Kansas Speedway History

·         Groundbreaking was held on May 25, 1999.

·         The official opening of Kansas Speedway was in 2001, with the first events being an ARCA race and a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race on the same day – June 2.

·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was Sept. 30, 2001.

·         During the 2012 season, between the April race and this weekend’s event the 1.5-mile track underwent a repave adding variable banking in the corners and on the frontstretch.

Notebook

·         There have been 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kansas since the track opened in 2001.

·         All of the races have been scheduled for 267 laps.

·         10 drivers have competed in all 13 races at Kansas. Mark Martin has completed the most laps at Kansas with 3,388.

·         Jeff Gordon won the first two NASCAR Sprint Cup races.

·         Jason Leffler won the first pole in September 2001.

·         10 different drivers have won poles, led by Jimmie Johnson with three.

·         Nine different drivers have posted victories, led by Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart (each with two).

·         Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Kansas with four, followed by Roush Fenway Racing with three.

·         Seven of the 13 races have been won from a top-10 starting position.

·         Two drivers have won from the pole: Joe Nemechek in 2004 and Jimmie Johnson in 2008.

·         The furthest back in the field that a race winner started was 25th, by Brad Keselowski last season.

·         Two active drivers with more than one start have averaged a top-10 finish: Jimmie Johnson (7.9) and Greg Biffle (8.0).

·         Nine of the 13 races that ended under green had a margin of victory under one second. The 2007 race ended under caution.

·         The 2009 Chase race holds the record for most lead changes (26) among the most leaders (14) in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Kansas Speedway.

·         Jimmie Johnson has led the most laps (503) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway, followed by Greg Biffle with 346 laps led.

·         Denny Hamlin made his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway on 10/09/2005.

·         Jimmie Johnson posted the highest NSCS Driver Rating performance at Kansas Speedway in this event last season with a 149.2. A perfect Driver Rating (150.0) performance in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kansas Speedway has yet to be achieved.

·         Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kansas Speedway winner: Ryan Newman (10/05/2003 – 25 years, 9 months, 27 days). Oldest NSCS Kansas Speedway winner: Mark Martin (10/09/2005 – 46 years, 9 months, 0 days).

·         Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kansas Speedway pole winner: Jason Leffler (9/30/2001 – 26 years, 0 months, 14 days). Oldest NSCS Kansas Speedway pole winner: Mark Martin (10/04/2009 – 50 years, 8 months, 25 days).

 

Kansas Speedway Data

Chase Race #: 6 of 10

Season Race #: 32 of 36 (10-21-12)

Track Size: 1.5-mile

Variable Banking/Turns: 17-20 degrees

Variable Banking/Frontstretch: 9-11 degrees

Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees

Frontstretch Length:  2,685 feet

Backstretch Length:  2,207 feet

Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles

 

Top 12 Driver Rating at Kansas

Jimmie Johnson........................ 120.7

Greg Biffle................................ 116.3

Tony Stewart............................. 102.9

Matt Kenseth............................. 102.4

Jeff Gordon.............................. 102.2

Carl Edwards.............................. 96.2

Kevin Harvick.............................. 92.1

Mark Martin................................. 91.9

Brad Keselowski......................... 90.7

Kurt Busch.................................. 90.3

Denny Hamlin............................. 89.9

Martin Truex Jr............................ 88.4

Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2012 races (seven total) among active drivers at Kansas Speedway.

 

Qualifying/Race Data

2011 pole winner:

Greg Biffle, Ford (174.887 mph, 30.877 sec., 10-07-11)

 

2011 race winner:

Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet (137.181 mph, 2:58:27, 10-09-11)

 

Track qualifying record:

Matt Kenseth, Ford (180.856 mph, 29.858 sec., 10-08-05)

 

Track race record:

Denny Hamlin, Toyota (144.122 mph, 02:46:44, 4-22-12)

 

NASCAR in Kansas

·         There have been 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Kansas, all at Kansas Speedway. The only other Kansas track to hold a NASCAR national series race was Heartland Park in Topeka, which hosted five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races from 1995-99.

