KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A 1945 LIFE magazine photograph of a sailor stamping a masterly kiss on a nurse in Times Square on V-J Day is one of the world's most recognized images. On Friday, photographs of NASCAR families at Kansas Speedway could be the next American treasures.

Kansas Speedway is featured in the most recent issue of LIFE magazine, which arrives in more than 70 leading newspaper nationwide Friday. All the shots for "While Daddy's Driving," a photo essay by renowned photographer Harry Benson, depict special moments between some of NASCAR's drivers and their families. All of the photographs were taken at "The Track That Will Blow You Away!" prior to October's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Banquet 400.

"The photos and stories in LIFE magazine have touched millions of people over the years, so it's exciting to think that Kansas Speedway will be a part of an iconic tradition the likes of LIFE," speedway President Jeff Boerger said. "Mr. Benson's photographs throughout the years have been both beautiful and memorable, so I can't wait to see the photos he took at Kansas Speedway."

LIFE is one of the world's most well-known magazines. The weekly magazine was first printed in 1936. It ceased publication in 1972, only to return as a monthly magazine from 1978-2000. Now, LIFE is distributed every week in more than 70 of the nation's leading newspapers. It has a combined circulation of about 12 million readers, but has a readership of 25 million.

The LIFE centerpiece at Kansas Speedway will be published locally in the Kansas City Star and the Olathe News. Regionally, look for LIFE in the Wichita Eagle and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. For a complete listing of newspapers in your area which feature LIFE, please log onto www.life.com.

To purchase your RPM Ticket to Kansas Speedway, please click, call or come by Kansas Speedway at www.kansasspeedway.com; 866.460.RACE; or 400 Speedway Blvd., Kansas City, Kan. The 2005 RPM Ticket includes admission to five races, including the fourth race in NASCAR's Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, the Banquet 400 on Oct. 9. Here is the complete racing calendar:

* July 2, 2005: ARCA RE/MAX Series Kansas Lottery $200 Grand
* July 2, 2005: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 250
* July 3, 2005: Indy Racing League IndyCar Series ARGENT MORTGAGE Indy 300
* Oct. 8, 2005: NASCAR Busch Series 300-mile race
* Oct. 9, 2005: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods