Our Day at the Kansas Speedway
When the folks from KC Parent asked if I would be interested in attending a NASCAR race with my family, I have to admit that I was hesitant. NASCAR isn’t really my “thing”…I don’t follow the sport, I don’t know the drivers, and I’m not really an adrenaline junky who likes the idea of fast cars. But, I do have a kid who has always loved cars and trucks and things that go, so I figured we’d give it a try! And I’m glad that we did because it was a great experience for the whole family!
Driving up to the Kansas Speedway was pretty exciting for all of us. There is a sea of cars and people and everyone is excited to be there. We didn’t tailgate, but I saw lots of families and groups who had feasts laid out under tents with flags flying high. Kansas City definitely knows how to tailgate no matter what the sport!! It is a long walk from your car to the speedway, so make sure to pack light and wear comfy shoes. Thankfully we did both.
As we got to the speedway there were plenty of fun things to check out before the races. We saw army vehicles and the kids got to sit in the cockpit of a Blackhawk helicopter…cool!
We didn’t have “pit passes” this time, but I definitely will spring for them next time…there seemed to be a lot of fun things to check out and experience out in the middle of the track before the race began. I know my son would love to get up close to the cars, their trailers, and the drivers. But even without the pit passes we enjoyed taking it all in before the race from a distance. As the national anthem blared through the speakers and the A-10 thunderbolts flew overhead, we were all ready for the race!
We were prepared for the noise with earplugs and we were able to rent “scanners” for the kids for both ear protection and so that they could listen to the drivers and their crew during the race. (I would definitely recommend that!) But even with all of that hearing protection, it was nice and loud as the cars started their engines! It took our breath away when they all zoomed past for the first time…wow! As we settled in to watch the race my kids were almost hypnotized by the “Vrrooom” of the cars as they went around the track. I would recommend picking out a car to cheer for and watch before the race, whether you pick a driver you recognize or a car whose colors you like. My son picked #88 (Dale Earnhart Jr.) and watched his car the whole time, which made it even more fun for him.
The weather was perfect and the crowd was great…the perfect day for us to enjoy the nearly 2 hour race. I loved watching the pit crews...they could change four tires in the time it takes me to walk into the kitchen for a snack. Incredible! I was amazed at how well the race kept my kids’ attention and how much they loved it. Though we didn’t know the driver who won, we still cheered as he crossed the finish line and did his victory lap. What an exciting day!
A few tips from us now that we’re NASCAR veterans:
- Talk with your kids about the race and what to watch for BEFORE the race. Once it starts you won’t be able to talk to them without shouting in their ears. Tell them to watch how fast the pit crews work and to watch for yellow flags that mean “slow down” and tell them how to read the leader board. Maybe even watch some of a race on TV before you go. It will help them understand everything better and you won’t have to scream it all at them.
- Plan for a whole day at the races…get there early to avoid the crowds and to be able to enjoy all of the fun extras. And bring entertainment for the car ride…you will definitely have to sit in some traffic on the way in and out.
- Pack a lunch! There are plenty of great food and beverage options at the Speedway, but one nice thing about it is that they let you bring in a small soft-side cooler and a backpack so you can easily pack a lunch and snacks for your family if you want to save money.
- Give it a try! Even if you think that NASCAR “isn’t your thing” like I did…I’m willing to bet that you will have a great time if you head out to Kansas Speedway.