Kansas providing a tiny glimpse of what's to come (cont'd)

3. Kansas Speedway has received the go-ahead to build a new casino hotel, and wants a second race date no later than 2011. Should that happen, and if so, where does the date come from?

Raygan Swan: Well, it would give California enough time to prove whether or not their date change makes a difference. If not, take California's second date and give it to Kansas. I love casino hotels!

David Caraviello: I'll tell you what, the folks at Kansas have done just about everything right to this point. They didn't overbuild the facility, and they have a nice commercial area around the racetrack. They keep this up, they'll deserve a second date.

Mark Aumann: I would hate to see one of Martinsville's dates go out there. That would really be the end of an era.

Raygan Swan: If not California, then hit up Pocono. But you'll have to take on the family that owns it, first.

David Caraviello: Kansas says they want a second date by 2011. The brass at ISC loves that facility, so it's hard to imagine them not getting it. By then, we should know if California's new dates work out.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, that would make the most sense. Pocono still has good numbers.

David Caraviello: And you are Miss Pocono, aren't you, Raygan?

Raygan Swan: Yeah, and I have no idea how that happened, but I'm trying to embrace the title.

Mark Aumann: I hate to say it, but I'd rather see how Iowa's Nationwide date works out before going twice to Kansas. And if I'm Las Vegas, I'd like a little more love.

Raygan Swan: As for Vegas, David tell 'em about the cautionary tale.

David Caraviello: I'll tell you what, I went to Kansas the first time prepared to not like the place, with all I'd heard about eminent domain and the sweetheart deals they used to secure some of the land for that racetrack. But then I got out there, and it blew me away. It really is a blueprint for the future. A Chipotle within walking distance from a racetrack! Amazing!

Mark Aumann: The restaurants in Kansas City are outstanding.

Raygan Swan: Umm, I've never been there, thanks guys. I'll just go watch Ellen now if that's OK.

David Caraviello: And Raygan, as for that Las Vegas cautionary tale ... everything looked swimmingly in California until they got their second date, too. Las Vegas has a looooot of seats. Kansas, from a seating capacity standpoint, is smaller than many SEC football stadiums. They did it right out there. Though I believe they make people buy season ticket packages, which many fans don't like. Yet that's no different than in other sports.

Mark Aumann: That's the real caveat for me. I saw a lot of empty seats at Daytona in July, California in September, and wonder -- is two races just too many in this economy? Can the fan base support it?

David Caraviello: Yeah, Mark, you wonder if it's the economy, or a permanent turning of the tide. Maybe some of these overbuilt megatracks are never going to see sellouts again.

Mark Aumann: The advantage Kansas has is a lack of other nearby tracks and competition for the public's money.

David Caraviello: Correct, though K.C. is a big-league market. But as for other major racetracks ... you have to drive a while to find one.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, unlike California, which has a million things to do.

David Caraviello: Hey, I thought you were watching Ellen?

Raygan Swan: Commercial.

Mark Aumann: Well, you could dispute your argument with the Royals and Chiefs right now, but I'm all for a second trip to stock up on K.C. Masterpiece. And Arthur Bryant's.

David Caraviello: That's true, Mark. They are stretching the definition of "big league." All right, time for us to close it out. It's almost time for Extreme Akim, and you know Raygan doesn't miss that.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.