Martin Truex Jr. charges to the lead during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway, Spring 2012
Photo – Jamie Squire/Getty Images

When the Kansas Speedway reconfigured their track surface, before last October’s race, they created a track that could feature some action-packed and intense racing. Drivers attempted to figure-out their way around the new surface of the mile-and-a-half track last October, and left with some knowledge and mainly torn up sheet-metal. The race featured multiple incidents and  went down in the history books as one of the most exciting races in the history of the Kansas Speedway. Fans are hoping for a repeat performance when NASCAR’s Generation Six cars take to the track this weekend and they likely won’t be disappointed.

The STP 400 will be taking place on Sunday, April 21, 2013 with the green-flag waving around 1:16 PM EST (12:16 PM CT). 267 Laps and 400.5 miles will make up the race distance and with the favorable weather forecast for race day; all 267 laps will likely get in the books. Sunday’s weather will be cloudy with a high of 62 F and only a 10% chance of rain. You can catch the TV broadcast of the race on FOX and you can listen to the race via MRN’s radio coverage.

Last time we were at Kansas in April was when a fierce battle closed out the race. Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. put on a show for the fans and the battle for the win went down to the last laps. Hamlin was able to hold off Truex Jr. for the win and another second-place finish for Truex Jr. left him without his second career Cup win. Following last week’s race at Texas, where a similar battle between Truex Jr. and Hamlin’s teammate, Kyle Busch, took place, Truex Jr. was left just one place shy of his second Cup win. Being that close could motivate Truex Jr. to come out this weekend and go after the victory and it will be exciting to see if he can do so. A win for him this weekend would definitely create some headlines.

As the season continues to progress, the storylines from each race continue to grow. Last week’s race at Texas had its fair share of headlines and even more will develop after the race this weekend. Most notable from last weekend was the dominant performance Kyle Busch put on which led him to his second victory of the season. The win proved Busch is here to compete this season and he has visions to go all the way. Some stories that came out of last week weren’t as good as Busch’s and they included penalties for both Penske cars.

Both of the Penske Racing cars had an illegal rear-end housing and had to make a change before last week’s race. Wednesday, NASCAR handed out penalties and they most notably included suspensions for both crew chiefs. They did indeed appeal the penalty, and depending on when NASCAR deals with the appeal, will decide if both the No.2 and No.22 cars will be with new crew chiefs this weekend or if they will have delayed potential suspensions.

Penske Racing is also making news this weekend since they have entered Sam Hornish Jr. in a third Penske car. Joe Gibbs Racing has also entered another car for this weekend, with Elliot Sadler as the driver. Hornish Jr. and Sadler could easily be threats on Sunday and so watch for them to do well.

Jimmie Johnson is the points leader heading into this weekend and hopes to keep his place after the race; but that will be difficult because drivers like Brad Keselowski, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch will be gunning for that top-spot. A fight for the points lead will surely be a part of the STP 400 this weekend and it will be a fight that you don’t want to miss.

Since the checkered flag fell last October, NASCAR has been anxious for another race on Kansas’ reconfigured surface. The new surface created lots of action and overall great racing, which is what fans enjoy best. The wait will be over once the cars hit the track this weekend and this time, the learning game with the Gen 6 car on Kansas’ surface will begin. With last year’s winner of this race not competing this year, the field is wide-open and there will likely be a new winner of the STP 400. This race is shaping up as one heck of an event which could easily be considered one of the best races so far this season.

Event Schedule

12:00-1:30 PM CT (1:00-2:30 PM EST) (Friday) Sprint Cup Series Practice, televised on SPEED

3:40 PM CT (4:40 PM EST) (Friday) Sprint Cup Series Qualifying, televised on SPEED

9:00-9:55 AM CT (10:00-10:55 AM EST) (Saturday) Sprint Cup Series Practice, televised on SPEED

11:30 AM- 12:20 PM CT (12:30-1:20 PM EST) (Saturday) Final Sprint Cup Series Practice, televised on SPEED

12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM EST) (Sunday) the Sprint Cup Series’ race, the STP 400, televised on FOX

Next Race- the Toyota Owners 400 at the Richmond International Speedway in Richmond, Virginia

Entry List via Jayski.com