About ten of the ARCA RE/MAX cars took advantage of an open test at Kansas Speedway in early May in preparation for the upcoming twin races at that facility. June 2 the track will hold a NASCAR Winston West race and an ARCA race.
The date which followed the ARCA race at Gateway allowed ARCA teams to save on travel time and expense. It was reported that Keith Strunk turned a 169.120 mph lap, the fastest on the 1 1/2 –mile superspeedway. It was stated on the Kansas Speedway website that, “The test allowed teams to get some good data to apply toward their race-day setups and get a feel for the track.”
At this point we have heard that Kevin Richards has tested Kansas, but are not aware of any other Winston West regulars that have tried the newly laid asphalt.
On the line is a $15,000 bonus for any driver that can win both the Winston West and ARCA events. There are more than a few people betting the ARCA teams will snag the purse in the Winston West Event. We are counting on John Metcalf, Johnny Borneman III, Austin Cameron, Sean Woodside and Sammy Potashnick to put an end to that! (For clarification these are the Winston West drivers we understand will be competing in ARCA. Any of our heros in the west can end the double dipping by ARCA).
As for the difference in races? Well, the purse is a little higher for the ARCA winner, the TV schedule is listed for the ARCA series, the Kansas Speedway website is giving top billing for the ARCA event and the track is a little closer for the majority of the ARCA competitors. The ARCA is listed as a 200 and the Winston West a 100, other than that both races are about equal.
On a good note not only has the purse been increased for the Winston West competitors at Kansas, but also TV coverage is in place. Also, lets remember for some of the regular Winston West competitors Kansas City is closer than the distance they normally have to travel.
Currently RE/MAX is getting a lot of publicity on the main page of the Kansas Speedway website and that’s great we love RE/MAX and the wonderful support it gives to racing. Perhaps there is a reason that Winston is not or cannot be featured, but a big thanks to R. J. Reynolds for the years of supporting the Winston West.
The countdown is on! Kansas here we come! Look out ARCA, the Winston West is the creme de la creme!
