TV Schedule Oct. 7-9

Brad Keselowski won his first race of the season in June at Kansas.
Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images for NASCAR

The Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series head to the Midwest to converge on Kansas Speedway. In NASCAR's top level, the top 12 drivers will be put to the test in race No. 4 in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

The Kansas City speedway is a relatively new track, hosting 11 Sprint Cup races since it opened in 2001. The track was given two dates this year, with the addition of a spring Sprint Cup race in June.

Kansas is a 1.5-mile, D-shaped oval with 15-degree banking in the corners, 10.4 degrees on the frontstretch and 5 degrees on the backstretch. But the configuration of the intermediate track will change in 2012. In between the track's two NASCAR race weekends next year, the speedway will repave its surface and add progressive banking of about 18 to 20 degrees in the corners. The variable banking will allow for more passing. A road course will also be constructed in the infield.

Several races at Kansas have come down to fuel mileage, including its inaugural Sprint Cup spring race. Brad Keselowski played the fuel mileage game to perfection, holding off Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the win. With the title at stake, who will rise triumphant Sunday?

The Nationwide Series makes its annual visit to Kansas this season. Joey Logano has won the last two Nationwide races at Kansas and will try for three in a row Saturday.

The following are recent winners at Kansas:

SPRINT CUP
Sprint 2011: Brad Keselowski
Fall 2011: Greg Biffle

NATIONWIDE
2010: Joey Logano

The Camping World Truck Series is on an off-week and will return to action next weekend at Las Vegas.

Here is a handy guide to track events and TV coverage for Kansas. (All times are in Eastern Standard Time):

Friday, Oct. 7:
12:30 p.m. NSCS Practice, ESPN2
2 p.m. NNS Practice, ESPN2
3:30 p.m. NASCAR Now, ESPN2
4 p.m. NNS Final Practice, ESPN2
5 p.m. NSCS Qualifying, ESPN2
6:30 p.m. NASCAR Now, ESPN2
7 p.m. Trackside at Kansas, SPEED. Guests: Brian Vickers and Austin Dillon.
8:30 p.m. ARCA Racing Series at Kansas, SPEED
10:30 p.m. Trackside at Kansas, SPEED
11:30 p.m. The 10, SPEED

Saturday, Oct. 8:
1:30 a.m. NASCAR Now, ESPN2
2:30 a.m. ARCA Racing Series at Kansas (re-air), SPEED
10 a.m. NNS Qualifying, ESPN2
11 a.m. Trackside at Kansas, SPEED
12 noon NASCAR Live, SPEED
12:30 p.m. NSCS Practice, SPEED
1:30 p.m. NSCS Final Practice, SPEED
3 p.m. NNS Countdown, ESPN2
3:30 p.m. NNS: Kansas Lottery 300, ESPN2. In-race reporter: Brad Keselowski.

Sunday, Oct. 9:
4 a.m. NNS: Kansas Lottery 300 (re-air), ESPN Deportes
5 a.m. NNS: Kansas Lottery 300 (re-air), ESPN2
9 a.m. NASCAR Now, ESPN2
10 a.m. The 10, SPEED
10:30 a.m. SPEED Center NASCAR Edition, SPEED
11 a.m. NASCAR RaceDay, SPEED
1 p.m. NSCS Countdown, ESPN
1:30 p.m. NASCAR Performance, SPEED
2 p.m. NSCS: Hollywood Casino 400, ESPN (Re-airings: midnight on ESPN2 and 4 a.m. Monday on ESPN Deportes). In-race reporter: Matt Kenseth.
5:30 p.m. NASCAR Victory Lane, SPEED (Re-airings: 9 p.m. and midnight, SPEED)
6:30 p.m. The 10, SPEED
10 p.m. NASCAR Now, ESPN2