2001 Protection One 400

The 2001 Protection One 400 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series stock car race held on September 30, 2001, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. The race was the 28th of the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. The race was the inaugural Cup race held at the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) track.[3] Jason Leffler from Chip Ganassi Racing won his first career pole position with a qualifying speed of 176.499 miles per hour (284.048 km/h). Penske Racing's Rusty Wallace led the most laps with 117, while Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won the race.[4]

2001 Protection One 400

Race details
Race 28 of 36 in the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Layout of Kansas Speedway
Date	September 30, 2001 (2001-09-30)
Location	Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas
Course	Permanent racing facility 1.5 mi (2.4 km)
Distance	267 laps, 400 mi (644.542 km)
Weather	Mild with temperatures of 73.9 °F (23.3 °C); wind speeds of 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)[1]
Average speed	110.576 mph (177.955 km/h)
Pole position
Driver	Jason Leffler	Chip Ganassi Racing
Most laps led
Driver	Rusty Wallace	Penske Racing
Laps	117
Winner
No. 24	Jeff Gordon	Hendrick Motorsports
Television in the United States
Network	NBC
Announcers	Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons, Wally Dallenbach, Jr.
Nielsen Ratings	4.7[2]

Due to the September 11 attacks happening earlier in the month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a no-fly zone, prohibiting aircraft from flying within three miles of any sporting event area, which also includes an altitude of 300 feet. To increase security, coolers and large bags were banned from the track, while other items like purses and binoculars were subject to inspection. Meanwhile, in a sense of patriotism after the attacks, Sterling Marlin ran a "God Bless America" paint scheme, which had not been prepared in time for the 2001 MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400 the week before. To support victims of the attacks, Marlin's sponsor Coors Brewing Company donated $10 for every lap completed at the race by Marlin.[4]