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.

November 4, 1999 - Kansas Speedway announces that it is on track with its goals of utilizing Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Woman Business Enterprises (WBE) in the construction of the speedway project. With 83% of the project awarded to date, 24.29% has been awarded to MBE and 7.15% to WBE. It is anticipated with only 17% of the project to be awarded, Kansas Speedway Corporation will successfully meet and exceed the goals of 15% for MBE and 7% for WBE involving the facility's construction.

February 9, 2000 - Kansas Speedway unveils a 2000 Ford Taurus as its Official Replica Pace Car. The car, which is adorned with racing stripes, also displays the number 58 on each of the rear fenders in memory of former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, Derrick Thomas.

May 8, 2000 - NASCAR and Indy Racing League announce they will bring events to Kansas Speedway for its inaugural racing season in 2001.

Indy Racing League - July 8, 2001
NASCAR Busch Series - September 29, 2001
NASCAR Winston Cup Series - September 30, 2001

August 1, 2000 - NASCAR announces they will bring a third event to Kansas Speedway. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will race in Kansas on July 7, 2001.

August 17, 2000 - Kansas Speedway tickets go on-sale to residents of Wyandotte County.

August 21, 2000 - Kansas Speedway tickets go on-sale world-wide via the internet, telephone, fax, US mail and at local Price Choppers.

August 25, 2000 - Kansas Speedway announces that nearly 80% of the season tickets for its inaugural season have been sold.

September 10, 2000 - Kansas Speedway officials announce that paving is under way.

Spring 2001 - Kansas Speedway construction completed.

June 2, 2001 - Kansas Speedway opens its grandstands for the first time with two events - the ARCA RE/MAX Series and the then NASCAR Winston West Series. Frank Kimmel wins the NASCAR event; Jason Jarrett wins the ARCA race.

April 17, 2001: Hoosier Tires, the official tire of the ARCA RE/MAX Series, tests at Kansas Speedway.

April 16, 2001: ARCA RE/MAX Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Ryan Newman tests his Penske South ARCA car during a test at Kansas Speedway, reaching speeds in excess of 170 mph.

April 17, 2001: Hoosier Tires, the official tire of the ARAC RE/MAX Series tests at Kansas Speedway.

April 19, 2001: Teams from the CART-sanctioned Dayton Indy Lights Championship run at Kansas Speedway during an open test.

April 20, 2001: Speedway officials announce TRUXPO Truck Tour will be featured at Kansas Speedway on July 21-22. TRUXPO will run in conjunction with the Kansas Speedway / Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue Cook-off on July 20-21. About 200 barbecue teams are expected to compete for some $40,000 in cash and prizes.

May 6, 2001: Kansas Speedway opens its gates for Founding Fans during "Meet Your Seat Day" at the track.

May 8, 2001: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce names Kansas Speedway a tourism leader, presenting track President Grant Lynch with an award.

May 15, 2001: NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers Bill Elliott and Elliott Sadler test Goodyear Tires at Kansas Speedway.

May 22, 2001: Great names in motorsports, including seven-time Winston Cup champion Richard Petty, his son Kyle Petty, former Winston Cup champion and NBC analyst Benny Parsons, NASCAR President mike Helton, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George, Indy car great Al Unser Jr., attend the Kansas City Sports Commission's Kansas Speedway Kickoff Luncheon at Kansas Speedway.

June 1, 2001: Ryan Newman takes the pole for the ARCA RE/MAX Series BPU 200, posting a fast lap of 171.162 mph. Jon Wood takes the pole for the NASCAR Winston West Series Kansas 150, posting a speed of 168.534.

June 2, 2001: The gates of Kansas Speedway open for the inaugural running of the NASCAR Winston West Series Kansas 150 and ARCA RE/MAX Series BPU 200. Frank Kimmel wins the KansasSpeedway.com 150, with Jason Jarrett winning the ARCA race.

June 20, 2001: Teams from the IRL test Kansas Speedway. Greg Ray and Robbie Buhl are fastest in practice, each running about 212 mph around the track.

