a companion event for the IRL race next July 7th. Tickets for the races will go on sale later this month(KC Star and Kansas Speedway)(8-2-2000)
No New Walls: The recent concerns over concrete walls won't sway International Speedway Corporation from using the racing industry standard concrete wall at its new speedways. ISC senior vice president Lee Combs, giving an update to the media on construction of the speedways in the Kansas City and Chicago areas, said there are no plans to use or test experimental shock-absorbing walls at the new tracks scheduled to open next year(Speed Magazine)(7-18-2000)
Kansas Speedway has hired Russ Tysinger as their Director of Facility Operation. It takes effect on August 1st(PR)(6-6-2000)
Kansas Announcement UPDATE 3: If a couple of remaining details can be worked out, fans will know in a week the exact date of next year's Winston Cup race at the speedway being built in Wyandotte County, KS. Kansas Speedway Corp., the group building the track, is trying to put together a news conference for Monday, when the date of the race will be announced(Kansas City Star)(5-3-2000)
UPDATE: Press conference is scheduled at 3:15pm/et at the infield garage area of the new Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.(That's Racin')(5-7-2000)
UPDATE 2: The Kansas City Star has a story up which lists the Cup date for Kansas Speedway at Sept 30th, 2001 with a BGN race on Saturday, Sept 29th. The official announcement will be made this afternoon(Kansas City Star) This date is where Martinsville will be run this season, so it looks like the Martinsville date will be moved. Even made up a TENTATIVE 2001 Schedule with the two new dates on it, see it at my 2001 Winston Cup TENTATIVE Schedule page
UPDATE 3: the official announcement at NASCAR Online: Kansas City, here we come, the date is Sept 30th for the Cup race. Ticket info at the track site: www.kansassuperspeedway.com(5-8-2000)
Track/Race Columns concerning the two additional races(5-8/9-2000):
SpeedVision: NASCAR Invades Chicagoland, Heartland by Ben Blake
ESPN/AP: Joliet, Kansas City to host new races
That's Racin': Winston Cup officials announce dates for the two new races by David Poole
Roanoke Times: Martinsville race falls back - 2 new Winston Cup races likely push 2nd Martinsville race into mid-October by Dustin Long
Dallas Morning News: New tracks get NASCAR races by Tony Fabrizio
Kingsport Times News: Speedway makeover ‘has that Humpy feel,’ says Estes by Kenny Bruce
Greenville News: NASCAR adds races in Chicago, Kansas City areas by Mike Hembree
Philadelphia Daily News: New speedways to host added races/Notes by Bill Fleischman
Tennessean: Two tracks added to crowded slate by Larry Woody
St Petersburg Times: Schedule squeezes two more tracks in/Notes by Damian Cristodero
The State: NASCAR adds two tracks, races by Jim McLaurin
Races to be Added: In separate announcements planned for Monday, NASCAR will officially unveil its plans to add two races to its Winston Cup schedule next season. Sources say the Chicago area race will likely fall the week following the Pepsi 400, which annually takes place during the July 4th weekend at Daytona. The Kansas race is expected to take place in September or October. Neither race addition, which would bring to 36 the number of Winston Cup races next season, is expected to bring wholesale changes to the Winston Cup schedule, though the additions will require a few changes(That's Racin') AND Insiders believe the Joliet track will get a July race and the Kansas raceway will get a date in September. That could lead to a change in date for a race currently in September(New Hampshire? Richmond?)(SpeedVision)(5-7-2000)
Race Expansion: A new track in Kansas City and one near Chicago will be added to next season's Winston Cup schedule, though an official announcement may be a few weeks away, producing a 36-race season in 2001. None of the current tracks in the series will lose a race for 2001. See full story at That's Racin': Winston Cup schedule expanding to 36 races in 2001 and NASCAR goes for addition without subtraction by David Poole(4-24-2000)
Kansas Pace Car: The Official Replica Pace Car of the Kansas Speedway was unveiled by Grant Lynch, president of Kansas Speedway Corporation (KSC), and Mark Smith, president of the Midwest Ford Dealers Association. The 2000 Ford Taurus, which bears the Kansas Speedway logo and is adorned with racing stripes, also displays the number 58 on each of the rear fenders in memory of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, Derrick Thomas(KSC Site)(2-10-2000)
Kansas: A Press Conference has been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, Feb 9th, at the construction site of the new Kansas Speedway. Track officials will unveil a replica of their official Pace Car, as well, the media will be given a tour of the site(Racin' Network)(2-8-2000)
