Category: Kansas Speedway

Academy Sports to donate 48 bikes and helmets to youth in honor of Jimmie Johnson’s final ride at Speedway

Jimmie Johnson has made a career of winning races and championships.

The driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports has compiled 83 career NASCAR Cup Series wins and seven Cup Series championships, tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. for the most titles in NASCAR history. Off the track, he has carved a niche in the world of physical fitness, having competed in several triathlons as well as the 2019 Boston Marathon.

This Sunday, Johnson will be making his final appearance at Kansas Speedway as a full-time Cup Series driver. In 28 career Cup Series starts at Kansas, Johnson has finished in the top-10 on 19 occasions. This includes victories in 2008, 2011 (October) and 2015 (May).

In honor of his immense contributions to NASCAR and his passion for cycling, Academy Sports + Outdoors will be donating 48 bikes and helmets to area youth, a group which will be comprised of pediatric patients at The University of Kansas Health System, the official health care provider of Kansas Speedway.

“Jimmie Johnson is the epitome of what a sports figure should be about,” said Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren, in a news release. “He has represented NASCAR with utmost class in everything he did on the track and away from it. Not only did he join two NASCAR legends in winning an astounding seven championships, but he also established a new benchmark for fitness in our sport. We appreciate the support from Academy Sports + Outdoors and The University of Kansas Health System to honor Jimmie in a unique way that will have a meaningful impact in the community.”

“I’m truly honored by this gift from Kansas Speedway,” Johnson said. “Over my career, I’ve enjoyed so much success on track and have personal ties to the community with the Herzog family. Cycling has become such a passion of mine so thanks to Academy for the bike donation – that will really make a difference. I’ve enjoyed cycling around the Speedway over the years and will miss racing there twice a year. I’m humbled by this gift and appreciative for the support.”

Johnson’s roots in NASCAR have a deep connection with the Kansas City Metropolitan area. From 1999-2001 – when Johnson was first starting off in the sport – he drove the No. 92 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Herzog Motorsports. The owner of that team was the late William Herzog and it was based out of St. Joseph, Missouri. Johnson competed in 69 races with the team before moving on to the Cup Series and Hendrick in 2002. He recorded one win with Herzog (at Chicago, 7/14/01) and posted a sixth-place finish in the first-ever Xfinity Series race at Kansas Speedway (9/29/01).

“This is an extremely generous donation, especially during these uncertain times,” said Dr. Stephen Lauer, pediatrics, at The University of Kansas Health System. “It will brighten the day for many of our pediatric patients and also provide them with the proper equipment these children need for necessary exercise. The efforts on the part of Jimmie Johnson, Kansas Speedway and Academy Sports + Outdoors is a terrific example of how teamwork can make a dream become reality.”

“We have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with Kansas Speedway for many years, and it’s these types of philanthropic efforts that keep the partnership strong, added Charles Rozanski, vice president for orthopedics and sports medicine at The University of Kansas Health System.

Only the Sunday Sprint Cup Series race will have fans in attendance, and they will be limited numbers of fans.

The schedule for Kansas Speedway’s 2020 fall NASCAR weekend:


Friday, Oct. 16: ARCA Menards Series Speediatrics 150 presented by 7:30 p.m. (FS1 or FS2)
The NASCAR Foundation (150 miles)
Saturday, Oct. 17: NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series Clean Harbors 200 (200 miles) 3 p.m. (FOX)
Saturday, Oct. 17: NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 (300 miles) 6 p.m. (NBCSN)
Sunday, Oct. 18: NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 (400 miles) 1:30 p.m. (NBC)

  • Story from Kansas Speedway

Kansas Speedway to have limited number of fans for Oct. 18 race

The Kansas Speedway announced Wednesday on its website that it would have a limited number of fans at its NASCAR Cup Series race Oct. 18.

The race will be run with safety protocols and procedures in place, according to a news release.

Grandstand seating and select campgrounds will be available, while infield access will be restricted to essential industry personnel, according to the announcement.

The Hollywood Casino 400 starts at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Kansas Speedway, and will be the first in the round of eight in the Cup Series playoffs, the news release stated.

“I know the drivers feed off the excitement of having the fans on hand, and we are enthusiastic for the opportunity to welcome them back to the track, offering a safe, healthy environment for everyone,” Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren said in a statement.

