Motorsport in Illinois

Last updated

There has been auto racing in Illinois for almost as long as there have been automobiles. Almost every type of motorsport found in the United States can be found in Illinois. Both modern and historic tracks exist in Illinois, including NASCAR's Chicagoland Speedway and Gateway International Speedway. Notable drivers from Illinois include Danica Patrick, Tony Bettenhausen, and Fred Lorenzen.

Contents

Types of auto racing

Stock car racing

National stock car racing touring series (such as NASCAR Monster Energy Cup, ARCA, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and Craftsman Truck Series) race mainly on 4 tracks in Illinois: Chicagoland Speedway, near Chicago, Gateway International Speedway, Near St. Louis, and the mile dirt tracks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds near DuQuoin, Illinois.

Asphalt stock car racing is more prevalent in the northern part of Illinois with such tracks as Rockford Speedway or Grundy County Speedway. These tracks hold weekly racing programs, with Rockford's racing sanctioned by NASCAR's Weekly Racing Series. Regional to nationally known touring series, such as ARTGO and Mid American Stock Car Series have held special events these at both of these tracks.

Drag racing

Drag racing is fairly popular throughout Illinois, with both 1/4 and 1/8 mile tracks being found in the state. There are several National points events held in Illinois, as well as local weekly drag racing.

Off-road racing

Off-road racing can be found at temporary tracks at Route 66 Raceway to the permanent facilities at Lincoln Trail Motorsports Park.

Motorcycle racing

Motorcycle racing is held on permanent road-courses in northern Illinois, as well as motocross and hill climbs throughout the state. One of the most well-known motorcycle races in the U.S. can be found at the Illinois State Fairgrounds 1-mile (1.6 km) oval track.

Sports car racing

Several tracks host sports car racing in Illinois, although it is not prevalent with few road courses such as Blackhawk Farms Raceway.

Dirt oval racing

An Illinois Racing Series (IRS) midget car getting a push start KurtMayhewIlliniRacingSeries2009.jpg
An Illinois Racing Series (IRS) midget car getting a push start

Dirt track racing on oval circuits is probably one of the most prevalent forms of motorsports in Illinois. Track sizes vary from the short and tight 1/5 mile Macon Speedway to the 1-mile (1.6 km) ovals at Springfield and DuQuoin. The Illini Racing Series (IRS) races midget and dwarf cars at various tracks in northern Illinois plus Angell Park Speedway in Wisconsin.

Karting

Kart racing can be found throughout Illinois on both dirt and asphalt.

Notable tracks

Springfield Mile, Springfield

The one mile (1.6 km) dirt Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack in Springfield has had a long and varied past. Since before the inception of USAC, there have been Midgets, Sprints, and Silver Crown races at the "Monster Mile." The first incarnation of the track ran east–west. It now is raced north–south orientation. The Allen Crowe Memorial 100, named in honor of the Springfield resident, is held there every year during the Illinois State Fair. The race originated following the popular driver's death in 1963. USAC's Stock Car division sanctioned the race from 1963, until they ceased operations in 1984. The 1983 and 1984 races were co-sanctioned between ARCA and USAC. ARCA now sanctions this popular race. Until recently, the mile has hosted the United Midwestern Promoters UMP Fall Nationals for UMP Late Models. In the past, the mile has also hosted races sanctioned by the World of Outlaws. Many. many notable names have raced and won here, including Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt, Davey Allison, and Benny Parsons. The "Monster Mile" also hosts some of the most well-known flat track motorcycle races in the U.S. The AMA sanctioned races are held every May and September, and draw motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country.

Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet

Chicagoland Speedway is Illinois' only Superspeedway. It hosts races for NASCAR, ARCA, and IndyCar on its 1½ mile tri-oval. Chicagoland Speedway is the sister track to Route 66 Raceway, which boasts a 1/4-mile NHRA sanctioned dragstrip as well as a 1/2-mile dirt oval that has hosted World of Outlaws Late Models, Team Demolition Derbies, and off-road races sanctioned by CORR (at the time SODA).

