Quaker State 400
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
VenueKentucky Speedway
LocationSparta, Kentucky, United States
Corporate sponsorQuaker State
First race2011
Distance400.5 miles (644.542 km)
Laps267 (Stage 1: 80
Stage 2: 80
Stage 3: 107)
Most wins (driver)Brad Keselowski (3)
Most wins (team)Joe Gibbs Racing
Team Penske (3)
Most wins (manufacturer)Toyota (5)
Circuit information
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.5 mi (2.4 km)
Turns4

The Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart, commonly known as the Quaker State 400, is a 400.5 miles (644.54 km) annual Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky, It is held as the nineteenth race of the season and is held in conjunction with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Camping World Truck Series, The inaugural event was held on July 9, 2011 and was won by Kyle Busch, From 2012 to 2014, the race has been held before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Independence Day weekend, From 2015 to 2017, The race moved back two weeks preceding Daytona and New Hampshire, In 2018, the race became the 19th race of the season as the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway which became the 20th race of the season.

Martin Truex Jr. enters as defending winner.

History

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The event eventuated a lawsuit in which Kentucky Speedway claimed NASCAR had violated federal antitrust laws in 2005. In 2008, The speedway was sold to Bruton Smith, hoping that the track could hold a race by 2011 and after four years, the former speedway owners abandoned the lawsuit.[1] In August 2010, NASCAR announced that the track could hold a Cup Series event in 2011.[2] Seven months later, Royal Dutch Shell's Quaker State brand was announced to sponsor the 267-lap race[3] held on July 9, 2011, and was won by Kyle Busch. The race was plagued by a massive traffic problem where many of the fans were expected to attend the race were turned away after several hours on Interstate 71. Following the problem, Kentucky Speedway announced that they bought more land for parking and began to work with the state government to improve the track around the speedway in time for the 2012 race.[4][5][6]

New aero package for 2015

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On June 16, 2015, NASCAR announced a new aero package would be used for the 2015 race. [7] The changes include a smaller rear spoiler and other adjustments that significantly reduced aerodynamic downforce. The spoiler was decreased to 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) tall, There was also a 25 in (63.50 cm) wide splitter extension.[7] In addition, Tires supplied to Goodyear provided drivers with more grip.[7] "We want to see more load changes on the racetrack", NASCAR Executive Vice-President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell said in a media teleconference, "We will evaluate and a number of factors coming out of Kentucky, and see what we can learn and implement down the road".[7] Originally, the package was to be used at last year's All Star Race, but the plan was scrubbed and NASCAR opted to use the package for a points race.[7] "Let me be clear. This is not a test, this is a race" O'Donnell said of the rules package will be in effect for the 18th round of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "We had an extensive testing plan with this industry over the past 18 months. We couldn't implement this if we didn't feel confident as an industry to implement it at Kentucky.[7]

Trophy

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Since 2015, the race trophy has been in the form of a Crosley jukebox.[8]

Past winners

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Year Date Winner Start Manufacturer Cautions/Laps Lead changes Number of cars Laps Miles Speed
2011 July 9 Kyle Busch 1st Toyota 6/32 20 43 267 400.5 mi (644.542 km) 137.314
2012 June 30 Brad Keselowski 8th Dodge 4/24 17 43 267 400.5 mi (644.542 km) 145.607
2013 June 30* Matt Kenseth 16th Toyota 10/42 11 43 267 400.5 mi (644.542 km) 131.948
2014 June 28 Brad Keselowski 1st Ford 6/34 12 43 267 400.5 mi (644.542 km) 139.723
2015 July 11 Kyle Busch 9th Toyota 11/49 13 43 267 400.5 mi (644.542 km) 129.402
2016 July 9 Brad Keselowski 2nd Ford 11/53 16 40 267 400.5 mi (644.542 km) 128.580
2017 July 8 Martin Truex Jr. 2nd Toyota 9/39 9 40 274* 411 mi (661.44 km) 138.604
2018 July 14 Martin Truex Jr. 1st Toyota 4/22 14 39 267 400.5 mi (644.542 km) 150.454

Notable moments

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References

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  1. Press, The Associated (December 18, 2009). "Former track owners abandon NASCAR lawsuit". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  2. Greer, Ronda (August 10, 2010). "Kentucky Speedway gets NASCAR Sprint Cup race in 2011". masslive.com. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  3. Cook, Zachary (March 6, 2011). "Quaker State to Sponsor Inaugural Kentucky Speedway Sprint Cup Series Race". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  4. Cook, Zachary (July 11, 2011). "Kentucky Speedway Officials Apologize After Traffic Jam Mars Inaugural Cup Race". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  5. Niemyer, Adam (July 11, 2011). "NASCAR President talks about Kentucky Speedway traffic". fox19.com. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  6. Clayborn, Cole (July 10, 2011). "Long waits in traffic to get to Kentucky Speedway frustrate NASCAR fans". kentucky. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Bianchi, Jordan (June 12, 2015). "NASCAR Kentucky Recap: New rules package creates excitement, hope". MRN.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  8. Hoffman, Jason (July 12, 2018). "Kentucky's NASCAR race has some pretty unique trophies". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  9. "Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site - 2011 Sprint Cup Series Schedule". www.jayski.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "NASCAR race results 2011 Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway". Fantacyracingcheatsheet.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  11. Gluck, Jeff (June 28, 2014). "Brad Keselowski wins at Kentucky, shows title form". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  12. Cook, Zachary (July 9, 2016). "Wreck ends hopes of big day at Kentucky Speedway". www.loves.com. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  13. Xchange, The Sports (July 9, 2017). "Truex dominates for NASCAR win in Kentucky". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved July 9, 2017.


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Coke Zero Sugar 400
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Quaker State 400
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Foxwoods Resort Casino 301