·         16 drivers in NASCAR’s three national series (all-time) have their home state recorded as Kansas, including Jim Roper who won the very first NASCAR Sprint Cup race – Charlotte in 1949.

·         There have been two race winners in the top three NASCAR national series from Kansas:

Driver	NSCS	NNS	NCWTS
Clint Bowyer	8	8	3
Jim Roper	1	0	0

 

DRIVER-SPECIFIC STATISTICS AT KANSAS

 

1 - Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 98.3

2012 Rundown

·         Five wins, 12 top fives, 19 top 10s

·         Average finish of 10.5

·         Led 18 races for 642 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         One win, two top fives, two top 10s

·         Average finish of 10.2 in five races

·         Average Running Position of 12.7, seventh-best

·         Driver Rating of 90.7, ninth-best

 

2 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 109.1

2012 Rundown

·         Three wins, 16 top fives, 21 top 10s; two poles

·         Average finish of 10.4

·         Led 22 races for 1,314 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         Two wins, five top fives, 10 top 10s; three poles

·         Average finish of 7.9 in 12 races

·         Average Running Position of 6.8, second-best

·         Series-best Driver Rating of 120.7

·         Series-high 373 Fastest Laps Run

·         645 Green Flag Passes, ninth-most

·         Series-best Average Green Flag Speed of 162.892 mph

·         2,145 Laps in the Top 15 (91.2%), second-most

·         Series-high 425 Quality Passes

 

3 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Freight Toyota)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 103.0

2012 Rundown

·         Five wins, 13 top fives, 16 top 10s; three poles

·         Average finish of 11.9

·         Led 22 races for 1,168 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         One win, three top fives, three top 10s

·         Average finish of 14.1 in nine races

·         Average Running Position of 14.4, 11th-best

·         Driver Rating of 89.9, 11th-best

·         68 Fastest Laps Run, 12th-most

·         614 Green Flag Passes, 11th-most

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 161.921 mph, eighth-fastest

·         1,589 Laps in the Top 15 (67.6%), eighth-most

·         342 Quality Passes, seventh-most

 

4 - Clint Bowyer (No. 15 5-hour Energy Benefiting Avon Foundation for Women Toyota)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 94.0

2012 Rundown

·         Three wins, eight top fives, 19 top 10s

·         Average finish of 11.2

·         Led 11 races for 229 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         One top five, three top 10s

·         Average finish of 15.0 in eight races

·         Average Running Position of 17.3, 16th-best

·         Driver Rating of 85.7, 15th-best

 

5 - Kasey Kahne (No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 94.8

2012 Rundown

·         Two wins, nine top fives, 16 top 10s; three poles

·         Average finish of 13.4

·         Led 9 races for 262 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         One top five, four top 10s; two poles

·         Average finish of 16.1 in 10 races

·         Average Running Position of 15.1, 13th-best

·         Driver Rating of 86.9, 13th-best

·         87 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-most

·         670 Green Flag Passes, sixth-most

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 161.746 mph, 12th-fastest

·         1,391 Laps in the Top 15 (59.2%), 11th-most

·         286 Quality Passes, 11th-most

 

6 - Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M/Sherwin Williams Ford)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 101.7

2012 Rundown

·         Two wins, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s; three poles

·         Average finish of 9.9

·         Led 16 races for 721 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         Two wins, seven top fives, nine top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 8.0 in 12 races

·         Series-best Average Running Position of 6.7

·         Driver Rating of 116.3, second-best

·         194 Fastest Laps Run, second-most

·         601 Green Flag Passes, 12th-most

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 162.622 mph, second-fastest

·         Series-high 2,208 Laps in the Top 15 (93.9%)

·         406 Quality Passes, second-most

 

7 - Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 96.7

2012 Rundown

·         Six top fives, 17 top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 11.3

·         Led 11 races for 423 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         One top five, one top 10

·         Average finish of 23.3 in eight races

·         Average Running Position of 14.3, 10th-best

·         Driver Rating of 88.4, 12th-best

·         102 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-most

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 161.933 mph, seventh-fastest

