There is a first for everything and last week we saw David Ragan win his first career Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway.
Ragan’s win has him now 17th in the points and is in perfect position to make his first Chase for Sprint Cup.
This weekend is another first as the NSCS series heads to Kentucky Speedway for the first time in the tracks 10 year history.
On Thursday during the test sessions teams got their first opportunity to get on track and run some laps. This test session could prove to be very important as Friday weather was in the area and threatened on track activities.
Jeff Gordon is looking win his fourth inaugural event in his career. He won the first races at Indianapolis, Kansas and Auto Club Speedway.
"Definitely special to win inaugural race, because you're always recognized for that. U can only do that once." Gordon said on Friday.
This year we have seen a trend this season in 17 races we have seen 12 different winners. On Saturday night that trend could continue with number 13.
Repavement plan…
Kansas Speedway announced Thursday that following its first race in 2012 they will repave the track. Officials said they will be adding a road course in the infield, re-doing pit road and adding progressive banking on mile and half track.
Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren said “Given the harsh weather conditions in the Midwest, a repave of our existing racing surface was a must. Repaving a track is a huge undertaking so we decided it was the right time to make the other changes to our facility, which we believe will enhance our fans experience at Kansas Speedway."
The project should be completed in time for its second date in 2012.
Kentucky officials also announced that they will also be repaving the track following Saturday nights race.
Kentucky Speedway is over 10 years old and while NSCS has never run here the Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide series have been running here since it opened.
#350
Ryan Newman marks a career milestone this weekend heading into Kentucky Speedway. When he takes the green flag on Saturday night it will mark his 350th race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. He has 14 wins, 46 poles, 76 top-fives and 142 top-10 finishes.
Newman is currently 10th in the standings but only three points separate him from 11th place Denny Hamlin heading into this weekend.
NASCAR at the ESPY’s
Don’t forget to vote for Trevor Bayne and Jimmie Johnson for the ESPY awards. Click here for Bayne’s nominee for best moment http://es.pn/mCsflj and Johnson for best male athlete http://es.pn/m7ST0X. Voting ends Saturday night at Midnight.
The Quaker State 400 is Saturday 7:30 ET on TNT.
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