Kansas speedway is a 1.5-mile tri-oval that provides banking of 15 degrees in the turns, 10.4 degrees in the front stretch, and 5 degrees in the back stretch. The track pavement width is 55 feet across. Kansas and Chicago are a lot alike if you looking to compare 1.5-mile tracks. Kansas is a little different because of its pavement, and how its surface has started to wear out. Kansas Speedway tends to have a lack of grip and is considerably slick.
The grip level or lack thereof makes it difficult for the drivers to hook the bottom in turns three and four. It is also equally as hard to get up top to find the grip that gains the speed and momentum around the track. Long green flag runs are common here. It will be important to have a good balance on new tires in order to have a good car for the duration of a long run.
The 2011 season was the first season that the track hosted two Cup races. Those races were held in June and October. This will be the first time that NASCAR’s premier division has made a stop at Kansas in the month of April. Normally, the Cup guys made their visit here during The Chase, much later in the year. This makes the practice sessions a little more important than normal, as the crew chiefs should face somewhat different track conditions than what they are accustomed to having here.
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