Chicagoland Speedway

Chicagoland Speedway stands as a premier racing facility located in Joliet, Illinois, approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago. The track opened on July 12, 2001, and quickly established itself as a venue for high-speed racing and dramatic finishes. The speedway cost $130 million to construct and covers 930 acres of land. The facility hosted major racing events from 2001 to 2019, then entered a period of inactivity before announcing its return to NASCAR competition in 2026.

Track Design and Technical Specifications

Chicagoland Speedway features a tri-oval configuration that measures 1.5 miles in length. The track includes four turns and a distinctive backstretch that forms a continuous curve, which differs from most intermediate oval tracks. The banking varies across different sections: the turns bank at 18 degrees, the frontstretch at 11 degrees, and the backstretch at 5 degrees. The frontstretch extends 2,400 feet, while the backstretch measures 1,700 feet. The racing surface spans 55 feet in width and consists of asphalt. NASCAR used the 1.5-mile measurement for timing and scoring, while IndyCar Series events utilized a 1.52-mile length. The grandstands stretch 2,480 feet long and rise 15 stories high, providing views for up to 47,000 spectators as of 2019, down from an initial capacity of 75,000.

Racing History and Major Events

The speedway's inaugural race was a NASCAR Busch Series event in July 2001. The track hosted NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series races throughout its active years. The Cup Series race carried various sponsor names, including the Tropicana 400, USG Sheetrock 400, and GEICO 400. The IndyCar Series competed at Chicagoland from 2001 to 2011, with the Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 serving as the series finale from 2006 to 2008. The track made history by hosting the closest finish ever recorded in IndyCar competition. The International Race of Champions (IROC) held events at the speedway in 2002 and 2003. Kyle Busch achieved remarkable success at this track, earning 10 victories across all racing series. After NASCAR's departure in 2019, the facility hosted a SuperMotocross World Championship event in 2023.

Facility Features and Access

The speedway connects to major transportation routes through Illinois Route 53 and Interstate 80. The infield area accommodates hundreds of recreational vehicles during race weekends. The facility includes a media center, garage area, and both pedestrian and vehicle tunnels that provide access to the infield. Free general parking is available for spectators. Ford Motor Company used the speedway as a storage facility in 2021 during the semiconductor shortage, demonstrating the versatility of the large property.

Development and Future Plans

Plans for a speedway near Chicago began in 1995 through discussions between Tony George of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Bill France, Jr. of International Speedway Corporation. The Motorsports Alliance formed to identify a suitable market and selected the Chicago area. The Joliet city council approved construction on January 19, 1999. NASCAR announced in 2025 that racing will return to Chicagoland Speedway in 2026, with both a Cup Series race and an O'Reilly Auto Parts Series event scheduled. The speedway is currently preparing its facilities for this return to major stock car racing competition.