Kansas City radio icons to deliver the command for NASCAR Cup Series playoff race
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Sept. 22, 2025) – Kansas Speedway is proud to announce that Johnny Dare and members of the wildly popular Johnny Dare Morning Show will serve as Grand Marshals for this Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 presented by ESPN BET. The race, a key event in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, will feature Kansas Speedway’s signature blend of high-speed action with an added dose of Kansas City flavor.
Johnny Dare was a mainstay of Kansas City’s airwaves for 32 years and host of the long-running Johnny Dare Morning Show on 98.9 The Rock. He became a local legend not only for his bold and entertaining radio style but also for his unwavering commitment to the community.
“Johnny Dare is not just a Kansas City voice – he’s a true Kansas City icon,” Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren said. “From his charity efforts to his connection with listeners, he embodies the spirit of this city. We’re thrilled to have him and his crew deliver the command to start engines for one of the most anticipated races of the season.”
In addition to his decades-long radio career, Johnny Dare is known for his extensive charity work, including organizing the annual Hope for the Holidays campaign, which helps struggling families throughout the Kansas City area with food, housing, and holiday gifts. He also served as honorary chairman of the March of Dimes’ Bikers for Babies ride organized by the late Don Post, who won the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award in 2013. Dare’s dedication to giving back has earned him respect far beyond the studio.
“I’ve been a fan of NASCAR for years, and to be part of something this big, in our own backyard, is a real honor,” Dare said. “Kansas City has always shown up for us, and we’re proud to show up for them – especially at an event that brings so much excitement and pride to the community.”
Racing at Kansas Speedway begins Friday with the ARCA Menards Series’ Reese’s 150, followed by Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. That sets the stage for Sunday when the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 will continue with the Hollywood Casino 400 presented by ESPN BET.
Fans are urged to get their tickets now by visiting www.kansasspeedway.com.
About Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a premier motorsports facility in the Midwest. The track, which opened in 2001, hosts two NASCAR Cup Series weekends each year, along with approximately 200 other event days each year. This includes the annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue, the largest barbecue competition in the world which attracts teams both nationally and internationally. The Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, which opened in 2012, overlooks Turn 2 of the track. Fans can purchase tickets at www.kansasspeedway.com and get all of the latest information by downloading the NASCAR tracks app at www.kansasspeedway.com/nascar-tracks-app.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
