Race weekend brings speed, crowds and big buzz to Wyandotte County

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Race weekend brought the roar of engines and a flood of fans to the Kansas Speedway, where thousands turned out for the AdventHealth 400.

With Kyle Larson taking the checkered flag in Sunday’s finish, the energy wasn’t just limited to the racetrack — it spilled out into the shops, restaurants, and streets of Wyandotte County.

The influx of visitors wasn’t just a win for NASCAR fans — it was a victory for local businesses, too. With Mother’s Day shoppers packing into the Legends and race day traffic pouring in, Wyandotte County was buzzing.

That momentum is part of a larger trend for the area, which just two decades ago was mostly open fields. Now, a destination and the next chapter could be even bigger.

Talk in town ranges from the highly anticipated opening of Margaritaville to the much-rumored possibility of the Kansas City Chiefs building a stadium on the Kansas side of the state line.

“Hopefully, the Chiefs stadium will be out here,” said Elmer Little. “I feel like it’d be nice to be in Kansas, and have everything.”

Others made the case even simpler.

“This is Kansas, no? Sylvester Williams said. “They’re the Kansas City Chiefs. Why not have them in Kansas?”

While the idea of touchdown es and tailgates in Wyandotte has fans fired up, not everyone is eager for the change.

“I don’t want the Chiefs to come out here,” Keisha Crim said.

But as the team weighs its future, other developments are moving full speed ahead. Margaritaville is nearly ready for guests, with all 228 rooms available to book now for a June stay.

“I’m excited to go try it,” said Gabriel Dominguez. “Maybe get a few of those margaritas I always hear about.”

Jason Ashley is already sold.

“Yeah, like the Margaritaville that caught [my eyes], a huge Buffett fan. I’m definitely going,” Ashley said.

Keisha Crim had just three words to add.

“Yes, Cheeseburgers in Paradise.”

And then there’s Buc-ee’s — the Texas-based travel center – a cult-favorite. It’s expected to break ground soon in Wyandotte, with construction slated to take two years.

“It’s better than Walmart,” said Sylvester Williams. “It’s bigger, there’s more stuff there.”

Elmer Little agreed, praising the store’s quirky appeal.

“The mascot is pretty cool, but I like how they make their own products. That’s a pretty unique thing,” Little said.

After race season, one of the next big events for the area is the world’s largest barbecue competition, hosted by the American Royal. It’s set to take over the speedway grounds in early November.

From NASCAR to Margaritaville – one thing’s clear. Wyandotte is in the driver’s seat — and it’s not slowing down.

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