The upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race on Sept. 11 has been named the Hollywood Casino 400 presented by Barstool Sportsbook.
The name reflects the opening of the Barstool Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino, just as sports wagering is opening in Kansas. A soft launch for sports wagering was held last week, with sports wagering officially moving into high gear now.
Hollywood Casino opened Barstool Sportsbook under its Turn 2 Sports Bar and Restaurant. Offerings will consist of kiosks, betting windows, odds boards, TVs and a temporary bar. That will provide a place for fans to wager on NASCAR and all the other sports that will be in action during race weekend, according to a spokesman.
Long term, Hollywood Casino plans a permanent Barstool Sportsbook next year that will include a full restaurant, field house games and outdoor accessibility to the giant patio that overlooks Kansas Speedway.
The Hollywood Casino 400 presented by Barstool Sportsbook is the highlight of race weekend at Kansas Speedway.
Action begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ Kansas Lottery 200, the final race of the opening round of the Camping World Truck Series playoffs. That sets the table for a Saturday doubleheader that includes the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Kansas Lottery 300.
And then on Sunday, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will compete in the second race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, as drivers vie to advance into the Round of 12 with a win. Kurt Busch won the May race at Kansas Speedway driving a Toyota Camry TRD co-owned by Denny Hamlin and basketball hall of famer Michael Jordan.
The left rear tires of several race cars flattened during Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Among those suffering flat left rear tires during the race was Chase Elliott, Cup Series points leader. Tires also went flat during a previous race at Darlington Speedway. The Kansas Speedway racetrack was dry at 2 p.m. Sunday, although there was heavy rain earlier in the day. (Fan photo)Daniel Suarez, car No. 99, was another victim of a flat left rear tire during the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Kansas Speedway. He was in the top five when the tire went flat. (Fan photo)Christopher Bell, car No. 20, also suffered a flat left rear tire at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. Martin Truex also had a flat tire that day. (Fan photo)
Kurt Busch had just the slimmest of leads over Kyle Larson as they came down the front stretch on lap 259 of the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. Busch went on to win the race, and Larson finished second. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Kurt Busch used a family connection and then a sly move to take the lead in the AdventHealth 400 with eight laps remaining. The veteran driver went on to take the checkered flag, his 34th win but only the first with 23XI Racing, a new team started last year by co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
Though Busch led at the end of stage 2, a slow pit stop under caution on lap 234 dropped him into third place behind his brother Kyle Busch, with Kyle Larson in the lead.
After Kyle Busch made an attempt to pass Larson and conceded his car didn’t have enough pace, he let Kurt move up to second and try his luck.
Kurt had taken the measure of Larson on a earlier pass and was sheltering his tires for a late-race move. Judging that Larson would be weakest at turn 2, he made his move there and had the speed and grip to make it stick.
Once in clean air, Busch’s Toyota was at its strongest and got well clear of Larson by the last lap.
As Busch described it afterwards, “It all unfolded perfectly where I was able to make the move and not lose momentum and break the draft and bring our Toyota home to victory lane.”
Larson finished second. Kyle Busch finished third and won stage 1. Denny Hamlin finished fourth, and Christopher Bell, who qualified with the fastest time, led 37 laps and finished fifth.
Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner was in attendance and reflected on the event before the race.
“This is awesome, having people from all over the country come and converge on Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. It really highlights how awesome our community is,” the mayor said.
“Really, you couldn’t ask for a better venue, when you talk about NASCAR and the longstanding partnership Wyandotte County’s had.”
“I’m optimistic about the future,” Garner added. “This is a good example of the value of positive partnerships we have with entities such as NASCAR.”
NASCAR racing returns to Kansas Speedway with the Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 on Sept. 10 and the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 on Sept. 11.
Kurt Busch celebrated with his team in victory lane after the race. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner got an embrace from driver Bubba Wallace during pre-race introductions. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Morning storms cleared in time for an afternoon of racing action at Kansas Speedway. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Kurt Busch led Kyle Busch around turn 4. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Kurt Busch greeted Sen. Roger Marshall before the race. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Christopher Bell’s pit crew sprinted to their stations during a pit stop. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)A fan looked out at the speedway stands from the infield. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Daniel Suarez’s Chevrolet showed some wear and tear from hitting the wall on lap 63. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)The base color guard from Whiteman Air Force Base presented the colors before the race. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Kurt Busch, wearing pants that matched his race car, walked to pit road before the race. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Friends enjoyed the warm weather and racing action from the Kansas Speedway stands. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Ross Chastain raced for the title sponsor in the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Kurt Busch crossed the finish line under the checkered flag for the race win. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Austin Cindric and Chase Elliott raced wheel to wheel around turn 4. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