Fans who have already purchased tickets to the race may be reseated to new locations to ensure social distancing, with lower ticket pricing applied, according to the news release.

All guests will be temperature screened and will be asked questions about health before entering the racetrack, and will maintain 6 feet of social distancing, the news release stated. Guests who are age 3 and older will be required to wear face coverings, according to the release.

For this race, re-entry, tailgating and coolers will not be permitted. Clear bags up to 18 inches by 18 inches by 14 inches will be allowed. Concessions will have limited grab-and-go items.

Guests will be directed to parking lots with more space between visitors. Also, there will be an entry and exit procedure to prevent people from being concentrated together.

Camping will be allowed in Turn 1, Turn 3, Turn 4 and backstretch terraces. Outside camping will be limited to select campgrounds. Infield and tent camping will not be available at this event.

The Oct. 18 race will be carried on NBC.

Other races in October at the Kansas Speedway include the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series Kansas 200 at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; the ARCA Menards Series Championship Kansas 150 at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; and the NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.

For more information, see www.kansasspeedway.com.

New $350 million development announced for Kansas Speedway area in Wyandotte County

A new $350 million development bringing nearly 2,000 jobs was announced today for the Kansas Speedway area, at 118th and State Avenue in Wyandotte County.

Urban Outfitters, after evaluating markets across the central United States, selected Wyandotte County for the home for its new ecommerce direct fulfillment center, said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. He made the announcement during a Zoom news conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Urban Outfitters has about 200 stores nationwide, Cowden said. The company, with headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will use the new URBN distribution and fulfillment center as a logistics node for the general merchandise and consumer products Urban Outfitters company.

The new development will be an 880,000-square-foot multi-channel distribution center, according to the announcement. There will be 60,000 square feet of office space. Ground will be broken in the fall, and it may begin operating in early 2022.

Gov. Laura Kelly, Mayor David Alvey, NASCAR Vice President Lesa Kennedy, and several other officials participated in the Zoom announcement.

Gov. Kelly said this will be a “transformational project for the state.”

She said Urban Outfitters saw the value in a central location and strong infrastructure. They also found out more about what makes Kansas special – the people, she said. The Kansas work ethic is unmatched anywhere, the governor said.

Mayor Alvey said he was deeply impressed by the company’s vision.

“Urban is the kind of community business partner that we need to attract as we continue to grow our tax base, as we try to provide better and more services to all of our neighborhoods throughout Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County,” Mayor Alvey said.

Urban has committed to a long-term investment, Mayor Alvey said, and will strive to hire 35 percent of its workforce from Wyandotte County, he said. He also said the company is committed to using minority and women-owned businesses in the construction of the project, and will work with the Unified Government to provide transit services to employees. They also will provide child care solutions for employees, he said.

A workforce partnership with Kansas City Kansas Community College is planned.

Mayor Alvey said the company has committed to paying a wage of $18 an hour, which is a significant improvement on the median wage in Wyandotte County.

“We all know the very serious economic challenge that the COVID pandemic presents to all of us,” Mayor Alvey said. But they continue to see new development in Kansas City, Kansas, and the area.

He said they expect $270,000 in additional revenues for the city of Kansas City, Kansas, from this project, which is very significant for the community. Also, Bonner Springs school district would receive $200,000 to $220,000 a year, which is also significant, he said.

He thanked state officials, along with economic development officials, for their work on the project.

Incentives were not announced today, and they are currently working with the company on them, the mayor said in answer to a question at the news conference.

Lesa Kennedy, executive vice president of NASCAR, said they joined with Hillwood Development to find the best and highest uses for land. This property is “absolutely perfect” to do a deal with Urban, according to Kennedy.

Todd Platt, CEO of Hillwood Development of Ft. Worth, Texas, said Urban Outfitters is a strong retail company. He believes there will be a lot more investment in this community in the future. Ross Perot Jr. is chairman.

David Ziel, chief development officer at Urban Outfitters, said it will be a complex facility requiring a talented workforce to run it. He said they have been working on this project for 10 months.

“People first is the No. 1 driver of this decision,” Ziel said. “Kansas wins on the quality of the people.”