Five Questions for Kansas

(Credit: Jamie Squire Getty Images)

by Lisa Nellis


Welcome to Race 11 of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series, where we answer five of your most burning questions about The Buschy McBusch Race 400 at Kansas Speedway. That may be a challenge, because Kansas is not generally known as the most exciting place to watch a race (in this writer's opinion). But we'll give it our best shot.

First, the most pressing question. Why is this called the "Buschy McBusch 400?" 
That's a no-brainer, because earlier in the year, Busch Beer let fans pick the name. Remember "Boaty McBoatface?" That's what social media does now. It's not clear why it wasn't "McBuschface," but maybe Kurt and Kyle objected.

Next, which drivers are traditionally good at this track? 
Kansas is a relatively new addition to the NASCAR lineup, hosting its first Cup race in 2001, which was won by Jeff Gordon. In recent years, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski have had success here. So has Kyle Busch, if you count his domination in the truck races. Kes has the pole on Sunday, so keep an eye on  the No. 2. 

For the trucks, John Hunter Nemechek starts up front, but Kyle Busch lines up second, so it will surely be a battle between the two teammates.

Will there be wrecks? 
Kansas has a dominant high groove with a lesser low groove. That leads to contact on corner exits and high speeds off the corner from cars running high catching cars coming off the bottom. Wrecks in a scenario such as this will cause cars to spin at high speeds, making Kansas particularly prone to more than its fair share of ugly airborne crashes. There have been at least seven since the repave in 2012.

Who is the current points leader in Cup? 
Ironically, that would be Denny Hamlin with 446 points, who has yet to win a race this season. Can Denny make it an "11:11" (No. 11 winning race #11) on Sunday? The oddsmakers say his chances are the best overall at 9:2.

Can we talk about the weather? 
Predictions for Sunday are for sunny and clear skies, with a high of about 75 degrees. No rain is in the forecast at all.

Tune in this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FS1.
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Five Questions for Kansas Five Questions for Kansas Reviewed by laweez on Friday, April 30, 2021 Rating: 5