(Sparta, Ky.) - The Kentucky Speedway was built in 2000 with the hopes of attracting NASCAR’s premiere racing circuit to the Bluegrass.

A banner hanging from the Kentucky Speedway grandstand boasts the tracks' newly acquired Sprint Cup race. Larry Duke-Eagle 99.3

Eleven years and one drawn-out, unsuccessful lawsuit later, the track in Sparta will finally host a Sprint Cup race.

Track owner and Speedway Motorsports, Inc. chairman Bruton Smith was joined by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and former NASCAR driver Darrell Waltrip – an Owensboro, Ky. native - for the announcement beneath a white tent on a steamy Tuesday afternoon.

Smith said the race will be run under the lights at the speedway July 9, 2011. It will be a full weekend for the facility as it will host its usual Nationwide Series race the night before.

"Our goal as a company since we purchased Kentucky Speedway was to bring a Sprint Cup Series race to the passionate NASCAR fans in Kentucky and throughout the Midwest region," said Smith.

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Nearly $100 million in upgrades are planned for the 1.5-mile tri-oval track said Smith. The venue currently seats 66,000 people, but 50,000 new seats will be installed before the inaugural cup race.

There was even talk of adding an airport near the track in Gallatin County.

NASCAR’s entry into Kentucky marks its first Sprint Cup venture into a new market since Chicagoland Speedway was added to the calendar in 2001.

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. chairman Bruton Smith is joined by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, former driver Darrell Waltrip, former track owner Jerry Carroll and others during the Sprint Cup race announcement Tuesday in Sparta. Larry Duke-Eagle 99.3