Colorado National Speedway facts for kids

Colorado National Speedway is a paved oval in Dacono, Colorado spanning 0.375 miles (0.604 km). The track is currently a member of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series and hosts the ARCA Menards Series West (former NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), the King of the Wing Sprint Car Series, and the North American Big Rig Racing Series annually.

History

Founded in 1965 by Gene and Gerda Heffley, Colorado National Speedway sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains at Exit 232 off of I-25. Each summer, CNS hosts some of the best local racing in the country; along with several national touring series, car and motorcycle shows, swap meets, and an annual Father's Day Sunday Super Show featuring Monster Trucks, Stunt Bikes, and more. The Speedway opens for practice in April, racing begins in May, and events run through October. CNS is known locally for outstanding food, affordable tickets, and Northern Colorado's best fireworks display on holiday and special race events.

CNS hosted the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series during its first three seasons, 1995 through 1997. The 1995 Total Petroleum 200 featured a last lap battle where Butch Miller edged out Mike Skinner by .001 second for his only series win. This is listed as the closest finish in series history, although the video replay of the race may dispute that measurement. The 1996 Colorado 200 saw Skinner dominate leading the final 220 laps and beat Miller by .7 seconds. Ron Hornaday, Jr. won the final race in 1997.

For the 1998 season, Colorado was dropped from the schedule in favor of Pikes Peak International Raceway in Colorado Springs, which hosted the series until 2002.

The ARCA Menards Series West has raced at Colorado 17 times since 1995 with Chris Eggleston with three wins is the driver with the most-series wins at the track.

In 2019, the track was repaved.

NASCAR Midwest Series ran 9 races at the speedway, from 1999 through 2006. Also NASCAR Southwest Series hosted 20 events at the track between 1992 and 2006.