Kansas Motor Speedway Racing School Experience, Kansas Driving Experience Dates

Kansas Motor Speedway Racing School

“My dad, my brother, and myself completed the 20-lap class…it was one of the most amazing thrills of our lives…When [my dad] got out of the car, well, the expression on his face cannot be put into words.”

Mark Griggs

The Kansas Motor Speedway stands out from the other racetracks because it is far newer; it was built in 2001, and some feel it is still being “broken in” because its second groove is still developing and because a number of racing greats have not yet had a win there. Racecar drivers find Kansas Motor Speedway challenging to drive and a racetrack for serious racing fun, particularly since the banking is shallower than at most other speedways - only 15° on turns instead of the more common 24°. Its frontstretch and backstretch are banked differently from each other too, at 10.4° and 5°, respectively. Driving the Kansas racetrack is a balancing act between grabbing the ideal line and trying to get the top spot for better aerodynamic downforce - guaranteed to give you a run for your money.

Racetrack Specifications

Completed: 2001

Length: 1.5 miles

Shape: Tri-oval

Banking: 15° turns, 10.4° frontstretch, 5° backstretch

Seating capacity: 82,000

Location:

Kansas Motor Speedway
400 Speedway Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66111
913-328-3300
http://www.kansasspeedway.com/

Driving Directions:

FROM INTERSTATE 70

Take exit I-70 at 110th Street (exit No. 410). You'll be routed to Speedway Boulevard, where parking attendants will direct you to Talladega Drive.

FROM HIGHWAY 7

Take State Avenue (Highway 24) east to the speedway.

EAST OF I-435

Take State Avenue west to the speedway

FROM I-435

Take Interstate 70 west to 110th Street (exit No. 410).

“I just wanted to express how much of a lifetime dream came true for me when I got to go to Dale’s racing adventure. It is something that I will never ever be able to explain to my friends how it felt to be in the driver’s seat going 150 mph. Thank you Dale for having this for people like me to enjoy.”

Brenda Lowry

Description of Kansas City, Kansas:

Kansas City is situated at the juncture of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, a fork known as “Kaw Point.” Straddling both states, Kansas City is a Midwestern city with an eclectic mix of “flavors” from Wild West and farm country to New Orleans-type jazz and architecture inspired by art deco and Mediterranean design. The city boasts over 200 ornate fountains and a wide variety of activities.

Accommodations:

Hotels:

Great Wolf Lodge Village West http://www.greatwolf.com

Hampton Inn Village West http://www.greatwolf.com

Holiday Inn Express Village West http://www.ichotelsgroup.com

Harrah’s Hotel & Casino (North Kansas City) http://www.harrahs.com

Transportation:

Kansas City International Airport, MCI (30 minutes)

Amtrak to Kansas City, Missouri

Limousine service can be arranged

Restaurants:

- Near the racetrack:

International House of Pancakes (Ihop)

Wendy’s

McDonald’s

Famous Dave’s

Ted’s Montana

Longhorn

Cheeseburger in Paradise

- Not nearby but worth catching if you venture past:

Grand Street Café

Arthur Bryant’s (barbecue)

Lidia’s Kansas City

Aixois (latte, chocolate croissants)

Things To See and Do:

American Jazz Museum www.americanjazzmuseum.com

Ameristar Casino http://www.ameristarcasinos.com

Crossroads Arts District www.kccrossroads.org

Dave and Buster’s http://search.cityguide.aol.com

Harrah’s Casino http://www.harrahs.com

Jardine’s (jazz club) www.jardines4jazz.com

Kansas City Chiefs football http://www.ameristarcasinos.com

Kansas City Royals baseball http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com

Kansas City T-Bones baseball http://www.tbonesbaseball.com

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art www.kemperart.org

Legends at Village West Shopping & Movie Theater http://search.cityguide.aol.com

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art www.nelson-atkins.org

Sandstone Amphitheater (concerts) http://www.livenation.com

Schlitterbahn Vacation Village & Waterpark (Opening in 2009) http://www.schlitterbahn.com

Shawnee Indian Mission http://www.kshs.org

Sunflower Hills Golf Course http://www.livenation.com

Union Station www.unionstation.org

Woodlands Race Park http://www.woodlandskc.com

History:

Kansas Motor Speedway’s brief history began in 1996, when the International Speedway Corporation decided to build a Midwestern speedway facility. Through a number of funding initiatives, the speedway construction began. By August of 2000, nearly 80% of the season tickets for its inaugural season had been sold, even though construction was not to be completed until spring of 2001. On June 2, 2001, the speedway opened its grandstands for the first time with the ARCA RE/MAX Series event, won by Frank Kimmel, and the NASCAR Winston West Series, which was won by Jason Jarrett. In the years since then, the wins have included Jeff Gordon, Joe Nemechek, Tony Stewart, and many other notable racecar drivers.