Day trippers: Familiarity key for drivers at Kentucky oval

SPARTA, KY. » The Kentucky Speedway winners’ club is exclusive — just five drivers have combined to win the first nine NASCAR Cup races.

All have championships, with the 400-mile race providing a springboard to the title for Kyle Busch (2015), Brad Keselowski (2012) and Martin Truex Jr. (2017).

Sunday’s event provides different hurdles, running in daylight for just the second time with drivers having to adjust on the fly without practice and qualifying because of concerns caused by the coronavirus pandemic. How well they adapt could determine whether club membership expands or remains the same.

Especially with Kentucky’s little nuances. The track is different from the four 1.5-mile tracks that comprise much of the NASCAR playoffs. The first two turns offer higher banking than the other two, and the afternoon start could make the repaved surface stickier compared to night racing.

MARK HUMPHREY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A pit crew covers a truck during a a Truck Series race Saturday in Sparta, Ky. Sheldon Creed won the rain-shortened race.