KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are back at the Kansas Speedway, a track that is a favorite among drivers and gave fans the closest finish in NASCAR history in the spring when Kyle Larson beat out Chris Buescher by .001 seconds.
Former driver Carl Edwards said that the track provides unique challenges that lead to good racing.
“When I was driving here, these mile-and-a-half tracks, they tested every part of your team,” Edwards said.
“You needed a great engine, a great aero package, a great crew chief, the driver had to do their job, I believe that’s still the truth.”
Fans who spoke with FOX4 agreed.
“It’s slick,” said NASCAR fan Mike Lowry.
“Every turn is really slick and at the same time, it’s a high-speed race. You’re going to be going 3, 4 or even 5 wide, and you got to able to know exactly what the car is doing.”
In Sunday’s race, there were 10 different caution flags that came out and a track record 30 different lead changes during the race, showing just how tricky it can be to win at the speedway.
Fans showed up by the thousands to watch the action on track.
“Last time I was here, Logano won,” said one young race fan.
“There were so many wrecks I couldn’t even count!”
Other fans have been to the speedway before too.
“It’s really nice, we love the campgrounds and have a lot of fun,” said one fan who traveled from Minnesota.
“We come down twice a year!”
It’s those fans that NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Carl Edwards remembers from his time behind the wheel.
“This is the only place in the history of my career where I could hear the crowd over the sound of the engines,” Edwards remembered.
“At that time, we were fortunate enough to win the truck race here. So, Kansas Speedway is a special place.”