This past weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway was pure adrenaline, and our RaceAway guests were right there in the middle of it. We spent Sunday, May 11th, 2025 at the AdventHealth 400 in Kansas City, Kansas, watching Kyle Larson absolutely dominate: winning from the pole, sweeping all three stages, and leading 221 of 267 laps. Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney kept things spicy behind him, battling hard and giving our group plenty to cheer (and holler) about. It was the perfect showcase for our Kansas Speedway NASCAR experience.
Hosting Our RaceAway Group in Kansas City
I’m Emily, your Southern host from North Carolina, and I was thrilled to head out to the Midwest for this Kansas weekend. We stayed at the Embassy Suites Kansas City Airport, a convenient spot about 20 miles from the track. This hotel is close enough to make race day easy, but quiet enough to relax before and after all the excitement.
About a third of our group were return guests, so the lobby felt more like a reunion than a check-in line. It’s always a treat to see Georgia M. and Bob M., who’ve been joining us at races since 2010. When they walked in, I couldn’t help but grin and say, “Well hey, y’all! Kansas just wouldn’t feel right without you.”
Newer guests mixed right in, and by the time everyone had their white RaceAway lanyards and welcome info, folks were swapping stories about favorite tracks, drivers, and how many times Larson has either broken their hearts or made their weekends.
Race Day at Kansas Speedway
Sunday morning, I met our group in the lobby for our 9:30 AM charter departure to Kansas Speedway. With the track just 20 miles away but race-day traffic to consider, we planned on a 45-minute ride. I asked everyone to be ready about 10 minutes early, “Y’all know me, I like to be fashionably on time to the racetrack,” I joked. Our motorcoach had a restroom on board, and guests were welcome to bring a beverage for the ride, so we settled in easily.
On the way out, I walked the aisle to go over the current carry-in rules one more time. As of May 2025: soft-sided coolers only (no larger than 14″), one bag up to 18″ x 18″ x 4″, clear bags encouraged, and no glass containers. We also talked about the track going cashless for concessions and merchandise, so folks made sure their cards and apps were ready.
Guests who added Sunday Pre-Race Passes were excited to get down on the infield. The crossover gates opened at 11:15 AM, giving them time to walk across the track, explore the infield, and get settled on the grass before driver intros. I reminded them, “If you want to see those drivers up close, you must be on that infield grass before 1:20 PM, or they’ll shut the gates on you quicker than a summer storm.”
By 1:30 PM, driver introductions were underway, and our whole group had filtered back toward our grandstand section, ready for the main event. At 2:00 PM, the green flag waved on the AdventHealth 400, and Kansas Speedway came to life. From our seats, we had a clear view of the 1.5-mile tri-oval: restarts, pit road action, and that high lane where the brave ones like to flirt with the wall.
Larson’s Domination and a High-Octane Finish
Once the race settled in, it became clear Kyle Larson had the hot rod to beat. Starting from the pole, he took off early and never let the field breathe, sweeping all three stages and leading 221 of 267 laps. Every restart was a fresh chance for Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney to take a shot at him, and our group leaned forward each time, hoping one of those charges would stick.
Bell and Blaney traded spots and staged some fierce battles behind Larson, adding plenty of drama even with one car out front. Guests debated strategy: “Short pitting or staying out?” and we heard plenty of “I told you so” chatter as the laps wound down. When Larson finally took the checkered after such a dominant day, even folks who weren’t necessarily Larson fans had to tip their caps. It was a masterclass, plain and simple.
After the race, I reminded everyone we had about an hour before the charter needed to roll back to the hotel. “Take your time, grab your photos, we’ll head out in one hour,” I told them with a smile. We regrouped at the coach, compared favorite passes and near-misses, and rode back to the Embassy Suites tired, sun-kissed, and happy.
Highlights from This 2025 Kansas Weekend
- Embassy Suites Kansas City Airport we our convenient race-weekend home base, just a short drive from Kansas Speedway.
- Round-trip charter transportation with a restroom on board and an easy 45-minute ride each way.
- Optional Sunday Pre-Race Passes with crossover gate access starting at 11:15 AM for infield time before driver introductions.
- A welcoming mix of new guests and about one-third returning fans, including long-time RaceAway friends Georgia M. and Bob M., with us since 2010.
- Kyle Larson’s dominant run from the pole, sweeping all three stages and leading 221 of 267 laps, while Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney battled hard behind him.
Wrapping Up a Kansas Speedway Kind of Night
By the time we got back to the hotel, the bus was a little quieter, but the stories were still flying—who called Larson from the start, who thought Bell or Blaney might catch him, and who was already eyeing their next RaceAway trip. For me, it was another wonderful weekend: a fast track, a fun group, and that mix of new faces and old friends that makes this job such a joy.
If y’all are thinking about joining us at Kansas Speedway or checking out other NASCAR travel packages with RaceAway, I’d be delighted to see you on a future trip. We’ll handle the details so you can focus on the racing, the memories, and the people you share them with.