NASCAR Cup - Kansas II

The Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway represents the second NASCAR Cup Series race of the season at this Kansas City facility. Known as Kansas II on the schedule, this race holds significant importance as a playoff event. The competition spans 267 laps across 400 miles on the 1.5-mile tri-oval circuit. Kansas Speedway provides teams and drivers with a challenging intermediate track that tests both car setup and driver skill.

Kansas Speedway Circuit Characteristics

Kansas Speedway features a 1.5-mile asphalt tri-oval configuration located in Kansas City, Kansas. The track incorporates progressive banking in its four turns, with angles ranging from 17 to 20 degrees. This variable banking creates multiple racing grooves and allows different driving lines through the corners. The frontstretch has banking between 9 and 11 degrees, while the backstretch sits at 5 degrees. The facility accommodates 48,000 spectators and sits adjacent to the Hollywood Casino. The track opened in 2001 and underwent major renovations in 2011-2012, which included repaving and the addition of progressive banking.

NASCAR Cup Series Competitors

The Kansas II race features the full NASCAR Cup Series field of drivers and teams. Manufacturers Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota compete at Kansas Speedway with their respective teams. The 2026 season includes the introduction of Chevrolet's new ZL1 body style for its race cars. Denny Hamlin holds the track record with four NASCAR Cup Series victories at Kansas Speedway. Other successful drivers at this circuit include Joey Logano and Kyle Larson, who have each secured multiple wins at the facility.

Technical Specifications for 2026

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season introduces mandatory A-post flaps on all competition vehicles. These flaps mount along the sides of the windshield and work with existing roof flaps to prevent cars from becoming airborne during spins. Kansas Speedway, as a 1.5-mile intermediate oval, operates under the standard intermediate track rules package. Tracks shorter than 1.5 miles receive increased engine output of 750 horsepower and a different aerodynamic package, but Kansas maintains its specific configuration suited for intermediate speedways.

Track History and Playoff Context

Kansas Speedway broke ground on May 25, 1999, and opened on June 2, 2001. The NASCAR Cup Series held its first race at the track on September 30, 2001, with Jeff Gordon claiming victory. Since 2011, Kansas Speedway has hosted two NASCAR Cup Series races each year. The fall race, known as Kansas II, serves as a playoff event and carries additional weight for championship-contending teams. The 2011-2012 renovations included lighting installation that enables night racing capabilities.

Notable Facts About Kansas Speedway

The Hollywood Casino opened adjacent to Kansas Speedway in 2012, adding entertainment options for race attendees. The track has produced memorable finishes throughout its history, including an extremely close 0.001-second margin of victory in a recent spring race. Kansas has a connection to NASCAR history through Jim Roper, a Kansas native who won the first NASCAR Strictly Stock Division race on June 19, 1949. The facility includes an infield road course added in 2012, though the NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas utilize only the tri-oval layout.

Kansas II serves as a critical juncture in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff battle. The 1.5-mile configuration demands precise handling and consistent lap times. Teams must balance speed with tire management across the race distance. The progressive banking allows multiple racing lanes, which can lead to side-by-side battles throughout the field. This nascar-cup race at Kansas Speedway continues to deliver competitive action as drivers pursue playoff advancement and race victories.