Transportation Cabinet
Traffic plans set for Kentucky Speedway’s ‘Quaker State 400’ weekend

Speedway, state authorities collaborate to keep traffic flowing

SPARTA, Ky. (July 1, 2011) – Kentucky Speedway, Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet have collaborated on a comprehensive traffic and parking plan to accommodate more than 100,000 race fans who will converge at the Speedway July 7-9 for a NASCAR tripleheader weekend that will feature the inaugural “Quaker State 400.”

“We want to make sure our guests have a safe trip to and from the Kentucky Speedway for the first of many Sprint Cup races,” said Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock. “The Kentucky Speedway has worked with our cabinet and other local and state government agencies to accommodate the thousands of race fans who will be attending.”

Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said a plan was carefully crafted to ensure maximum ease and efficiency for race fans traveling to and from the Speedway, just off Interstate 71 at Sparta, in Gallatin County.

“We consulted with officials from Atlanta Motor Speedway, our Speedway Motorsports, Inc., sister facility, and state officials to formulate the best possible plan for accommodating in-bound and out-bound traffic utilizing Interstate 71 Exits 57 and 55. We have an efficient blueprint under which fans will be directed to exit our facility in the same direction in which they entered. We encourage fans to build extra time into their travel plans, follow posted signage and exercise patience,” Simendinger said. 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet suspended highway construction activity on I-71, beginning Thursday, June 30, to allow northbound and southbound lanes to operate at full capacity. Construction is scheduled to resume on Monday, July 10.

Following are tips for fans visiting the speedway for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “UNOH 225” July 7, the NASCAR Nationwide Series “Feed The Children 300” July 8 and the historic “Quaker State 400”:  

• To create two lanes of continuous southbound traffic toward Kentucky Speedway, the I-75 north ramp at Exit 173 will close on Tuesday, July 5. A signed detour will direct traffic north to I-75 Exit 175 at Richwood. Traffic will then be directed south on I-75/I-71 where it will be able to access I-71 south at Exit 173.

• Fans traveling I-75 south should remember to take Exit 173 to I-71 south and proceed to Exit 57.

• Three miles from the track, I-71 expands to three lanes in each direction for traffic traveling to and from the Greater Cincinnati area.

• Fans with vehicles bearing parking credentials should use I-71 Exit 57.

A comprehensive Kentucky Speedway entrance plan will direct fans traveling from Greater Cincinnati and points north to I-71 Exit 57. Fans traveling I-71 north to Kentucky Speedway from Louisville, Ky., and points south will be directed to I-71 Exit 55.

Following each race, fans parked in Kentucky Speedway Lots D and E on the southwest and west side of the facility will be directed to state Route 1039, where they will be able to travel south to access both I-71 north and south via Exit 55. Fans also will have the option of traveling north on state Route 1039 in the direction of Markland Dam, Belterra Casino Resort & Spa and U.S. 42 north and south. 

Guests parked in Kentucky Speedway Lots G, H, I and J spanning the northwest and southeast end of the track, as well as those parked in Lots A, B, and C on south side of the Speedway, will be directed to KY 35, where they will be able to access I-71 north or south.

Kentucky Speedway is able to accommodate approximately 33,000 vehicles in its 10 parking lots.  Fans can access free KOI Auto Parts shuttle buses and speedway trams at eight locations on a new access road that encircles the Speedway.

Complete information regarding traffic and parking can be found in the maps section of the official Kentucky Speedway Fan Guide at www.kentuckyspeedway.com.

Tickets for each event that comprises the first NASCAR tripleheader weekend in Kentucky Speedway history, along with infield Fan Zone passes and “Quaker State 400” race day Pit Road Club hospitality tickets, can be reserved at www.kentuckyspeedway.com, by phone at 888-652-7223 or by visiting the Kentucky Speedway ticket office at 1 Speedway Drive in Sparta, Ky., just off I-71 Exit 57 and Highway 35 north.

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