SPARTA, Ky. — The Kentucky Speedway announced Tuesday the new sponsor partnership of its NASCAR Busch Grand National Series race and unveiled a new polymer asphalt surface for the 2-year-old track.

        The Busch Series race, the Kroger 300 Presented by Oreo, will be June 15 at the Gallatin County track. Oreo replaces Outback Steakhouse as the presenting sponsor.

        “This is the kind of sponsor you want,” said Jerry Carroll, Speedway co-owner and chairman. “This'll be big-time. Plus, it's a national scene; Nabisco (makers of Oreo) and Kroger are together on this.”

        Kroger is title sponsor for the Kroger 225 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

        The racing surface has been re-paved and there's a $1.4 million drainage system and a new Interstate 71 interchange (exit 55) 2miles south of the track. Andy Vertrees, the track's director of operations, believes the new surface will please drivers.

        After an Indy Racing League event last summer, drivers of the open-wheeled cars told track officials there were small “voids” — pockets of air or pebbles — in the racing surface.

        Stock cars, which travel about 180 mph, can handle that, but Indy cars, which zoom by at about 220 mph, often have trouble.

        Vertrees also said water had seeped under the old track. He said the new $500,000 surface is a polymer asphalt that is more water-resistant and quicker to dry after a rain.

        “It's a very abrasive surface,” Vertrees said. “We've put in a whole new track. It's a tighter mix that lets less water in it. We think teams will like it.”

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