The speedway in its current form is measured at 1.5 miles (2.4 km), with the track having a progressive banking system in the turns.

[9] The Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway was approved in 2009 after an initial failed attempt by the track and the Cordish Corporation the previous year.

[11] The casino overlooks the track's second turn, features a 268,000 square foot complex, and is themed after the Hollywood area in Los Angeles, California.

[24] At the end of negotiations in October, the plot of land near I-70 and I-435 was chosen, with initial plans stating to sit 75,000 with room to expand to 150,000.

[27] When final negotiations were completed, the project cost later increased to over $252 million,[28] with ISC being offered a tax break until 2027 barring a change in Kansas law; a proposed bill planned to extend the abatement period from 20 years to 30.

As a result, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City made incentive offers to get homeowners to move out of the area.

[35] By July, the government was considering using the power of eminent domain, with local Kansas law declaring that condemnation could be used if the area is within a "major tourism district".

[36] On July 10, the Kansas Supreme Court unanimously decided with ISC and Unified, basing their opinion with the Fifth Amendment in their ruling.

[40] In response, ISC and Unified made efforts to buy up property for a combined total of around $13 million, with the issue considered settled.

[49] However, an opening date for the track was not stated by Lesa France Kennedy, the executive vice president of ISC.

[50] Although construction had started several months earlier in September, the project was delayed to the point where chances of an opening date in 2000 were "very small" according to ISC's Grant Lynch.

[61] Despite the delays, construction was viewed with "high hopes" by ISC, with the final budget for the track being touted as $287 million in November 1999.

[68] Two months later, the track's opening date was moved back to June 2, 2001, with a new race weekend for ARCA and the NASCAR Winston West Series being announced.

[69][70] By February 2001, a new $236.6 million retail outlet development was announced to be built upon 250 acres of land surrounding the track, with an opening date slated for 2002.

[73] In a groundbreaking celebration on May 25, 1999, the track received positive reviews from drivers Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace, and Ken Schrader.

[80] In September, the track was able to hold its first Winston Cup Series race, with Jeff Gordon winning the inaugural event.

[81] The next year, Lynch stepped down from his position, giving control of the track to vice president Jeff Boerger.

[84] Starting in 2004, proposals by the Kickapoo tribe and the Sac and Fox Nation to build a state-regulated casino at a budget of $210 million west of the track were made to the Kansas Legislature.

[86][87] By March 2005, Doug Mays, speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, declared that the tribes' compact was killed in the current session unless they allowed the state to inspect slot machines.

[96] The next month, Las Vegas Sands opted to submit their proposal despite Kansas Lottery refusing to hear it.

[101] Three days before the decision, Pinnacle withdrew their proposal as part of consequences of Unified Government officials appearing in a promotional video along with stagnation in the United States' economy.

[111] By May, the Kansas Speedway partnership and Penn Entertainment's proposals managed to advance further into the planning stages.

[11] As a result of the buyout, the Hard Rock branding was scrapped in favor of a Hollywood-themed casino, with an approval decision for the new $521 million proposal to come in December.

[114] On December 1, the Kansas Lottery approved the proposal without the hotel at a budget of $386 million, with a planned opening date in early 2012.

[10] The project was given the final go-ahead in February 2010, when the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission signed off licensing background checks.

[117] On April 28, the final casino plan was announced, calling for around 2,300 slot machines, around 1,050 employees, and a 300-room hotel expansion on a 268,000 square foot plot of land.

[124] In 2012, the Rolex Sports Car Series announced that they would run a Grand Prix event at the newly-constructed road course at the track.

The event was first announced on April 26, 2011,[138] and was held in August; the inaugural festival featured acts such as Eminem, The Flaming Lips, Kid Cudi, Primus, and others.