More than four months have passed since the NASCAR Cup Series last competed at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, marking a seasonal shift from spring into fall. The demanding schedule of the Cup Series continues nonstop as the premier stock car division prepares for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the 1.5-mile oval. This event represents the 31st race out of 36 on the season calendar and serves as the fifth playoff race in the 10-race NASCAR postseason.
Cody Ware, driver of the No. 51 Evel Knievel Museum Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing, heads into the race focused on improving from his team’s May performance at Kansas Speedway, while keeping a close watch on the dozen drivers still contending for the Cup Series title.
Kansas back in the spring was a learning experience for our whole race team,
Ware said.
We learned a lot of things the hard way during the first third of the season, but our mile-and-a-half program was fairly decent earlier in the year and I feel like it’s gotten better as the year’s gone on.
He added that progress continued after Kansas in May, noting:
After Kansas, we went to Charlotte for the Coke 600 and finished 25th. That’s when we started to turn a corner in terms of the balance of our racecar and some of the other things we were lacking at the start of the season.
Optimism Builds with a Sharper Game Plan in Kansas
Looking ahead to his return to the track, Ware expressed confidence in his team’s development throughout the season. The gains made earlier have laid the groundwork for renewed effort on the mile-and-a-half oval. His goal is to translate improved speed into competitive results during the playoffs.
I’m super optimistic to get back to Kansas. Knowing what we know now, we have a much better plan of attack. I feel like we’re in a position to convert our speed into a tangible result,
Ware said.
Understanding Kansas Speedway’s Unique Racing Challenges
Kansas Speedway features a wide, D-shaped configuration on the city’s outskirts, known for high-speed action and multiple racing lanes enabling intense side-by-side battles. The track’s smooth surface offers consistency, allowing drivers to confidently maneuver 3,400-pound cars through corners at speeds near 170 mph. Ware highlighted how the track’s quality contributes to the racing experience.
Kansas is in great condition. No bumps, no wear, you can pretty much run that track from top to bottom,
Ware stated.
If you want to run the apron, you can run the apron. If you want to run the wall, you can run the wall. And you can run any combination of lanes in between. It’s really just a very good, solid, smooth, clean racetrack, which makes it easier to extract the car’s full potential.
Balancing Aerodynamics and Chassis for Peak Performance
Success at mile-and-a-half tracks like Kansas depends heavily on fine-tuning the balance between aerodynamic downforce and mechanical grip. Teams optimize aero grip by managing the distribution of downforce across the car’s front and rear to enhance stability and cornering. At the same time, mechanical grip derives from chassis setup and suspension adjustments that improve tire performance on the surface.
At mile-and-a-half tracks, aero balance is a huge part of how your day’s going to go, and that’s something we’ve really been working on through the summer,
Ware explained.
We have a much better idea of where we are today compared to when we were at Kansas back in May.
Navigating the Dual Race Dynamic During the Playoffs
This edition of the Hollywood Casino 400 is contested during the heat of NASCAR’s playoffs, where only 12 of the 36 drivers remain in championship contention. This scenario creates a layered race environment where playoff contenders focus on points, while others like Ware aim to deliver strong performances amid fierce competition.
The best way to navigate it all is to have a good car. Ideally, you’re racing hard and you’re on the lead lap,
Ware remarked.
Still, you’re always going to try and give those guys a little extra room just because they’re racing for a lot more than we are at the moment. You give those guys respect in a way that, hopefully, when the roles are reversed one day, it gets paid back. That’s important because there really are two separate races going on during the playoffs.
Schedule and Broadcast Details for the Kansas Race Weekend
The track action begins on Saturday with practice scheduled at 12 p.m. CDT, followed by qualifying at 1:10 p.m. CDT, both covered live by TruTV and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 flag drop is set for 2 p.m. CDT, with USA Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio delivering comprehensive flag-to-flag coverage of the 267-lap race.
Significance of the Kansas Run for Cody Ware and Rick Ware Racing
Cody Ware’s experience at Kansas illustrates a broader journey marked by adaptation and growth. Their improved understanding of the mile-and-a-half setting and tactical approach amid the playoffs positions Ware and Rick Ware Racing to make meaningful strides in the closing races of the season. With the team’s commitment to refining car balance and race strategy, their Kansas comeback serves as a vital step toward breaking through in competitive stock car racing’s most intense phase.
