Guide to the Kansas Speedway

If you enjoy watching the best stock car drivers in the country bully it out for the chance to lead the pack under the checkered flag is the ultimate in downtime, the area might have the perfect destination for your ideal getaway. Among the many things to do in Kansas City is spending a day at the Kansas Speedway.

Getting there

Head west from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, across the Kansas state line, on Interstate 70 to find the Kansas Speedway (where I-70 intersects with Interstate 435, about 15 miles out). Tuck your vehicle into one of its 25,000 free parking spots before catching a tram to the raceway, a perfect option if you have little ones who aren’t up to the walk or if you have a lot to carry. If you’re into a whole weekend of racing—NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series, the Xfinity Series and the Camping World Truck Series usually take place Friday through Sunday.

What you can—and can't—bring

You can save some money by toting in your own adult beverages or soft drinks for the kids as long as the liquids aren’t in glass bottles or thermoses. You can bring in your own food, too, but you’re limited to one soft-sided cooler or bag per person, no larger than 14 by 14 by 14 inches. Don’t forget those stadium seat cushions, provided they’re metal-free. You’ll have to carry all your gear inside by hand because dollies aren’t allowed.

Settling in for the Races

The Kansas Speedway seats nearly 74,000 spectators. If you have a tolerance for the smell of exhaust and you remembered to bring your earplugs, you can watch the races at ground level. Otherwise, take your choice from among the upper levels of 30 rows of seating. The priciest views are high up in the speedway’s Club at Turns 1 and 4. Payment plans are available. If you arrive early, take a guided tour of the pit and garage—it’s included in some package deals.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience

The Kansas Speedway hosts NASCAR races in spring and fall, but you can still satisfy your need for speed if you visit at another time of the year. Sign up for the Richard Petty Driving Experience to get behind the wheel of a race car and put the pedal to the metal, up to 155 mph. An instructor accompanies you in the right seat, and you must be able to climb through the window to get behind the wheel—race cars don’t have doors. You’ll also need a valid driver’s license; driving suits are provided. Costs run anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars for the simplest packages up into the thousands for the “Experience of a Lifetime” plan where you get to drive a full 30 laps around the racetrack.

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