Category: Kansas Speedway

Driver lends helping hand at KCK charity

As Alex Bowman was touring the Giving the Basics warehouse on Oct. 9, he saw carts with boxes of products on them, and his first question was one typical of a race car driver, “Can we race these?”

After the tour, Bowman was put to work helping load boxes of essential need products into vehicles that were headed to one of the many local school districts who request them so students can have the basics.

As part of their mission, Giving the Basics provides personal care products to 350 schools and over 140 organizations. Bowman also helped sort and box products that will go out to over 250,000 people each month.

Between his “work” duties, Bowman took some time to talk about the upcoming Kansas Speedway race.

“I’m excited to get back to Kansas Speedway. I had a good run in May (where he finished second) and this has been a fun track to come to,” he said. “Since the repave, I don’t know what they used but the track keeps widening out and makes for great racing. Also, with Kansas being an elimination race, fans are going to see a lot of action on the track.”

Bowman and the rest of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series return to Kansas Speedway on Oct. 20 for the Hollywood Casino 400.

Kansas Speedway, a premier motorsports facility in the Midwest, holds two NASCAR race weekends a year, in addition to hosting approximately 200 other events throughout the year. Kansas Speedway’s first race weekend of the season is in May with the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series under the lights. In the fall, the NASCAR playoffs return in with the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. For ticket information, call 866-460-RACE (7223) or log onto www.kansaspeedway.com. 

General parking is free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.

  • Story from Kelly Hale, director of public relations, Kansas Speedway

Grand marshal named for Hollywood Casino 400

Jensen Ackles, who currently stars on the CW’s longest-running drama (15 years), “Supernatural,” has been tabbed to say the most famous words in motorsports, “Drivers, start your engines,” on Sunday, Oct. 20, prior to the Hollywood Casino 400 in Kansas City, Kansas.

It will be the second round elimination race for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Ackles starred in the 2009 remake of Patrick Lussier’s 1981 slasher film, “My Bloody Valentine” 3-D. Additionally, he starred in David Winkler’s “Devour” and David McKay’s independent romantic comedy, “Ten Inch Hero.” Previous television roles include “Smallville,” “Dark Angel,” and “Dawson’s Creek.” And, Ackles starred in the mini-series, “Blonde” opposite Patrick Dempsey and Poppy Montgomery.

The Texan began his acting career in 1997 on “Days of Our Lives,” where he received three Daytime Emmy nominations and won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Male Newcomer in 1998 for his role as Eric Roman Brady.

Ackles, along with his wife, are active in several organizations that help a variety of causes throughout the country. Since 2011, they have been active with the Dallas Down Syndrome Guild, due to a personal family connection.

They are also on the board, and have partnered with, Random Acts, an organization founded by his co-star Misha Collins. The organization aims to the change the world by spreading positivity in communities everywhere. The Ackles have partnered with the organization to create a platform that helps and supports members of the “Supernatural” family – specifically those who are suffering from mental health issues.

The Ackles have also raised donations for Hurricane Harvey victims, with a matching donation by the CW. They are also strong supporters of Thinkery Austin, an evolution of Austin Children’s Museum where families can be side-by-side exploring science, technology, engineering, art and math. The couple also supports The Birthday Party Project, which throws birthday parties for children in homeless shelters. They also self-fund a Donor Advise Fund, which directs funding to other charity organizations based on interest and need.

Kansas Speedway, a premier motorsports facility in the Midwest, holds two NASCAR race weekends a year, in addition to hosting approximately 200 other events throughout the year. Kansas Speedway’s first race weekend of the season is in May with the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series under the lights. In the fall, the NASCAR playoffs return in with the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. To purchase tickets, call 866-460-RACE (7223) or log onto www.kansaspeedway.com.

General parking is free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.

Fans can follow Kansas Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kansasspeedway, Twitter (@kansasspeedway), Instagram (kansasspeedway) and Snapchat (kansasspeedway).

  • Information from Kelly Hale, Kansas Speedway

Kansas Speedway offers upgrades to fan experiences

With the Kansas Speedway race weekend coming up Oct. 18-20, some upgrades to fans’ weekends are available.

Those who are interested in camping at Kansas Speedway will have a limited number of camping spots available for the race weekend, including on the infield and tent camping, according to a spokesman for the Speedway.

On Oct. 20, a special experience for fans, the Ignition Garage, will be available for an additional charge. It will include questions and answers with NASCAR Cup series drivers.

Another extra for fans is the VIP Experience on Oct. 20, which includes a private reception in the president’s suite to start the day, a guided tour of the NASCAR Cup series garage by Glenn Jarrett, a meet-and-greet with NASCAR lead analyst Rusty Wallace for MRN, and a seat in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series driver-crew chief meeting.

Individual suite tickets are currently on sale.

And Kansas Speedway also is offering Beyond the Checkered hospitality event on Oct. 20 that includes question-and-answer sessions with women from the NASCAR industry and female executives who are based in Kansas City.

And those who want to see the Casey Donahew pre-race concert and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver introductions from the infield tri-oval may purchase pre-race passes.

Fans may purchase any of these experiences by calling 866-460-RACE (7223), online at www.kansasspeedway.com/tickets and at the Kansas Speedway Ticket Office Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.