On August 25th, 2008, the Kansas Speedway commented that it would add a road course to their infield if they are awarded the contract to manage a state-owned hotel and casino facility in Wyandotte County. Just two weeks ago, the speedway offered to seek a 2nd NASCAR Sprint Cup race if it receives the fifteen year casino management contract. The speedway is under the Kansas Entertainment LLC collaboration that is bidding against the other three to construct and operate a casino in Wyandotte County.
Jeff Boerger, the speedway president said that this just improves the economic development that they can offer to Kansas and improves their motor sports portfolio by allowing them to offer other types of racing. Boerger said that the road 2 ΒΌ mile road course would be made for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the competition by different sports car club. It would cost around $8 million and $10 million to construct. Boerger added that the speedway also hopes to offer a national convention if it receives the casino contract.
The Kansas Entertainment partnership has proposed a $705 million Hard Rock Hotel and Casino that would be place on the speedway. It is constructing against the Golden Heartland Incorporated, Legends Sun and Pinnacle Entertainment, all of which would construct casinos near the speedway. A 2007 law provides for 4 state-owned casinos-one each in four different casinos. The Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board will give the casino contracts for Wyandotte and Ford Counties September 18th, 2008-September 19th, 2008, after the hearings on September 2nd and September 3rd, 2008.
Just last week, it picked Harrah’s Entertainment Incorporated for Sumner County and Penn National Gaming for Cherokee County. A dozen other states feature commercial casino but Kansas is the only one with state-owned casinos.
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