Gateway International Raceway, Madison

Gateway International Raceway, located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, is another of Illinois' largest tracks. It host races sanctioned by NASCAR, INDYCAR, USAC, and NHRA. Gateway's configuration is unique in the turns 3 & 4 have a larger radius than turns 1 & 2. It has been likened to NASCAR's Darlington Raceway. At 1¼ miles, it is just shorter than Darlington. The facility has a 1/4-mile NHRA sanctioned dragstrip.

Macon Speedway, Macon

One of the shortest tracks in Illinois, the 1/5-mile Macon Speedway has played host to some of most famous names in motorsports. Created in 1946, it is also one of the oldest continuous operating speedways in Illinois. Built on an old brick factory, it was known for years as "The Other Brickyard," in reference to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway being known as "The Brickyard." Macon Speedway was owned and operated by the Webb family for many years, but has changed hands many times in the last 20 years. The Current owners are NASCAR stars Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Tony Stewart, and local promoter Bob Sargent.

Notable defunct tracks

Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Soldier Field was the site of numerous races. A 1/4 mile board track was built, and the first two midget car races at the track in 1939 were won by Sam Hanks. The track was also used for motorcycle races. The board track was removed and it was changed to a half-mile dirt oval track. In 1956, NASCAR swung through for its only race at Soldier Field. Twenty-five cars started the 200-lapper, with Fireball Roberts averaging 61.037 mph (98.230 km/h) to win $850. The racetrack was torn out in 1970.

O'Hare Stadium, Schiller Park, Illinois

O’Hare Stadium, part of the Chicagoland racing scene for 12 years, was located just southwest of the corner of Mannheim and Irving Park Road in Schiller Park. The speedway, which operated between 1956 through 1968, was initially surrounded by farm fields and was situated just south of Chicago's famed O’Hare International Airport. NASCAR sanctioned the late model racing at O’Hare in 1960 and 1961. With property values rising, the track, which also featured cadet (sportsman), figure eight, Volkswagen and midget racing over the years, was demolished weeks after the final race program on September 7, 1968.

Joe Shaheen's Springfield Speedway, Springfield, Illinois

Not to be confused with the mile track in Springfield, this now-defunct track was famous in the racing world as "the place to go race after the fair." Many famous and notable race drivers would run the USAC races at the fairgrounds, then trek across town to Shaheen's track to do more battle. Its configuration changed a few times over the years, with its final configuration being a 3/8 mile clay oval.

Santa Fe Speedway, Willow Springs, Illinois

This track, southwest of Chicago, was home to many of Chicagoland's drivers. Originally built for horses, cars took over as the main attraction in the 1920s. Later that same decade, a tornado took out the original grandstands, and the track was closed. After World War II, two new tracks were built on the site. One was a 7/16-mile oval, the other a 1/4 mile oval. This configuration was operational from 1953, until the site was sold for development in 1995. On July 10, 1954, NASCAR's Grand National Division (now known as the NASCAR Cup Series) made a stop at Santa Fe Speedway for a 200 lap race. The race was won by #3, Dick Rathman, in a 1954 Hudson Hornet. Over the years many famous names have raced there, including Benny Parsons, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Buddy Baker, Kyle Petty, Kenny Roberts, Ramo Stott and Tony Stewart.

Today, the site of this former track is home to a relatively upscale multi-family housing complex just south of 91st street in Burr Ridge, IL.

Meadowdale International Raceway

Meadowdale International Raceway was a road course located near Carpentersville, Illinois. It was used for motor racing from 1958 to 1968. Sanctioning bodies complained about its safety. It closed in 1968 in part from competition from other road courses in the regional (Road America and Blackhawk Farms Raceway).

List of notable Illinois race car drivers

This is a list of race car drivers from Illinois that have raced in a major touring series, and have held a full-time position there. These series include NASCAR's Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and Xfinity Series, USAC Indy Cars, the IRL or Champ Car Series, ARCA, or one of the major off-road racing sanctioning bodies.

Other drivers include "Chicago Gang" midget car racing drivers Emil Andres and Jimmy Snyder (who won the pole position for the 1939 Indianapolis 500). Chicago-born Billy Arnold won the 1930 Indy 500. Another driver from Illinois was Shorty Cantlon, who was killed during the 1947 Indianapolis 500 in his 11th appearance in that race. Chicago-born Louis Disbrow competed in four Indy 500s.

NameHometownRacing Series
Justin Allgaier Spaulding, Illinois ARCA, NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Chuck Baird Assumption, Illinois IHRA
Gary Bettenhausen Blue Island, Illinois USAC Championship Car, NASCAR Cup Series, ARCA Menards Series
Merle Bettenhausen Tinley Park, Illinois USAC Championship Car
Tony Bettenhausen Tinley Park, Illinois AAA, USAC Championship Car, Formula 1
Tony Bettenhausen Jr. Joliet, Illinois Champ Car, NASCAR Cup Series, Championship Auto Racing Teams
Joe Cooksey Centralia, Illinois ARCA, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Allen Crowe Springfield, Illinois USAC Championship Car
Bay Darnell Lake Bluff, Illinois USAC Stock Car, NASCAR Cup Series, ARCA Menards Series
Erik Darnell Beach Park, Illinois NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA Menards Series
Bob Dotter Chicago, Illinois NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA
Bobby Dotter Chicago, Illinois ASA, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA
Randy Eller Taylorville, Illinois CORR, WSORR
Steve Federico Willmette, Illinois CORR, WSORR
Lou Fegers Glenview, Illinois USAC, IMCA
Aaron Fike Galesburg, Illinois NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA
A. J. Fike Galesburg, Illinois NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Steve Fossett Chicago, Illinois 24 hours of Le Mans, Paris to Dakar Rally
Rich HayesSpringfield, IllinoisARCA
Irv Hoerr Peoria, Illinois IMSA, NASCAR
Fred Lorenzen Elmhurst, Illinois NASCAR, USAC Stock Car
Phillip McGilton Marion, Illinois ARCA, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Danica Patrick Roscoe, Illinois Indy Racing League NASCAR Nationwide Series ARCA
Tony Schumacher Long Grove, Illinois NHRA
Eric Smith Bloomington, Illinois ARCA, UMP
Bob Strait Mokena, Illinois ARCA, ASA, NCTS, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Scott Taylor Belvidere, Illinois SODA, CORR, WSORR, Traxxas TORC Series
Bill Venturini (Retired) Chicago, Illinois ARCA
Billy Venturini Chicago, Illinois ARCA
Rich Vogler Chicago, Illinois USAC Sprint Cars, USAC Midgets
Mark Voigt Marine, Illinois NASCAR, ARCA, UMP
Bobby Wawak Villa Park, Illinois NASCAR, USAC Stock Car
Tim Wilkerson Springfield, Illinois NHRA
Steve Cannon Danville, Illinois USAC
Larry Cannon Danville, Illinois USAC

Other notable racing figures

NameHometownSeries/Team/Notoriety
Drew Blickensderfer Mt. Zion, Illinois Crew Chief for Roush-Fenway Racing #17
John Darby Rockford, Illinois NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Competition Director
Jan Gabriel Palos Heights, Illinois Announcer at Santa Fe Speedway, host of The Super Chargers Show, founder of Team Demo Association. Popularized "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!" catchphrase in ads for U.S. 30 Drag Strip.
Mike Joy (b)Chicago, Illinois On-Air announcer for SPEED-TV, Fox Sports, and both the Motor Racing Network and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Networks. Formerly with CBS Sports.
Chad Knaus Rockford, Illinois Crew Chief for Hendrick Motorsports #48. Father was driver at Rockford, was his crew chief.
Rick Ren Danville, Illinois Kyle Busch Motorsports Director of Racing Operations
Wendy Venturini (b)Chicago, Illinois On-air personality for Speed-TV NASCAR Pre-race show. Daughter of Bill and sister of Billy.
Hal Pilger Springfield, Illinois Motorsports writer for The State Journal-Register newspaper.

Tracks in Illinois

Asphalt Oval

Track NameLocationLengthSanctionProgram
Chicagoland Speedway Joliet, Illinois 1.5 Miles NASCAR, ARCA, IRL, USAC Major League auto racing. NASCAR Sprint Cup, ARCA Re/Max series, and the IRL all hold points races here.
Gateway International Raceway Madison, Illinois 1.25 MilesNo NASCAR Events in 2011
Grundy County Speedway Morris, Illinois 1/3 MileUnaffillated Late Models, Mid-Am (unsanctioned), Street & Pure Stocks, STARS Midgets, Classic Modifieds, INEX Legends, CSR Super Cups, and Legacy Midwest Series
I-70 QMA Greenville, Illinois 1/10 Mile QMA QMA Quarter Midgets
Rockford Speedway Loves Park, Illinois (Rockford)1/4 Mile NASCAR NASCAR Late Models, NASCAR Grand Nationals, NASCAR Short Trackers, NASCAR Road Runners, Winged Women on Wheels, National Figure 8 League, Hornets, Super Cups