July 6, 2001: Dennis Setzer takes the pole for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 250, posting a speed of 162.411 mph.

July 7, 2001: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Ricky Hendrick takes his first-ever checkered flag during the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250. He won more than $40,000 for the race. CART's Dayton Indy Light Championship qualifies at Kansas Speedway. Mario Dominguez takes the pole, running at 180.881 mph. The Indy Racing League qualifies with Scott Sharp running a fast 216.175 mph. The weekend marks the first time CART and IRL run on the same track during the same weekend.

July 8, 2001: Eddie Cheever wins the inaugural Ameristar Casino Indy 200. He led 104 of 200 laps. The fastest lap was set by Mark Dismore, who ran a 217.347 mph during lap 125. CART's Daytona Indy Light Championship sets the closest finish in motorsports history when Kristian Kolby edged Damien Faulkner and Townsend Bell by a mere .001 of a second. (Bell was later penalized two positions by Indy Lights officials for actions taken on the track. Bell, already on probation by the league, took unnecessary racing risks during the final lap, according to officials, when he pushed the No. 21 car of Matt Halliday high on the tri-oval.) Dayton Indy Lights rookies swept the top-four positions in the race.

Sept. 27, 2001: NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing comes to Kansas City, Kan.! Jason Leffler takes the pole for the Winston Cup race, while Kevin LePage takes the top position for the Busch Series race.

Sept. 28, 2001: NASCAR Busch Series driver Jeff Green wins the inaugural Mr. Goodcents 300. Hank Parker Jr. finished second, 2.129 seconds behind.

Sept. 29, 2001: A sold-out crowd watches Jeff Gordon win the first-ever NASCAR Winston Cup Series at Kansas Speedway. Ryan Newman was second, only .0413 seconds behind.

March 19, 2002: Jeff Boerger is named Kansas Speedway president, replacing Grant Lynch.

Sept. 19, 2008 Kansas Speedway and The Cordish Company are awarded the management contract for a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino overlooking turn two.

Gatorade Victory Lane at Kansas Speedway

2001
Jason Jarrett, ARCA RE/MAX Series, June 2, 2001
Frank Kimmel, NASCAR Winston West Series, June 2, 2001
Ricky Hendrick, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, July 7, 2001
Kristian Kolby, CART Dayton Indy Lights Series, July 8, 2001
Eddie Cheever Jr., IRL Northern Light Series, July 8, 2001
Jeff Green, NASCAR Busch Series, Sept. 29, 2001
Jeff Gordon, NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Sept. 30, 2001

2002
Frank Kimmel, ARCA RE/MAX Series, June 1, 2002
Brandon Ash, NASCAR Winston West Series, June 1, 2002
Mike Bliss, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, July 6, 2002
A.J. Foyt IV., IRL Infiniti Pro Series, July 7, 2002
Airton Dare, IRL IndyCar Series, July 7, 2002
Jeff Burton, NASCAR Busch Series, Sept. 28, 2002
Jeff Gordon, NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Sept. 29, 2002

2003
Shelby Howard, ARCA RE/MAX Series, June 1, 2003
Jon Wood, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, July 5, 2003
Mark Taylor, IRL Infiniti Pro Series, July 6, 2003
Bryan Herta, IRL IndyCar Series, July 6, 2003
David Green, NASCAR Busch Series, Oct. 4, 2003
Ryan Newman, NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Oct. 5, 2003

2004
Ryan Hemphill, ARCA RE/MAX Series, June 5, 2004
Carl Edwards, NACSR Craftsman Truck Series, July 3, 2004
Thiago Medeiros, IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series, July 3, 2004
Buddy Rice, IRL IndyCar Series, July 4, 2003
Joe Nemechek, NASCAR Busch Series, Oct. 9, 2004
Joe Nemechek, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Oct. 10, 2004

2005
Chad Blount, ARCA RE/MAX Series, July 2, 2005
Todd Bodine, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, July 2, 2005
Tony Kanaan, IRL IndyCar Series, July 3, 2005
Kasey Kahne, NASCAR Busch Series, Oct. 8, 2005
Mark Martin, NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Oct. 9, 2005

