Trucks, equipment stolen from Kansas Speedway; reward offered

Kansas Speedway is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the earliest possible identification and arrest of the person or persons responsible for theft of equipment and vehicles last week, according to a spokesman.

Two trucks, a paint trailer, electrical distribution cables, small hand tools, air hoses, a safety harness, multiple paint sprayers and a scooter were stolen, the spokesman stated. The ignition lock of another truck was damaged.

One truck has been recovered, according to the spokesman. The theft occurred at 1:22 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Kansas Speedway maintenance building, the spokesman stated. The speedway is near I-70 and I-435 in Kansas City, Kansas.

The truck that has not been recovered is a red 2001 Ford F250 4×4, with a Kansas Speedway logo on the door and a Ford Racing logo on the tailgate, the spokesman stated.

“I ask anyone that has any knowledge about this theft to please contact the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department immediately,” Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren said, in a news release. “I’m also asking for everyone to keep their eyes open in case anyone attempts to sell any of these items and to contact the police immediately.”

Tips can be called into the Crime Stoppers hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.kccrimestoppers.com by clicking on the Submit a Tip button.

It is off-season at the Kansas Speedway, where the first race this year will be held May 11-12 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. For more racing information, visit www.kansasspeedway.com/.

More photos from the Hollywood Casino 400 race

Martin Truex Jr. won the Hollywood Casino 400 race Sunday at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)

Fan photos by Steve Rupert

Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)
Racing action from Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Fan photo)

Truex takes Hollywood Casino 400

Martin Truex Jr. did a burnout in front of the grandstands at the Kansas Speedway this afternoon after winning the Hollywood Casino 400. (Photo from Kansas Speedway)
Martin Truex Jr. celebrated on Victory Lane after winning the Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo from Kansas Speedway)

Martin Truex Jr., the reigning Go Bowling 400 champion, did it again at Kansas Speedway Sunday evening, winning the Hollywood Casino 400 and becoming the first NASCAR driver to win both Kansas Speedway Cup series races in a single year.

After starting on the pole, he led 91 laps en route to his second career Kansas victory.

Truex battled back from a restart violation, which sent him to the back of the pack, and a loose wheel that forced him to make an unscheduled pit stop. The missteps proved tso be no match for Truex, who continues to lead the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoff standings.

The win was an emotional one for the Furniture Row Racing team after the loss of crew member James Watson to a heart attack Saturday night.

“James was a friend to everyone and a good worker. He worked on both the 77 and the 78; his hands were on the 78 yesterday preparing it for today. It’s amazing to win this for him and his family,” said Joe Garone, president of Furniture Row Racing.

Truex’s Go Bowling 400 win in May was his first victory at Kansas Speedway and his second of the 2017 season. With the Hollywood Casino 400 win, Truex has now secured seven Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins, the most of any driver in the series.

– Story from Kansas Speedway