Kansas Speedway
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Here are a few key events in Kansas Speedway's history:
October 15, 1996 - International Speedway Corporation explores options to build a speedway facility in the Midwest region of the United States.
January 10, 1997 - The Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri area is chosen as the prospective Midwest location.
August 6, 1997 - Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas are selected as the site for the new speedway.
October 15, 1997 - Grant Lynch is appointed as president of the Kansas Speedway Corporation project.
January 18, 1998 - Bonds are sold and financing is approved to begin construction of the 1.5 mile tri-oval 75,000 seat speedway project.
May 25, 1999 - The Construction Celebration kicks off the work to be done at the speedway, which will be located in Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County at the intersections of Interstates 70 and 435. NASCAR Winston Cup Series Drivers Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Kenny Schrader help kick off the event along with NASCAR President, Bill France, Jr., International Speedway Corporation (ISC) President and Chief Operating Officer, Jim France and ISC Executive Vice President, Lesa Kennedy. Also in attendance are Kansas Governor, Bill Graves and Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas Unified Government Mayor/CEO, Carol Marinovich.
May 25, 1999 - Kansas Speedway Corporation announces that the profits from its sale of Personalized Paver Stones at the facility's main entrance will go to endow Checkered Flag Charities (CFC). CFC, a 501 (c) (3) organization, will provide financial assistance to programs that advance youth and community development in Wyandotte County and Greater Kansas City.
June 22, 1999 - The Kansas City Sports Commission presents an award to Bill France as an Outstanding Promoter of Sports in the Kansas City area.
July 28, 1999 - Kansas Speedway launches ticket sales effort through the sale of the Founding Fan P.A.S.S. (Preferred Access Speedway Seating). Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, George Brett, purchases the first Fan P.A.S.S., which will allow fans to lock-in the best seat locations at the track as well as acquire benefits otherwise not available to the general public.
July 29, 1999 - Due to the high level of interest in Kansas Speedway, all 32 luxury suites planned for the facility are sold out. The International Speedway Corporation Board of Directors approves funding for an additional 36 suites.
August 18, 1999 - Founding Fan P.A.S.S. is expanded to the Tower and Sky Tower seating sections due to the tremendous demand locally, regionally and nationally. The addition of these sections, essentially doubles the amount of seats available through the Fan P.A.S.S.
November 4, 1999 - Kansas Speedway announces its initial marketing partners. The Midwest Ford Dealers Association, University of Kansas Medical Center, Pepsi-Cola, Price Chopper Supermarkets and Coors Brewing Company. The strength of these brands continues to demonstrate the high level of interest the construction of the facility has generated in both consumer and commercial markets.
Track Specs
Size:
Kansas Speedway 1.5 mile tri-oval suitable for all types of racingBanking:
15 degrees in the turns
10.4 degrees in the front stretch
5 degrees in the back stretch
The track pavement width is 55 feet.Location:
The speedway is strategically located at the intersection of I-435 and I-70 in Kansas City, Kan., about 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City.Seating Capacity:
The track seats nearly 82,000 spectators in the grandstands, but will eventually expand to 150,000 upon completion of the final phase of development. The facility has fan friendly access to 65 rows of seating, with a unique ground level concourse that allows spectators to walk down 30 rows (on grade) or up 35 rows (on structure).Parking
Parking for the facility accommodates more than 65,000 vehicles. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway.SAFER Barrier
The Steel and Foan Energy Reduction System (SAFER barrier) at Kansas Speedway is made of steel tubes and pads of energy-absorbing foam attached to the track's existing concrete retainer walls between Turns 1 and 2, between Turns 3 and 4 and along most of the frontstretch. The total 1.28 miles of SAFER walls around Kansas Speedway is the longest length at any of the tracks with SAFER walls on the NASCAR circuit. The SAFER wall at Kansas Speedway is about 40 inches high, and extends about 30 inches from the wall. Each SAFER wall section consists of five steel tubes stacked vertically. Closed cell foam is stacked between the steel tubes and the old retaining wall to create energy-absorbing pylons.
