NASCAR In Kansas: Midwest Track Hosts Its Inaugural Spring Race

Carl Edwards, the Missouri native who wants a win at Kansas Speedway more than at any other track, has yet to win at the Kansas City, Kan. venue.

With his momentum this season, Edwards is possibly very close. But if Edwards falls short of a win again – as he did in the thrilling 2008 finish at the 1.5 mile track – he just hopes one other driver doesn’t beat him to Kansas Speedway’s Victory Lane: Kansas native Clint Bowyer.

“He can’t win there before me,” Edwards deadpanned last week. “That would be terrible.”

In reality, Edwards would probably think it’s terrible for any driver to win at Kansas when Edwards himself wants to win so badly there. But, citing the historic Kansas-Missouri rivalry, the Roush Fenway Racing driver said it’s his duty to uphold Missouri pride.

“There’s a healthy rivalry that dates back about 150 years with us and the guys right across the border there,” Edwards said. “One of us is gonna win it before the other; I would definitely like to be the one to win that first. There would be a lot of pride. I think between Clint and I that would be a big deal.”

Naturally, Edwards is among those who thinks racing at Kansas twice per season from now on is a fantastic idea. This weekend will mark Kansas’ inaugural spring race after previously only holding one race per season in September or October.

International Speedway Corp., which owns Kansas and is controlled by the France family, is building a casino on the track’s property. The casino was the reason ISC decided to move one of Fontana’s dates to Kansas.

“I think the fans really love racing,” Edwards said. “If you look at Iowa, the fans there (in the Midwest) are really hungry for NASCAR racing. They’re real racers. ... I’m glad they have two races and I think they deserve them.”