ISC Track News: Bill France says that tracks at Kansas City, KS, and Joliet, IL, both are on target for 2001 openings. ISC is building the Kansas City track and is a partner in the Joliet track. France also said ISC and developer Donald Trump are looking at "two or three different places," in the New York area and ISC still is eyeing Denver as a potential site(Roanoke Times)(11-14-1999)
Kansas City Business Journal Column: Speedway sponsors grab pole positions by Brian Cookson(11-8-1999)
Kansas City Track Column: Work proceeding on auto speedway in Wyandotte County by Jim Pedley and Steve Nicely(11-6-1999)
KC Seats UPDATE: The Kansas Speedway Corp. will announce Wednesday morning(or already did announce) that it will immediately begin selling seat-purchasing rights to the NASCAR-style track under construction in Wyandotte County. The rights to 13,750 "premium" seats will be offered. The cost will be from $400 to $1,250 per seat, depending on location. See full story at: Kansas Speedway to sell rights to premium seats(KC Star)(7-28-1999) -- UPDATE: from the Kansas Speedway site: Kansas Speedway Corporation (KSC) launched its ticket sales efforts today by inviting Kansas City Royals baseball legend and recent "Hall of Fame" inductee, George Brett, to become the Inaugural Founding Fan of the new speedway currently under construction in Kansas City, Kansas. see the full story at: Kansas Speedway Corporation Launches Ticket Sales Effort(7-29-1999)
KC/IRL? The Kansas City speedway may be open for business next fall, according to sources close to the operation. But its first event apparently will be an Indy Racing League event, not a Winston Cup race, probably in October, according to those sources(PitNow)(7-26-1999)
Kansas City Expansion: due to the overwhelming demand for hospitality suites, the company is considering expansion of its suite offering at the speedway it is building in Kansas. Already, the company has secured long-term lease agreements on all of the suites currently planned at the Midwest's premier motorsports facility, which is under construction at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 435 in Kansas City, Kan. See complete story at Kansas Speedway Corporation Considering Expansion Due to Overwhelming Demand For Hospitality Suites(Yahoo Biz)(7-13-1999)
Kansas City Delay: Lawsuits and lousy weather have made it increasingly unlikely that the new auto racing track in Wyandotte County will be ready in time for next year's Winston Cup season. See full story at: Kansas track facing construction delays(CNN/SI/AP)(7-6-1999)
Kansas Track Story: Racin' sure has changed by Joe Posnanski(KC Star via That's Racin')(5-27-1999)
Kansas City Groundbreaking: Kansas Speedway Corporation (KSC) officials held the official construction celebration Tuesday, May 25, 1999, for its new motorsports facility located in Kansas City, Kansas. The ceremony took place at the site of the future speedway in Wyandotte County. Guests in attendance included Kansas State Governor Bill Graves, NASCAR Winston Cup Drivers Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Ken Schrader as well as many speedway officials(DaytonaUSA KCS Site)(5-26-1999)
Kansas City Tickets: Kansas City Speedway ticket packages will be available online very soon, possibly before the end of July. Ground breaking in KC on Tuesday, May 25th(5-24-1999)
Kansas City: Turner Construction Company, with an office in Kansas City, Mo., has been awarded the general construction contract for the $130m Kansas Speedway project of International Speedway Corp. Turner Construction is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Turner Corp., the nation's leading general builder. Turner has been involved in the project for two years, providing pre-construction and design development services(Racer Mag)(5-19-1999)
Kansas City Story: at PitNow - K.C. track will look like Vegas, but steeper(4-28-1999)
KC News: Bill France, the chairman of the board of the International Speedway Corporation, got his first look at the construction that will become Kansas International Speedway in another 20 months or so. He targeted the year 2001 as the most likely date for the first race at Kansas International Speedway -- though he wouldn't completely rule out next year. And he virtually promised a Winston Cup event. See the story at France makes trip to Kansas track (KC Star)(3-28-1999)
Kansas City: The first green flag could drop as early as next year on the track, which is now under construction at the northwest intersection of Interstates 70 and 435 in Kansas City, KS. See article at Countdown is on for NASCAR racing at Kansas City speedway (Kansas City Business Journal)(3-1-1999)
