Testing scheduled at Kentucky

From Jayski.

Speedway Motorsports Inc., the owner of the Kentucky Speedway, is putting the finishing touches on a repaving project that, while keeping the 1.5-mile tri-oval shape, has increased the banking in Turns 1 and 2 from 14 degrees to 17 degrees.

The project is also adding protective SAFER barrier across the entire outside wall of the track as well as the backstretch and the inside walls that NASCAR requires, plus addresses water drainage issues.

The first testing is set to begin on June 13, said general manager Mark Simendinger at the Kentucky Speedway Sprint Cup Series Victory Tour press conference Tuesday at the Horseshoe Casino downtown.

Sprint Cup driver Brad Keselowski, who has had few issues anytime he comes to Kentucky, was the main focus of the event.

"I think the track is really rough. It's hard to get a hold of and that's just a challenge we've embraced," said Keselowski. "It's interesting that the decision was made to make the two ends much different during the repave. That will certainly develop into this track's own character."

Mayor John Cranley proclaimed Wednesday as Brad Keselowski Day in Cincinnati. Keselowski received a handful of gifts as part of the honor, including a signed Reds batting helmet from second baseman Brandon Phillips, and a chunk of the old race track with a plaque honoring his accomplishments there.

Keselowski said it's premature to have any thoughts on just how the new configuration and pavement will play out.

Joey Lagano, Keselowski's teammate at Penske Racing, will handle the testing at Kentucky for all of the Penske cars.

From that testing, the teams will take the data collected and simulate how they think their cars will react when race night comes.