The Kansas Speedway repave is finally completed. Drivers and teams had the opportunity to see the difference in the newly surfaced track which NASCAR has raced on since 2001.

Teams had the opportunity on Wednesday and Thursday to have multiple test sessions, trying out the new surface for the first time.

Kansas Speedway’s track record, held by Matt Kenseth, is set at 180.856 mph, or 29.858 seconds. That record will be shattered completely this weekend as teams are setting a staggering pace at the Kansas Speedway.

Regan Smith, who is replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr. still this weekend, set the top speed during Thursday’s test session. Smith set a fastest lap nearly in the 28 second bracket with a time of 29.010 seconds, barely edging out Mark Martin as well as Greg Biffle.

The high speeds at the track were a cause for concern for engine builders. Two cars had engine issues including Casey Mears and Tony Stewart.

Mears had two separate incidents where his car was mysteriously leaking oil on the track which paused the competition for several minutes as track crews cleaned up the mess. His Germain Racing crew had to put the car in the hauler and use the car they had prepared for Sunday’s event.

Stewart blew an engine and as a result, swapped motors in his Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet which gets their engines from Hendrick Motorsports.

Denny Hamlin also wrecked during the test session as his car sustained major damage.

The Sprint Cup Series wasn’t the only one that was on track on Thursday as the Nationwide Series hit the new pavement as well.

Kevin Harvick led the way for NASCAR’s second tier series with a lap just under 180 mph.

Points leader, Elliott Sadler, ended the day in the seventh position, just behind series runner-up, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Sadler was the third fastest car in a ten-lap average. He trailed Kyle Busch and Kenny Wallace in that category.

This weekend’s races at the Kansas Speedway are a sure thing to be an extra wild card race for both national series as the track is unpredictable. It is unknown what changes which the track will face as teams continue to be impressed by the amount of grip on the speedway.