Dirt Oval

Track NameLocationLengthSanctionProgram
Belle-Claire Speedway Belleville, Illinois 1/5 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Late Models, Modifieds, Pro Modifieds, Pure Stocks, 600cc Micro Sprints, Midgets, Hornets
Bureau County Speedway Princeton, Illinois 3/8 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMPLate Models, Modifieds, B-Modifieds, Street Stocks, Hornets
Charleston Speedway Charleston, Illinois 3/8 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Modifieds, Super Streets, Hornets
Clay County Speedway Flora, Illinois 1/3 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Modifieds
Faribury American Legion Speedway Fairbury, Illinois 1/4 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Late Models, Modifieds and Sportsman
Fayette County Speedway Brownstown, Illinois 3/8 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Modifieds, Sportsman
Farmer City Speedway Farmer City, Illinois 1/4 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman
Freeport Raceway Park Freeport, Illinois 1/2 MileClosed after the 2011 season [1] Late Models, Modifieds, B-Modifieds, Sportsman, Hobby Stock, Pure Stock, and Hornets
Highland Speedway Highland, Illinois 1/4 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman
Jacksonville SpeedwayJacksonville, Illinois3/8 MileWoO Sprints, MOWA Sprints, 410 / 305 Sprints, Late Models, Modifieds, Midgets, Street Stock, Micros
LaSalle Speedway LaSalle, Illinois 1/4 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, & 4 Cyl. Hornets
Macon Speedway Macon, Illinois 1/5 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Late Models, Sportsman, Hornets, Street Stocks, 600cc Micro Sprints, and CARS Late Models
Lincoln Speedway Lincoln, Illinois 1/4 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman
Peoria Speedway Peoria, Illinois 1/4 Mile United Midwestern Promoters Late Models, Sportsman, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Hornets
Quad City Speedway East Moline, Illinois 1/4 Mile International Motor Contest Association Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, A Modifieds, Street Stock, 4 Cylinders
Quincy Raceway Quincy, Illinois 1/4 MileLate models, Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Hornets
Shepp's SpeedwayAlexander (New Berlin), Illinois 1/4 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Late models, UMP Sportsman, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks,
Spoon River SpeedwayBanner (Southeast of Canton)3/8 Mile United Midwestern Promoters UMP Modified, UMP Pro Late Model, UMP Pro Modified, UMP 4-cyl
Southern Illinois Speedway Marion, Illinois 1/8 MileMicro-sprints (High Banks Hustle, Terry Sprague Memorial)
Southern Illinois State Fairgrounds DuQuoin, Illinois 1 Mile ARCA, USAC, AMA ARCA Re/Max Series, USAC Midgets, Sprints, and Silver Crown, UMP Sportsman, AMA Grand National Flat Track.
Springfield Mile Springfield, Illinois 1 Mile ARCA, USAC, AMA ARCA Re/Max Series, USAC Midgets, Sprints, and Silver Crown, UMP Sportsman, AMA Grand National Flat Track.

Drag Strips

Track NameLocationLengthSanctionProgram
Gateway International Raceway Madison, Illinois 1/4 (.25) Mile NHRA NHRA National Series
Motion Raceway Assumption, Illinois 1,000 feet (300 m)UnaffilliatedNone. 2008 season never materialized, track remains closed.
Byron Dragway Byron, Illinois 1/4 Mile IHRA Super Pro, Pro, Street, Cycle, Jr. Dragster
Coles County Dragway Charleston, Illinois 1/8 Mile NHRA Super Pro, Pro, Street, Cycle, Jr. Dragster
Cordova Dragway Park Cordova, Illinois 1/4 Mile NHRA Top Eliminator, Modified, True Street, Super ET, Pro Bikes, Jr. Dragster
I-57 Dragstrip Benton, Illinois 1/8 Mile NHRA Super Pro, Pro, Footbrake, Trophy Street, King of the Street, Dixie Doorslammers, Outlaw Streetcars, Jr. Dragsters, and street bikes
MidState Dragway Havana, Illinois 1/8 Mile NHRA Super Pro, Pro, Street, Cycle, Jr Dragster
Route 66 Raceway Joliet, Illinois 1/4 Mile NHRA NHRA National Series