Kansas City Track Article: It's a week old but I just got wind of it - The only engines roaring at Kansas International Speedway in the near future will be those of earth movers. But at least now it is dead certain that auto-racing engines will have their time at the track in Wyandotte County. The final legal obstacles confronting the developers of the track were cleared late last week, and revenue bonds are being issued to complete construction of the facility. Fans can at least begin fantasizing about big-time racing in the Kansas City area. See complete story at: Kansas International Speedway nearing reality(2-3-1999)
ISC's proposed Kansas International Speedway may not be completed in time for the 2000 season. ISC announced that the sale of bonds by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS has been delayed. Proceeds from the bonds will help finance construction of the new 1.5 mile track.(Speedworld)(10-3-98)
A group of property owners has filed suit to stop development of the proposed Kansas International Speedway on the grounds that moving and relocation payments are insufficient and violate federal and Kansas laws. The story is at the KC Star www.kcstar.com - "Property owners file another suit to stop development of Kansas speedway", They move their stories around so much, so I removed the link, and the story is too long to include here.(KC Star)(8-11-98)
See the story about the KC Track at: Kansas Senate approves proposed Wyandotte County NASCAR track, The Kansas Senate on Tuesday cleared the way for a proposed $252 million speedway in Wyandotte County. If land purchases proceed as planned, construction of the racetrack could start as early as May 1, with events similar to the Daytona 500 beginning in the year 2000.(2-19-98)
and....JOE POSNANSKI: NASCAR will be a hit in KC and a story all about the drive to bring the track to KC at High Speed, High Stakes, has a proposed layout.(2-19-98)
"Ground Breaking is planned for July on a 1.5-mile superspeedway near Cincinnati. William Moss, the Birmingham engineer who helped design the Talladega and Las Vegas tracks, is adviser for the project, which backers hope can attract a Winston Cup date."(JournalNow)(2-14-98)
Kansas House gives tentative nod to 30-year tax breaks for NASCAR track.(2-11-98)
"A 75,000-seat racing facility has been approved for the Kansas City area and should be completed by 2000. International Speedway Corp. will develop the 1.5-mile oval in Kansas City, Kans., which was approved by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Ground should be broken in 1998, followed by negotiations for motorsports events. Phase I will cost $198.3 million and Phase II $54.1 million. The facility will eventually expand to a possible 150,000 seats"(SpeedNet)(12-25-97)
International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has announced that its board of directors and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kan., have unanimously approved the development agreement for a 1.5-mile oval motor speedway in Western Kansas City, Kan.(NASCAR FAns/NASCAR Online see the whole story there plus the AP story at Tampa Tribune)(12-18-97)
ISC announced ground breaking plans and seating estimates today for the 1.5 mile oval track in Kansas City. The full story is at: International Speedway Enters Next Stage Of Development In Kansas City.(12-11-97)
ISC - International Speedway Corp(Bill France) has signed on to negotiate exclusively with Kansas City, KS with the sole purpose to see about building a racetrack there. See article NASCAR Track To Negotiate Exclusively With KCK about the KC track. Supports the report on a Charlotte radio station this morning re: a major ISC announcement today, thanks Cindy(8-6-97)
Story at the Kansas City Star, "KC leaders told to get serious about proposed superspeedway", see the story by going to KC Star and do a search on NASCAR(7-10-97)
NASCAR'S Jim Hunter, who manages Darlington Raceway, has been escorting Kansas City officials around Daytona. NASCAR's Bill France has been pushing to have a new superspeedway built in the Kansas City area for a Winston Cup event eventually
Wow, that's a lot of stuff and there is more there(JournalNow)(7-5-97)
Bill France and other NASCAR officials have been in Kansas City this week trying to get stalled negotiations for a new superspeedway there going again. The Kansas side-track option apparently died a few weeks ago, and France is now trying to woo Missouri officials to put the track on that side of the state line . . . if he can get the right tax breaks(5-18-97)

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