Kentucky

Kentucky’s tri-oval was the first permanent racing facility in the state when it opened in June 2000.

Kentucky’s tri-oval was the first permanent racing facility in the state when it opened in June 2000. It was designed by Bill Moss (who was also responsible for Talladega and the Las Vegas Speedway) with grandstand seats for 66,000 spectators. It was here in 2002 that Sarah Fisher became the first woman to qualify for an IndyCar race in pole position. Now part of Bruton Smith’s speedway empire, Kentucky Speedway underwent a $50 million redevelopment in time for the 2011 season. New grandstands boosted capacity to over 100,000 seats but poor traffic access blighted the venue’s inaugural NASCAR race that summer.