The NASCAR Cup Series is heading to Kansas Speedway this weekend for the AdventHelath 400.
The track has proven to have the room for the drivers to race hard and fast. However, it has also proven to have the room to wreck and collect other cars in the process. The teams and drivers are starting to get a better feel for the latest version of the Next Gen car. That doesn’t mean they have it completely figured out. Will that make some teams push past the capabilities of the car?
Here is the data the teams will be facing at the track and in the race.
Kansas Speedway Data
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 10 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,685 feet
Backstretch Length: 2,207 feet
AdventHelath 400 Data
Season Race #: 13 of 36 (05-15-22)
Race Length: 267 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 Length: 80 laps
Stage 2 Length: 85 laps
Final Stage Length: 102 laps
These are the active drivers that have performed well overall in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway during their careers.
Kevin Harvick – 109.9
Martin Truex Jr. – 100.4
Chase Elliott – 100.2
Kyle Larson – 99.9
Ryan Blaney – 95.1
Greg Biffle – 94.5
Brad Keselowski – 94.0
Kyle Busch – 92.9
Denny Hamlin – 92.0
Kurt Busch – 88.6
* – Based on last 28 races at Kansas Speedway (2005 – 2021)
These active drivers have won at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
| Denny Hamlin | 3 Wins | 2020, 2019, 2012 |
| Joey Logano | 3 Wins | 2020, 2015, 2014 |
| Kevin Harvick | 3 Wins | 2018, 2016, 2013 |
| Kyle Busch | 2 Wins | 2021, 2016 |
| Brad Keselowski | 2 Wins | 2019, 2011 |
| Martin Truex Jr | 2 Wins | 2017 sweep |
| Kyle Larson | 1 Win | 2021 |
| Chase Elliott | 1 Win | 2018 |
What kind of race will we see?
Will the drivers race more conservatively to make sure they don’t wreck? That would possibly help if they are looking for a decent points day.
Will they get aggressive near the end … middle … or right from the start? That would be the choice if they want to score points in the stages and win the race.
I’m betting on the aggression. That’s just the mentality of a race car driver. It is also the preferred path to the “win and you’re in” scenario for the post-season.
We will see what does happen Sunday, May15th starting at 2 p.m. central time (3 p.m. eastern time) in the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway.
By: Buck Stevens
