KANSAS CITY, Kan. — NASCAR thunders into Kansas Speedway this weekend with a tough act to follow.
This is the speedway’s second round of stock car action this season, as NASCAR’s Cup Series Playoffs are in full swing. As of this weekend, only seven races remain until a champion is crowned.
May 5 was the last Cup Series race at this intermediate racetrack. Fans in the stands saw the closest finish in NASCAR history. Kyle Larson outlegged Chris Buescher to claim victory by roughly one inch. Kansas Speedway will be hard-pressed to match that memorable moment.
“Now, you can come to the place that has the closest finish in the history of our sport,” Patrick Warren, Kansas Speedway President since 2010, beamed.
Warren knows race fans will travel to KCK this weekend from all around. Tickets are still available for two races on Friday night, the Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday afternoon and the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday. Warren said some tickets are as cheap as $49, and on Friday and Saturday night, kids 12 and under get in free.
Here’s a complete list of this weekend’s races:
FRIDAY — ARCA Menards Series Reese’s 150 at 4:30 p.m. followed by NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Kubota Tractor 200 at 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY — NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 at 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY — NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at 2 p.m.
Parking is free in the speedway’s grass lots, and ridesharing services will take fans right to the grandstand gates. Camping is available in nearby areas for less than 200 dollars for the weekend. The racetrack offers food options, and fans are allowed to pack small coolers with food and beer.
Warren said keeping the races at lower costs than other major league sports has been a priority for NASCAR President Jim France.
“Even with inflation and some of the things we’ve seen over the last few years, Jim has been adamant about us not increasing our price or holding price increases to the absolute minimum,” Warren added.
Warren figures a family of four can attend this weekend's races for less than 200 dollars if they plan their budget carefully. Tickets are available here.