Road Courses

Track NameLocationLengthSanctionProgram
Autobahn Country Club Joliet, Illinois 1.5, 2.06, 3.56, and .8 miles (1.3 km) SCCA, NASA Various racing programs
Blackhawk Farms Raceway South Beloit, Illinois 1.95 miles (3.14 km) SCCA, Midwestern Council, VSCDA, and SVRAVarious racing programs
Concept Haulers Motor Speedway Norway, Illinois Multiple tracks WKA Multiple classes
Gateway International Raceway Madison, Illinois 1.77 MileUnaffilliatedNone at present time
Meadowdale International Raceway Carpentersville, Illinois 3.27 miles (5.26 km) SCCA, USAC, AMA, karting Various racing programs between 1958 and 1968, now a park

Motocross Tracks

Track NameLocationLengthSanctionProgram
Belleville Enduro Team Belleville, Illinois Multiple tracks AMA Various programs throughout the year
Motosports Park Byron, Illinois Multiple Tracks AMA Various programs throughout the year
Lincoln Trail Motosports Casey, Illinois Multiple tracks AMA Various programs throughout the year
South Fork Dirt Riders Taylorville, Illinois Multiple Tracks AMA Various programs throughout the year
Triple R Motocross Nashville, Illinois Multiple tracks AMA Various programs throughout the year

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park</span> Motorsport track in the United States

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is an auto racing facility in Brownsburg, Indiana, about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Indianapolis. It includes a 0.686 mi (1.104 km) oval track, a 2.500 mi (4.023 km) road course, and a 4,400-foot (1,300 m) drag strip which is among the premier drag racing venues in the world. The complex receives about 500,000 visitors annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oval track racing</span> Form of auto racing track

Oval track racing is a form of motorsport that is contested on an oval-shaped race track. An oval track differs from a road course in that the layout resembles an oval with turns in only one direction, and the direction of traffic is almost universally counter-clockwise. Oval tracks are dedicated motorsport circuits, used predominantly in the United States. They often have banked turns and some, despite the name, are not precisely oval, and the shape of the track can vary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gateway Motorsports Park</span> Motorsport track in Madison, IL, US

Gateway Motorsports Park is a motorsport racing facility in Madison, Illinois, just east of St. Louis, close to the Gateway Arch. It features a 1.250 mi (2.012 km) oval that hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the NTT IndyCar Series, a 2.000 mi (3.219 km) infield road course used by SpeedTour TransAm, SCCA, and Porsche Club of America, a quarter-mile NHRA-sanctioned drag strip that hosts the annual NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals event, and the Kartplex, a state-of-the-art karting facility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ascot Park (speedway)</span> Former dirt race track

Ascot Park, first named Los Angeles Speedway and later New Ascot Stadium, was a dirt racetrack located near Gardena, California. Ascot Park was open between 1957 and 1990. The track held numerous United States Auto Club (USAC) national tour races and three NASCAR Grand National races. The Turkey Night Grand Prix was held at the track for several decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Route 66 Raceway</span> Drag race facility in Joliet, Illinois

Route 66 Raceway is a motorsports facility located in Joliet, Illinois, United States, which consists of a 0.25-mile (0.40 km) dragstrip and a 0.375-mile (0.604 km) dirt oval racetrack. The facility is owned and operated by NASCAR and is located adjacent to Chicagoland Speedway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway</span> Motorsport track in the United States

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is a motorsport racetrack located at the Nashville Fairgrounds near downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The track is the second-oldest continually operating track in the United States. The track held NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup races from 1958 to 1984.

Concord Speedway was a motorsports facility located in the town of Midland, North Carolina, southeast of Concord, North Carolina. The complex featured a 12-mile asphalt tri-oval and a 14-mile asphalt oval.

Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack is a one mile long clay oval motor racetrack on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, the state capital. It is frequently nicknamed The Springfield Mile. Constructed in the late 19th century and reconstructed in 1927, the track has hosted competitive auto racing since 1910, making it one of the oldest speedways in the United States. The original mile track utilized the current frontstretch and the other side was behind the current grandstands and the straightaways were connected by tight turns. It is the oldest track to continually host national championship dirt track racing, holding its first national championship race in 1934 under the American Automobile Association banner. It is the home of five world records for automobile racing, making it one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world. Since 1993, the venue is managed by Bob Sargent's Track Enterprises.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I-70 Motorsports Park</span> Racetrack

I-70 Motorsports Park, formally known as I-70 Speedway, is a multi-purpose motorsports facility near Interstate 70 east of Odessa, Missouri, USA. The track, first opened in 1969, was open yearly until its closure in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenton Speedway</span> Motorsport venue in Trenton, New Jersey, United States

Trenton Speedway was a racing facility located near Trenton, New Jersey at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Races for the United States' premier open-wheel and full-bodied racing series of the times were held at Trenton Speedway.

Selinsgrove Speedway is a 0.5 mi (0.80 km) high-banked clay dirt oval south of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.

Website
Speedway History

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flemington Speedway</span> Racetrack

Flemington Speedway was a motor racing circuit in Flemington, New Jersey which operated from 1915 to 2002. The track was once known for being the fastest 5/8 dirt track in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macon Speedway</span>

Macon Speedway, located in Macon, Illinois is one of Illinois's premier dirt ovals. It is also one of the longest continuously-operating racetracks in the state.

Canfield Speedway is a half mile dirt oval racetrack that hosted (major) sanctioned auto racing from 1950 to 1964, but other associations ran until the late 1970s. There was also a 1/4 mile dirt racing surface that shared the front stretch with the 1/2 mile track. It was used until the track was closed to auto racing in 1973. Attendance varied from 30,000 people for larger events to 10,000 people for ones of less significance. The track is located at the Canfield Fairgrounds in Canfield, Ohio, and is still in use today, primarily during the Canfield Fair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockford Speedway</span> Racetrack

Rockford Speedway is a 1/4 mile short track high banked asphalt oval located in Loves Park, Illinois on Illinois Route 173. Rockford Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, and World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway are the only racetracks running under NASCAR sanctions in Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AAA and USAC Stock Car</span> Motorsports sanctioning body

The USAC Stock Car division was the stock car racing class sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC). The division raced nationally; drivers from USAC's open wheel classes like Indy cars, Silver Crown, sprints, and midgets frequently competed in races and won championships. Several NASCAR drivers raced in USAC Stock Cars at various points in their careers.

Bay Darnell was an American racing driver from Lake Bluff, Illinois. He raced mainly in USAC Stock Cars, but he did have a few Indy Car and NASCAR Grand National Series starts. His grandson Erik Darnell is a current NASCAR driver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Swindell</span> American racing driver

Kevin Swindell is an American racing driver and entrepreneur, who has competed in USAC and NASCAR competition. He has won 77 races in various dirt racing series including the Chili Bowl Nationals. Swindell is the son of three time World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion Sammy Swindell. Swindell owns and operates Swindell Speedlab, a clothing brand as well as Victory Fuel, a brand of flavored water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hagerstown Speedway</span> Auto-racing track in Maryland, US

Hagerstown Speedway is a 0.5-mile-long (0.80 km) red clay oval auto-racing track, 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Hagerstown, Maryland, situated on US Route 40. It hosts weekly local racing of Late Model Sportsman, Pure Stock, and Hobby Stock divisions, and throughout the season hosts regional and national touring series such as the Lucas Oil Late Model Series, International Motor Contest Association, and FASTRAK. Along with the car-racing schedule during the year, Monster Jam has used the track for events for several decades, along with various concerts and special events. The speedway has also hosted World of Outlaws, ARCA, and NASCAR races in the past.

Michael "Buddy" Kofoid is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the USAC National Midget Series and POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series, driving for Keith Kunz Motorsports. He is the 2021 and 2022 USAC National Midget Series champion. He also competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 15 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. He also has competed with the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint car Series. He collected his first Win at Husets Speedway on June 23, 2022.

References

  1. Nesbitt, Mark (May 11, 2012). "Car counts take speedy climb". The Monroe Times. Retrieved January 11, 2016.