 

8 - Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 87.6

2012 Rundown

·         Three wins, 10 top fives, 14 top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 13.5

·         Led 14 races for 420 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         Two wins, five top fives, eight top 10s

·         Average finish of 12.2 in 13 races

·         Average Running Position of 9.6, fourth-best

·         Driver Rating of 102.9, third-best

·         137 Fastest Laps Run, third-most

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 162.254 mph, fourth-fastest

·         1,857 Laps in the Top 15 (79.0%), fourth-most

·         374 Quality Passes, fourth-most

 

9 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 96.8

2012 Rundown

·         One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s; two poles

·         Average finish of 14.4

·         Led 20 races for 460 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         Two wins, eight top fives, nine top 10s

·         Average finish of 11.1 in 13 races

·         Average Running Position of 8.8, third-best

·         Driver Rating of 102.2, fifth-best

·         99 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 162.353 mph, third-fastest

·         2,105 Laps in the Top 15 (89.5%), third-most

·         390 Quality Passes, third-most

 

10 - Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.9

2012 Rundown

·         Four top fives, 11 top 10s

·         Average finish of 12.1

·         Led 8 races for 241 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         One top five, six top 10s

·         Average finish of 13.0 in 13 races

·         Average Running Position of 12.8, eighth-best

·         Driver Rating of 92.1, seventh-best

·         79 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most

·         Series-high 721 Green Flag Passes

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 161.894 mph, ninth-fastest

·         1,591 Laps in the Top 15 (67.7%), seventh-most

·         331 Quality Passes, eighth-most

 

11 - Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Zest Ford)

·         Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.2

2012 Rundown

·         Two wins, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 11.3

·         Led 19 races for 398 laps

Kansas Speedway Outlook:

·         Four top fives, seven top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 16.9 in 13 races

·         Average Running Position of 10.6, fifth-best

·         Driver Rating of 102.4, fourth-best

·         119 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most

·         Average Green Flag Speed of 162.030 mph, fifth-fastest

·         1,852 Laps in the Top 15 (78.8%), fifth-most

 

Additional Statistically Notable Drivers at Kansas:

 

Kurt Busch (No. 78 Furniture Row/Farm American Chevrolet)

·         Three top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 17.6

·         Average Running Position of 14.5, 12th-best

·         Driver Rating of 90.3, 10th-best

·         111 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-most

 

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Fastenal Ford)

·         Four top fives, eight top 10s

·         Average finish of 10.5

·         Average Running Position of 12.9, ninth-best

·         Driver Rating of 96.2, sixth-best

·         115 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most

·         366 Quality Passes, fifth-most

 

Mark Martin (No. 55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota)

·         One win, two top fives, five top 10s; one pole

·         Average finish of 14.6

·         Average Running Position of 12.6, sixth-best

·         Driver Rating of 91.9, eighth-best

·         1,601 Laps in the Top 15 (68.1%), sixth-most

 

 

 

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2012 Top 12 at Kansas Speedway

	Driver	Races	Poles	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	DNFs	Average Finish	Driver Rating
1	Brad Keselowski	5	0	1	2	2	0	10.2	90.7
2	Jimmie Johnson	12	3	2	5	10	1	7.9	120.7
3	Denny Hamlin	9	0	1	3	3	0	14.1	89.9
4	Clint Bowyer	8	0	0	1	3	1	15.0	85.7
5	Kasey Kahne	10	2	0	1	4	1	16.1	86.9
6	Greg Biffle	12	1	2	7	9	1	8.0	116.3
7	Martin Truex Jr.	8	0	0	1	1	1	23.3	88.4
8	Tony Stewart	13	0	2	5	8	1	12.2	102.9
9	Jeff Gordon	13	0	2	8	9	2	11.1	102.2
10	Kevin Harvick	13	0	0	1	6	1	13.0	92.1
11	Matt Kenseth	13	1	0	4	7	2	16.9	102.4
12	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	13	1	0	1	6	2	16.5	86.4

* – Based on last seven races at Kansas Speedway.