SPARTA, Ky. – Flashbulbs popped as pole sitter Kyle Busch led the 43-car Sprint Cup field to the green flag at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday night to kick off the long-awaited debut by NASCAR’s top series at the 1.5-mile oval.
Yet the real story of the inaugural race at the track tucked among the hills in northern Kentucky was unfolding over the wall behind Turns 3 and 4 as Busch roared to the start/finish line.
Cars, many of them stuck in gridlock for hours on nearby Interstate 71, continued to inch along the overstuffed access roads. The maddening parade continued as the laps ticked off, with some fans eventually being asked to turn around after the race passed its halfway point so the track could start allowing those that did manage to make it in to leave.
Kentucky Speedway general manager Mark Simendinger put out a statement late Sunday saying the track “regrets” the traffic conditions and is working on a way to make amends with fans who never made it through the gates.
“We’re committed to working with NASCAR, state and local officials and traffic experts to assure that this never happens again,” Simendinger said.