2006
Terry Cook, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, July 1, 2006
Frank Kimmel, ARCA Re/Max, July 1, 2006
Sam Hornish Jr., IRL IndyCar Series, July 2, 2006
Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Busch Series, Sept. 30, 2006
Aaron Pierce, USAC, Sept. 30, 2006
Tony Stewart, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Oct. 1, 2006

2007
Erik Darnell, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, April 28, 2007
Scott Lagasse, ARCA Re/Max, April 28, 2007
Dan Wheldon, IRL IndyCar Series, April 29, 2007
Kyle Busch, NASCAR Busch Series, Sept. 29, 2007
J.J. Yeley, USAC, Sept. 29, 2007
Greg Biffle, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Sept. 30, 2007

2008
Kansas Lottery $150 Grand (ARCA RE/MAX Series) - Scott Speed
O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) - Ron Hornaday, Jr.
Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 (IndyCar Series) – Dan Wheldon
Kansas Lottery 100 (Indy Lights Series) – J.R. Hildebrand
Kansas Lottery 300 (NASCAR Nationwide Series) – Denny Hamlin
Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series) – Jimmie Johnson

Track Specs

Size:
Kansas Speedway 1.5 mile tri-oval suitable for all types of racing

Banking:
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.

Fun Facts

• Throughout a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekend at Kansas Speedway, Americrown, who handles all concessions, catering and merchandise for the track, sells more than 31,600 gallons of soda. How far could a NASCAR stock car go on 31,600 gallons of fuel? It could circle the earth 16 times before it had to make a pit stop. That's 129,272 laps around the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway.
  
• Race fans eat 14,504 hot dogs on a typical race weekend at the track. That's enough wieners to cover 437 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stock cars from nose to tail.
  
• About 25,000 hamburgers, which equals about 6,615 pounds, are eaten over the course of the weekend. That much meat adds up to 49 Mark Martins, the lightest driver on the NEXTEL Cup circuit at 135 pounds.
  
• Around 26,203 gallons of beer is sold. That's enough to fill a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stock car gas tank 1,191 times.
  
• Nearly 250 yards of bratwurst are sold.
  
• About 23,200 orders of French fries are sold.
  
• Kansas Speedway specialty food: Chicken Spiedini; Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, a must-have of Bill France's when he comes to town; and Boulevard Beer, a beer brewed right here in Kansas City.
  
• About 17 semi-trailers full of bagged ice is used by guests and teams during the NASCAR event in 2001. That's enough pallets of ice to load on 320 fork lifts at one time.
  
• Some 2,500 Americrown employees log 100,000 hours to feed the thousands of race fans during a typical weekend at the track.
  
• Kansas Speedway seats nearly 82,000 spectators in the grandstands, but will eventually expand to 150,000. 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).
  
• More than 11 million cubic yards of dirt was moved to construct Kansas Speedway. That's enough dirt to fill 1 million dump trucks or an NFL stadium five times.
  
• The Sears Tower in Chicago could be laid end-to-end 45 times to equal the amount of storm sewer pipe used in Kansas Speedway's infrastructure.
  
• The size of Kansas Speedway's trioval equals the size of eight football fields. The sod covering trioval was transplanted entirely from a field in Lawrence, Kan.
  
• The Banquet 400 race logo painted on the infield grass is about the size of a football field.
  
• Grass seed in Kansas Speedway's infield was planted at 600 pounds per acre - about three times the normal rate. The grass combination includes a hearty mixture of fescue, bluegrass and perennial rye blended especially for Kansas Speedway.
  
• From start to finish, it takes Kansas Speedway's groundskeeping supervisor roughly 70 hours to cut the pattern in the trioval grass.
  
• On a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race weekend, Kansas Speedway becomes the fourth-largest city in the state of Kansas. (Wichita is No. 1 at 344,000; Overland Park is No. 2 at 149,000; Kansas City is No. 3 at 146,000.)
  

Source: Americrown, U.S. Census Bureau 2000, Kansas Speedway