Kansas Motor Speedway

Built to answer the demand for more racing in the midwest, Kansas has done so in style with its fantastic facilities.

A newcomer to Nextel Cup racing in 2001, Kansas Speedway opened for business on July 6, 2001 as a new addition to the International Speedway Corporation's portfolio of racing facilities. The first Winston Cup race at Kansas didn't take place until Sept. 30 that year, with Jeff Gordon adding to his impressive list of victories in inaugural races.

Kansas Speedway, like many of the other modern tracks on the circuit, is a 1.5-mile tri-oval. What sets this speedway apart, however, is the relatively shallow banking in the turns (15 degrees), as compared to the steeper Charlotte, Atlanta or Texas. Kansas is banked 10.4 degrees on the frontstretch and 5 degrees on the backstretch. In addition to its annual fall Nextel Cup race, Kansas also hosts the Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Indy Racing League.

Jason Leffler won the pole for the 2001 Protection 400 at 176.499 mph (30.595 seconds), setting a de facto track record in the process. Kansas Speedway, located near the intersection of I-70 and I-435 approximately 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City, Kansas, provides grandstand seating for 78,000 fans. Those who wish to attend the Cup event there are advised to order early. The track's 32 luxury boxes sold out two years before the first Winston Cup event took place. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee George Brett purchased the first Fan P.A.S.S. (Preferred Access Speedway Seating).

Jeff Gordon won the inaugural race at Kansas in 2000 and returned to Victory Lane in 2001.

Buy Tickets for Kansas Motor Speedway events