HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Sprint cars and stock cars will take center stage at the Nex-Tech Grandstand this weekend as SaltCity Racing wraps up its 2025 season with the ASCS Fairground Showdown on Friday and Saturday nights at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
The two-night event will feature the ASCS National Sprint Car Tour along with Stock Car classes. Friday’s program pays $3,000 to win, while Saturday’s finale offers $5,000 to win in the 360 Sprint division.
“I can't believe we’re already talking about the last race of the year,” said SaltCity Racing founder Phil Nightingale. “It seems like we just got started. Time flies when you’re having fun.”
Nightingale said strong community support has helped the track grow each season.
“The support that Hutchinson and our sponsors have given to this racetrack has been huge,” he said. “You can see all the banners around the track, this whole town has rallied behind it. Each year gets a little better, and we’ve got some exciting plans for next year too.”
Both nights will feature the winged 360 sprint cars that made their Hutchinson return earlier this year.
“We’ve had the 305s quite a bit, but these 360s are a whole different animal,” Nightingale said. “They’re faster, they sound better, and when you’re sitting under that grandstand roof, it’s incredible.”
Friday’s schedule includes pits opening at 3 p.m., grandstands at 5 p.m., hot laps at 6:45, and racing at 7:30 p.m. Qualifiers from Friday will lock into Saturday’s main show. On Saturday, pits open at noon, gates at 5 p.m., hot laps begin at 6:30, and racing starts at 7 p.m.
Nightingale credited his team, including Nic Baalman, Kyler Fetters, and volunteers from across Kansas, for helping maintain and operate the fairgrounds track.
“It’s not just me,” Nightingale said. “It’s a whole team of people who make this happen. If anyone ever wants to know what it’s like to run a racetrack, come talk to me — I could write a book about it.”
Fans can purchase tickets at saltcityracingllc.com, at the west gate, or by scanning the QR code on the sign near the ticket booth to buy tickets online and skip the line.
“Grab your friends, family, and neighbors and come out tonight and tomorrow,” Nightingale said. “It’s going to be a fun weekend to wrap up another great season at the fairgrounds.”