KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson covers neighborhoods in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. Share your story idea with Rachel. KSHB 41 reporter Tod Palmer covers sports business and eastern Jackson County, including Independence. Share your story idea with Tod.
—
NASCAR returns to Kansas Speedway for its spring weekend of racing, including some activity Friday at the 1.5-mile trioval track in Kansas City, Kansas.
With a third round of severe weather this week bearing down on the Kansas City region, Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren explained the severe weather plan at the racetrack, which does not have a storm shelter on the grounds.
“We can use our restrooms and concession buildings, which are concrete block,” Warren said. “We can use the suite lobbies, but they're not gonna hold, if we had a full crowd, they're not gonna hold everybody.”
Those areas don’t need to hold a full crowd should severe weather threaten Kansas Speedway on Friday, when the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series were scheduled to conduct practice and qualifying.
“Fortunately, today isn't a big day from a public perspective,” Warren said. “We will have, or depending on where the weather is, we would have the grandstands open for people to watch ARCA practice, so I don't anticipate there being a lot of people out here today. ... We don't anticipate having more than about 1,000 people out here. I would guess many of those will decide not to come if it looks like it's gonna rain.”
Warren said high winds and lightning are the biggest severe weather issues Kansas Speedway normally faces.
“We operate with the same lightning protocols as other professional sports,’ he said. “In our case, and I think this is true for the Royals and Chiefs, anywhere it hits within an 8-mile radius, you shut down and you have to wait 30 minutes until there's no lightning. You tell fans to seek shelter and you hope that nothing bad happens. The facility is grounded. Everything's as safe as it can be, but it's still a large outdoor facility.”
High winds can have an impact on camping at Kansas Speedway, which includes fans traveling in RVs and some who opt for tents. The track uses a variety of communication methods to alert fans about possible weather issues.
“If you're in an RV, or we even have some tent camping, winds can be a major issue,” Warren said. “We warn the campers by text message, email, others things, and usually people are paying attention on their own if they're used to camping.”
Warren estimated there are “1,500 to 2,000 people in the campgrounds — campers, so double that in terms of the number of people at least staying on property.”
Practice and qualifying won’t take place if there’s rain, which may tamp down the crowd size even more, but sheltering in place — even if it’s a personal vehicle — is another option.
“My understanding, I think it's the Red Cross suggests, if you're at a large outdoor event ... the recommendation is get in your car and turn the engine on because, then if something happens, the airbag and the car will protect you,” Warren said. “The car is grounded and the airbags will come on if you get blown around.”
O’Reilly practice and qualifying was set for 6 p.m. Friday.
The ARCA Menard’s Series Tide 150 is set for 11:30 a.m. Saturday (FS1), while the green flag drops in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Kansas Lottery 300 at 6 p.m. on Saturday (CW).
The NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 takes place at 1 p.m. on Sunday and airs on Fox.
NASCAR fans are braving high winds, heavy rain, lightning and thunder as they camp out at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, ahead of race weekend.
"We’re not worried about a little weather," said Cody Madsen, a Nebraska native whose family has been coming to the track since it was built in 2001.
Mark Leuthard and his wife Val have been traveling from Minnesota for more than a decade.
His group has grown to include several campsites, complete with flagpoles designed to brace against 100 mph winds.
"We’re from Minnesota, weather changes if you wait 10 minutes," Leuthard said while laughing.
Fans came prepared for the conditions.
Chad Stephens, who traveled from Western Iowa, put a comforter on his windshield to act as a hail-stopping measure.
"Being four hours from home, we don’t really have much of an option," Stephens said. "So we’re going to just stick to it and hope for the best."
He and his friends arrived in Kansas City on Thursday.
"We’ve been planning since yesterday for the little things," Stephens said.
Part of that planning includes finding shelter, as campers are not safe in high winds.
"Being in the camper with those type of winds is not a smart idea, so we’re going to take shelter in the bathroom," Stephens said.
Madsen, a firefighter, clarified the safety risks associated with campers and severe weather.
"Yes they’re very heavy for towing, but the wind can get under ‘em, they can roll, the jacks are very flimsy," Madsen said.
His group's campers were also parked near concrete bathrooms, potential options to use as shelter.
"I’ve been here in a storm before when the tornado went over when I was a child. There’s plenty of bathrooms right around here, in the garage area there’s safety shelters for us, and Kansas Speedway always takes care of its patrons, and that’s why we keep coming back," Madsen said.
Madsen said he's also willing to go to surrounding areas to take cover.
"We have a plan, putting up another tent if needed. Otherwise, we can always go to the casino, go to Dave and Busters, the shopping area around," Madsen said. "Since this place has grown, there’s always something to do around."
Beyond weather preparations, fans are focused on the community aspect of the weekend, sharing custom dresses, fresh brisket and friendship bracelets.
"The racing is like 20% of the weekend," Leuthard said. "The other 80% is just hanging out and cooking food and having fun."
Curt Sonderman, who has been attending races for 25 years, was busy managing the food for his group.
"We got a brisket on right now, and we made some wings. We eat pretty healthy," Sonderman laughed.
Janine Lange showed off a custom dress her friend Carey made for the occasion.
"She added all the bling and she added this," Lange said.
Carey Lundberg spent her time handing out handmade items to younger fans.
"Every race, I make about six or so hundred of these and I give them away to little kids who come to the races," Lundberg said.
For these dedicated fans, the camaraderie is enough to help them weather any storm.
"It’s a good time to get together with friends, and we’ve been the same group for a long time," Stephens said.
Madsen echoed that sentiment.
"No matter what, rain or shine, we’re always here," Madsen said.
—
