Kentucky Speedway Lands Sprint Cup Race

After spending nearly $14 million on improvements to the Kentucky Speedway, billionaire Bruton Smith has convinced NASCAR to move a major stock car race to the track.The facility will host a 400-mile Sprint Cup Race on July 9, 2011. Gov. Steve Beshear was among dignitaries invited to the track for the big announcement.“I’m very interested in seeing the economic impact of having a Sprint Cup Race here at Kentucky Speedway. And track officials tell me that it could be upwards to $150 million a year. Now, that’s something for Kentucky or for any place,” he said.The Sparta, Kentucky, track will become the 23rd motorsports facility on the 36-race Sprint Cup Series schedule. It's the first race added to the national tour since 2001.(Logo courtesy of Kentucky Speedway)