LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- How does the Kentucky Speedway plan to keep things moving after last year's traffic nightmare? Governor Beshear got to see the improvements less than three weeks before the big race.
"For the state of Kentucky, it's more than just a weekend," said Governor Beshear.
Last summer was the first chance for the Kentucky Speedway to host the Quaker State 400. If you judged by traffic alone, some might say the track royally screwed it up. It took thousands of fans hours to get to the track -- many missed the race altogether. "As soon as that weekend was over, we sat down with Mr. (Bruton) Smith and his folks and started talking about some changes," said Beshear.
Governor Beshear has been working with the track, and one of the most powerful men in the racing industry -- Bruton Smith. "I think that we made a lot of promises to all of you, and we're going to prove to you that we've fulfilled all of these promises," said Smith.
The media got to see those promises on a tour with Smith and Beshear. The governor proudly drove a pace car -- a new Ford Escape, made in Louisville. "Race fans of NASCAR from the world over will be focusing in on the Kentucky Speedway and the Commonwealth of Kentucky," said the governor.
Fans can also focus on the $10 million in improvements. Highway 35 near the track has been expanded to seven lanes. I-71 exit ramps are widened, and 20,000 additional parking spaces have been added, plus more space for campers. A pedestrian tunnel will safely get fans to the track, without stopping traffic. For Kentucky's economy, it was crucial to bring the Sprint Cup Series back to the Speedway. "I'm looking forward to those 100,000 fans spending a whole lot of money in Kentucky that week," said Beshear with a smile.
The big weekend is June 28th through the 30th. "What we are looking forward to is that the focus on this race weekend turning back to where it belongs and that's on this racetrack," said Beshear.
The track also hopes to alleviate traffic problems, simply by encouraging fans to come out to the track early Saturday, offering a concert and tailgating.
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