FYI WIRZ: NASCAR's Typical Track Up Next at Kansas Speedway

NASCAR returns to the most common racetrack on the circuit, the 1.5-mile oval, for the SpongeBob SquarePants 400 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, on May 9. The Saturday night race begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on the tri-oval track with 20-degree banking.

NASCAR has eight 1.5-mile tracks of 23 that are commonly called "cookie cutter," even though each of those tracks has differences that cause race car maneuvering to vary.

Six top drivers presently situated within the Chase cutoff shared their thoughts about Kansas. Four need a win to solidify their contender position.

The point leader, Kevin Harvick, pointed out the significance of NASCAR’s typical tracks. 

“The 1.5-mile racetracks dominate the schedule,” he said. “Especially when you get into the Chase and end the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway, another 1.5-mile track.”

Harvick defined the significance of HMS and the common tracks.

“That’s a little bit different,” he added. “But if you’re going to get to that point, you’re going to have to be successful on that style of racetrack. Kansas, Charlotte, Chicago—those types of racetracks are really where you need to make hay.”

Matt Kenseth got specific about the Kansas contest. 

“Kansas is finally starting to change and widen out a bit since they repaved it,” he said. “It’s been aero-sensitive. The surface is starting to wear in. The biggest challenge with Kansas is that we want the grove to move up so that you have some room to pass.” 

Martin Truex Jr. expressed his fondness for the speedway.

“I love Kansas Speedway,” Truex said. “I don’t know what it is about the track; it’s not much different than any other mile-and-a-half track, but something about the way the corners are laid out there seems to fit my style.”

Kasey Kahne added some details for fans to ponder. 

“Since the repave, it seems to get better each trip,” he said. “We are able to move around from the top to the bottom. The track is fast, and our cars get around pretty good, so it puts on a good show for the fans.”

Paul Menard emphasized what fans can expect. 

"Kansas is a repaved track, so it's extremely fast,” he said. “Since it's a night race, it will be faster than during the day. I enjoy night racing; it adds a level of excitement. You can see flames from the exhaust and sparks under the car. Makes it cool for the fans.”

Jeff Gordon talked about his history at the speedway. 

“Kansas is a great track for us, and it has been ever since it opened up,” he said. “I like the transitions from the straightaways to the corners. That track just ‘suits’ me as a driver. I just feel comfortable there.”

Credit: Dwight Drum

Fans without tickets can tune in to Fox Sports 1 to catch the action at night. All fans can apply the significance of driver comments raised here about Kansas to the fast results from green to checkered flag.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained firsthand or from official release materials provided by sanction and team representatives.