banquet 400 history
banquet 400 history
Banquet 400 tickets have been a huge draw for the people of Kansas City since the beginning of the decade. Investors in the International Speedway Corporation took a huge gamble in the late nineties that the sport of NASCAR could sustain another track in the mid-west. In 1996, during the research phase, the sport of stock car racing was beginning to whip up interest north of the Mason/Dixon line. As it would turn out, racing had a new up and coming Mecca on its hands when the track unveiled in fall 2001.
Kansas found a new love for racing with the first two events ever held at the fledgling track taken by sports superstar Jeff Gordon. With such a profound and loyal fan base in the area, the Banquet 400 has quickly become an enthusiast’s favorite in the last few years. For those in possession of Banquet 400 tickets, the brilliance of the Tri-Oval track design at Kansas Speedway is a spectators dream come true. This was a fact not lost on the fans of the area as the Banquet 400 has a reputation for selling out early.
In 2005 the venerated Mark Martin took the checkered flag in surprising fashion as most of the professionals picked Matt Kenseth to win the day in light of his record 180mph qualifying time. The win is recognized throughout the NASCAR world as one of the most shimmering gems in Martin’s crown of a career which is waning towards twilight. Proof positive that the track in Kansas City surrenders to young and old alike as long as the foot is down hard enough.
The year previous in 2004, Banquet 400 tickets served as a pass to a rarity. Joe Nemechek ran the field ragged that October day finishing in the same position he began, first. Nemechek held off a highly competitive field to take the checkered in a race that ended up being a turn in the Chase for the Cup that year.
The great sport of stock car racing often provides us with memorable events, unforgettable finishes and palpable energy. These truth have been held in the hallowed venues and races of the past and with the birth of Kansas Speedway in 2001, they will ring loud throughout the corn belt for years to come in the tone Banquet 400 tickets. Go out to the Tri-Oval in Kansas City and take in all the wonder of this event, a true legend in the making.
