The NASCAR Cup Series is heading to Kansas Speedway for the first time this season for the AdventHealth 400, which has quickly become a fan favorite spot in the Midwest since it opened its doors in 2001. Fresh off a win at Dover, where he edged out Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin has matched William Byron with three wins apiece in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series. Despite Hamlin’s success, Larson is still leading the pack in the standings, holding a 15-point lead over Martin Truex Jr.
Just last year, Hamlin and Larson were neck and neck for the win at Kansas, ending in a bit of drama with Larson spinning out after a bump from Hamlin, who took the checkered flag. Will we see another nail-biter in Kansas this time around? And if you’re looking to catch all the action, where should you tune in? What’s the race schedule, and where can you snag tickets to see the race live? Read on to find out!
Everything you need to know about the Kansas Speedway races this weekend
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NASCAR’s packed weekend at Kansas Speedway kicks off on Friday, starting at 10 AM with the ARCA series hitting the track for open practice, wrapping up around 3 PM. If you’re keen on catching the up-and-comers, tune into Fox Sports 1 on Saturday at 2 PM ET for the ARCA Menards Series race, after their practice and qualifying earlier in the day at 10:25 AM.
The action doesn’t stop there. Saturday also features the NASCAR Truck Series with practice and qualifying beginning at 12:05 PM, all leading up to the 134-lap race firing up at 8 PM, also on Fox Sports 1. As for the big show, the NASCAR Xfinity Series takes a day off, heading straight into NASCAR Cup practice and qualifying late Saturday at 5:05 PM.
Cap off the weekend with the main event—the NASCAR Cup Series race—blazing off the starting line on Sunday, May 5, at 3 PM on Fox Sports 1. Make sure you’ve got your snacks and your spot on the couch ready! However, if you’re looking to chow down on a hamburger while catching the race live, swing by the Kansas Speedway website.
You’ll find everything from general tickets to special deals at https://www.kansasspeedway.com/spring-nascar-cup/. They’ve got options for youth tickets, group rates, travel packages, and some cool perks like military discounts from Geico, a weather protection program, ticket insurance, and even some exclusive experience packages. It’s all there to make your race day perfect!
This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series race is looking pretty packed with 38 cars lining up, including two open entries. Fans will see Jimmie Johnson back in action, steering the #84 LMC Toyota. Meanwhile, Riley Herbst will be behind the #15 RWR Ford, and Derek Kraus will take on the track in the #16 Kaulig Racing Chevy. Then Austin Hill is set to take the wheel of a third RCR entry, driving the #33 Chevrolet. Corey Heim is stepping in again for the sidelined Erik Jones, handling the #43 LMC Toyota.
Green flags for Kansas weekend
All on FS1Saturday
ARCA: 2:10p ET / 1:10p CT
Trucks: 8:13p ET / 7:13p CTSunday
Cup: 3:13p ET / 2:13p CT @NASCARONFOX https://t.co/aXL1jcOpCO— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 2, 2024
But which drivers can you expect to perform the best at the AdventHealth 400 race at the end of the day?
Is the AdventHealth 400 going to be a barn burner?
Trending
What Is Left of Denny Hamlin’s Depleting Core After Having to Deal With a Nearly $70 Billion Loss?
NASCAR Rumors: Corey LaJoie’s Cup Future Dependent on ‘$’ Amid Rick Ware’s Hopes of Tony Stewart’s SHR Replay
NASCAR Rumor: Handed $25,000 Fine, Xfinity Star Could Replace Chevy’s Rejected Prodigy
Aggrieved Fans Deem NASCAR’s MPD Awards “Pretty Much a Joke” Amid Piling Reports of Masked Chase Elliott Favoritism
Kurt Busch Finally Breaking Radio Silence After Criminal Charges Forced 3-Month-Long Hiatus Has NASCAR Fans Breathing Easy
This year, several drivers are in the race to clinch Victory Lane at Kansas. But who is the most likely to win? While that’s hard to say, many are poised to visit victory lane on the back of promising stats, at the venue. The spotlight will most likely be on Ross Chastain, a dark horse this year despite some decent odds in Kansas. He burst onto the scene in 2022, winning his first Cup Series race and nearly clinching the championship. He’s been hanging tough at Kansas lately, clocking in 13th or better with three top-10 finishes in his last four races there.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Keep your eyes on Martin Truex Jr too. He’s riding high in second place overall, but he’s hit a rough patch, missing the top five lately despite being a Vegas hotshot. However, his performance in Kansas has been worth noting. With two consecutive P1 finishes in 2017 and eight consecutive Top-10s between 2019 and 2023, the JGR driver can definitely turn into a formidable force.
And don’t count out the other JGR driver, Denny Hamlin. With 31 starts at Kansas, he’s bagged four wins and eight Top-5 finishes. Not to mention, his current form with three wins in 2024 already. Notably, in the Next Gen era, he’s been practically glued to the front, clocking in at fourth, second, first, and second.
Kyle Larson’s also in the mix. From 18 starts, he’s got a win and several top-five finishes, including a victory back in 2021. His Next-Gen track record is also stellar—finishing P2, P8, P2, and P4.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Chase Elliott isn’t one to overlook either. Out of 16 starts at Kansas, he’s had one win(2018) and five Top-5s. And if we go by the racer’s recent performances, having clinched a recent victory at Texas after a 42-race winless streak, he’ll also be giving it his all!
So, who’s your pick for the upcoming weekend? Let us know in the comments below!