Kansas Speedway

About the Venue

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Kansas Speedway is a 1.5-mile tri-oval constructed near the intersection of two major interstate highways about 15 miles from downtown Kansas City. Seating capacity is nearly 87,000 and the speedway boasts great views from every seat, and there’s room to increase capacity up to 150,000 seats down the road.

The track is 55 feet wide with 15 degrees of banking in its turns, 10.4 degrees on the tri-oval front stretch and 5 degrees on the backstretch.

Kansas Speedway’s inaugural season was in 2001. The speedway hosted a variety of motorsports events including the NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch series, Craftsman Truck Series and Indy Racing League.

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City Guide

Kansas City, KS

Racing came to Kansas City in 2001 when the Kansas Speedway opened.  This state-of-the-art track has a flexible capacity of 81,000-150,000 seats and hold several events, including the Sprint Cup Series’ Banquet 400.

If you want to come the day of the race, parking lots open at 6:00am, and all lots are free.  Keep in mind, there is no overnight parking in the parking lots.  To do that, you need a campsite – and an RV.

There are three camping areas on the property.  Motor Home Terrace, Reserved Infield, and Kansas Campground.  Only self-driven, self-contained RVs are allowed in the lots; although campers can stay in the Infield and Campground.  You can pull in the Thursday evening before the race.  None of the spaces have hookups or dumping stations.  Camping costs vary between sites so call (866) 460-RACE for details.

To help fans get around the Speedway property, shuttles, trams, and trolleys are proved to run on race days between several locations, including the Sprint Fan Walk.

The Sprint Fan Walk is an interactive area in the infield, where you can take a look behind the scenes.  You can watch crew chiefs and teams work on cars, observe race-day press conferences and hand out in Autograph Alley to catch your favorite drivers.  There are also concession stands.

Another popular pre-race area is the Souvenir and Display Midway location on either side of the main entrance.

During the Day

American Jazz Museum: In the historic 18th and Vine District, this is where jazz greats like Charlie Parker, Count Basie, and Big Joe Turner defined the sounds of the 1920s – 40s. The museum tells their stories, as well as hundreds of others, as it walks you through the history of this truly American music. There’s also the Blue Room, a working jazz club. ($, 1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO, (816) 474-8463, www.americanjazzmuseum.com)

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library Museum: One of ten Presidential Libraries in the country, the museum chronicles the life of Harry Truman, the nation’s 33rd president and the man who ordered atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, effectively ending World War II. Displays include photos, personal artifacts, and traveling exhibits. ($, 500 W. U.S. Hwy 24, Independence, MO, (816) 833-1400, www.trumanlibrary.org)

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: African-Americans began playing baseball in the late 1800s, in time playing with white players on professional teams. But racism and “Jim Crow” laws forced them from these teams and they formed their own leagues. This museum uses film, memorabilia, and other exhibits to tell their stories. ($, 1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO, (816) 221-1920, www.nlbm.com)

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Just look for the huge badminton birdies. Okay, it’s actually an exhibit called Shuttlecocks, and is part of the museums sculpture garden (which also has the largest collection of monumental bronze pieces by Henry Moore). Inside, is one America’s premier art institutions, renowned for its outstanding Asian-art collection, including Chinese works from 1200 B.C. – 500 B.C. (no, that’s not “Before Chiefs”). (Free – 4525 Oak, Kansas City, MO, (816) 751-1227, www.nelson-atkins.org)

Swope Park: In 1896 Colonel Thomas Swope donated to the city land that is now a park named for him. It was one of Kansas City’s first parks, and is one of the largest. It is also filled with stuff to do besides walk, exercise, or relax. It is home to the Starlight Theatre, a golf course, a nature center, and the Kansas City Zoo. The recently renovated zoo includes a 5,000-acre African-plains exhibit and is home to more than 1500 animals. (Park: Main St. at 47th St., Kansas City, MO, (816) 513-7500; Zoo: $, 6700 Zoo Dr., Swope Park, Kansas City, MO, (816) 871-5701, www.kansascityzoo.org)

Shopping

Country Club Plaza: Built in 1922 and fashioned after the Moorish architecture of Seville, Spain, this is America’s oldest shopping district.  There are more than 180 shops, along with some of the city’s best hotels, restaurants, and clubs. You’ll find famous names like Armani, Harold’s, and Adrienne Vittadini here, as well as local boutiques line Hemline, Hudson & Jane, and Pinstripes. (47th and Main Sts., Kansas City, MO, (816) 753-0100, www.countryclubplaza.com)

Crown Center: Joyce Hall and his son Donald built Crown Center as a redevelopment project for a decaying area near downtown. Now their company, Hallmark Cards, is headquartered here and the Center boasts hotels, specialty shops, dining, theater, and a multiplex cinema. It’s also home to the only public outdoor skating rink in Kansas City, which is open from November to March. (2450 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO, (816) 274-8444, www.crowncenter.com)

The content for this city is an excerpt from The Ultimate Tailgater's Travel Guide.  For more information on The Ultimate Tailgater's Travel Guide or to buy the book visit www.theultimatetailgater.com.