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Photo by Scott Collins
NASCAR released their updated racing schedule through August 2.
Kentucky Speedway will be hosting four races during the week of July 9-12. An additional Xfinity race was added in a Thursday night slot at 8 p.m.
The Cup Series will race July 12 in the Quaker State 400 with a start time of 2:30 p.m. Although the start time is not the usual night race Kentucky Speedway usually hosts, you can be sure the competition will be just as exciting. Last year’s race was exciting right to the checkered flag as the Busch brothers, Kurt and Kyle, bumped and side drafted to the finish with Kurt pulling out the win. Kyle has a pretty strong history racing at Kentucky Speedway in every division.
The Gander RV Outdoors Truck Series will move from the familiar time slot on Thursday to Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Kentucky native Ben Rhodes in the Ford Carolina Nut truck will be circling the track in the Buckle Up In Your Truck 225. Rhodes won the race in 2018 and finished 19th last year. He currently sits in fourth place in the series standings.
The Xfinity Series will race a rare back-to- back event starting on Thursday July 9 with the Kentucky 200 followed Friday by the Alsco 300. Both races will be held under the lights with start times of 8 p.m.
The Xfinity races have all been very competitive so far this season with a current crop of young drivers that have demonstrated skill and a quick learning curve. Also, the excitement centered around the Kyle Busch bounty has helped bring more recognition to the series than in years past.
The race at Bristol saw Dale Jr.’s team fight for the win and wrecking each other as Noah Gragson turned teammate Justin Allgier on the last few laps.
As has been the practice in all major events so far this season, no spectators will be allowed to attend any of the races, but all will be broadcast on FS1.