Keselowski returns to Nationwide racing

Combined dispatches

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Brad Keselowski will return to the Nationwide Series this week at Atlanta after missing the last five races with a broken ankle.

Keselowski, the defending Nationwide champion, has not raced in that series since breaking his ankle in a crash during a test session earlier this month at Road Atlanta.

He did not miss any Sprint Cup Series events during the stretch. Since the injury, Keselowski has two wins, a second and a third in four Cup races.

He’s charged through the series standings, too. Keselowski’s victory at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night moved him to 11th in the standings, a step closer toward a berth in Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Kentucky changes

SPARTA, KY.

Kentucky Speedway has purchased a 143-acre parcel of land across the street from track property as part of a $7.5 million infrastructure improvement plan to help resolve traffic and parking problems that plagued the track’s inaugural Sprint Cup race July 9.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has pledged $3.6 million in improvements to complement the track’s efforts.

Traffic backups of up to six hours kept thousands from getting to the track for the race.

“We learned meaningful lessons during our inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend, and we are committed that the traffic congestion that occurred on race day would not happen again,” Kentucky Speedway general manager Mark Simendinger said

The new parcel should add about 11,000 parking spots to the current 33,000.

The projects include improvements to Interstate 71 and Kentucky State Road 35 (the road the track is on). The work is expected to be completed by the race next summer.