Gateway Motorsport Park

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway (WWTR) stands as a premier motorsport destination in Madison, Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. This versatile racing facility combines multiple track configurations to host diverse racing events throughout the year. The complex features a distinctive 1.25-mile oval track, a 2.0-mile road course, a quarter-mile drag strip, and a modern karting facility known as the Kartplex. The venue holds a unique position as one of the few tracks in the United States to host premier series from NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA in the same year.

Historical Development

The facility began its life in 1967 as St. Louis Raceway Park, initially serving as a dedicated drag racing venue. The complex expanded in 1985 with the addition of a 2.6-mile road course, broadening its appeal to different racing disciplines. The current oval configuration took shape after 1994, marking a significant evolution in the facility's layout. The track hosted its first major event on May 24, 1997, when the CART series arrived for a landmark race. The facility faced challenges in 2010, temporarily closing its doors in November of that year. Racing entrepreneur Curtis Francois stepped in during 2011, reopening the venue as Gateway Motorsports Park and beginning a new chapter in its history. The facility received its current name, World Wide Technology Raceway, in April 2019 following a naming rights agreement with the technology company.

Track Specifications

The oval track measures 1.25 miles (2.012 kilometers) in length and features four distinct turns with varying banking angles. Turns 1 and 2 have 11-degree banking and a tighter radius, similar to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Turns 3 and 4 have 9-degree banking, resembling Phoenix Raceway. This configuration creates an egg-shaped layout that presents drivers with unique challenges in each section of the track. The backstretch runs parallel to Illinois Route 203. The oval underwent a major repaving project in 2017. The infield road course offers two configurations. A 1.6-mile (2.575 km) configuration serves various racing series, while a 2.0-mile (3.219 km) configuration was added in June 2019. The expansion, designed by Tony Cotman of NZR Consulting, incorporates Turns 1 and 2 of the oval track and was specifically created to enhance events like the Formula Drift Series and attract higher-level road racing. The quarter-mile (0.402 km) drag strip maintains the facility's connection to its drag racing roots and holds NHRA sanctioning. The drag strip's asphalt racing surface received a complete repaving in July 2024.

Major Racing Events

The NASCAR Cup Series arrived in 2022 with the Enjoy Illinois 300, elevating the track's national profile. The NASCAR Xfinity Series Nu Way 225 is scheduled to return to the track in 2025. The NTT IndyCar Series contests the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, which ran from 2001-2003 before returning in 2017 as a regular fixture with a five-year contract renewal announced in 2021. INDY NXT by Firestone also races at the venue. The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series holds the annual NHRA Midwest Nationals event. Additional series include Trans-Am Series, SCCA, Porsche Club of America, Formula Drift, and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Recent Developments

Under Curtis Francois's ownership since 2011, the facility has seen nearly $50 million invested in renovations, with an additional $40 million in improvements planned for completion in early 2025. These upgrades include enhanced catch fences, paved infield sections, added SAFER barriers, and improved hospitality areas to enhance fan experiences. The acquisition of the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links in late 2019 further expanded the facility's footprint. Its strategic location near the iconic Gateway Arch has helped establish the raceway as a significant attraction in the Midwest racing landscape, drawing fans from across the region for major motorsport events.