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.
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 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 can be found at temporary tracks at Route 66 Raceway to the permanent facilities at Lincoln Trail Motorsports Park.
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.
Several tracks host sports car racing in Illinois, although it is not prevalent with few road courses such as Blackhawk Farms Raceway.
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.
Kart racing can be found throughout Illinois on both dirt and asphalt.
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 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, 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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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 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).
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.
Name | Hometown | Series/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. |
Track Name | Location | Length | Sanction | Program |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 Miles | No NASCAR Events in 2011 | |
Grundy County Speedway | Morris, Illinois | 1/3 Mile | Unaffillated | 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 |
Track Name | Location | Length | Sanction | Program |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 Mile | Closed 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 Speedway | Jacksonville, Illinois | 3/8 Mile | WoO 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 Mile | Late models, Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Hornets | |
Shepp's Speedway | Alexander (New Berlin), Illinois | 1/4 Mile | United Midwestern Promoters | UMP Late models, UMP Sportsman, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, |
Spoon River Speedway | Banner (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 Mile | Micro-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. |
Track Name | Location | Length | Sanction | Program |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gateway International Raceway | Madison, Illinois | 1/4 (.25) Mile | NHRA | NHRA National Series |
Motion Raceway | Assumption, Illinois | 1,000 feet (300 m) | Unaffilliated | None. 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 |
Track Name | Location | Length | Sanction | Program |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 SVRA | Various racing programs |
Concept Haulers Motor Speedway | Norway, Illinois | Multiple tracks | WKA | Multiple classes |
Gateway International Raceway | Madison, Illinois | 1.77 Mile | Unaffilliated | None 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 |
Track Name | Location | Length | Sanction | Program |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 1⁄2-mile asphalt tri-oval and a 1⁄4-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.
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.
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.
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Speedway History
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.