NASCAR Apologizes For Kentucky Traffic Jam

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The long-awaited NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Kentucky Speedway has veered into state politics after the massive traffic jam left some fans stuck in their cars listening to the race on radio. Two days after the race, Republican gubernatorial candidate David Williams called the traffic gridlock a national embarrassment. On Monday he called for legislative hearings to review the traffic situation at the northern Kentucky track. The backups stretched for miles at the Saturday night event. Frustrated ticketholders lit up social networks to vent their anger at missing all or part of the race. Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who is being challenged by Williams in the November election, has touted Kentucky landing the race. Beshear says he is putting together a team of state and local officials to make improvements. Kentucky Speedway is offering a ticket exchange to fans who were stuck in traffic and missed the inaugural Sprint Cup Series race at the track. Speedway Motorsports Inc. President Marcus Smith says fans can swap their unused Kentucky tickets for entry to events at any 2011 race at an SMI track. The tickets can also be used to enter 2012 race at Kentucky. Traffic jams before Saturday night’s Cup race left fans idling in their cars for hours as they attempted to get into the track. Many fans said once they did get to the gate, they were turned away by police because the track had no more parking spaces. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.