These tracks once occupied prominent places in the American psyche. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Raced go karts out back, raced my first legend car race there, my first ASA race there. The most famous of these is unquestionably the 2018 NASCAR All-Star Race. Warehouses are everywhere in Joliet, and more are coming. The Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5 miles tri-oval speedway which has 18 degrees banking in the turns and is located in Joliet, Illinois just southwest of Chicago. ". JOLIET, Ill. - NASCAR is hitting the track again next year, but Jolietlearned there will be no races at the Chicagoland Speedway. The shocking news has left fans and industry insiders stunned, and . Now, equipment has moved into the facility. The sport has lost 50% of its audience since 2005, according to multiple reports. So, let me entertain you and everything will be fine. So, he constructed a new 4/10-mile dirt track. Link to the article: https://kickinthetires.net/news/exclusive-is-chicagoland-speedway-being-reduced-to-an-industrial-complex/ For sale signs and minimal staff. The diagram distributed to Planning Commission members shows the race track split into seven sections that are to be discussed about a potential new industrial park. The facility features a 1/2-mile tri-oval as well as a 1/4-mile oval. Rumors swirled about the tracks impending closure and demolition and prompted the city of Joliet to issue a clarification news release late Monday. Last week NASCAR announced they would not race at the track in 2020 due to COVID-19, and most of the staff at the racetrack were released from their duties. The good news for NASCAR is that the aforementioned tracks have been replaced by state-of-the-art, high-tech racing venues. We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request. Until 2010, the speedway has also hosted the IndyCar Series, recording numerous close finishes including the . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. View photos of the Concord Speedway construction below. . The series now boasts an industry-leading $11.8 billion in annual revenue, which is up 28.7% from 2017. This trend isnt expected to reverse itself anytime soon as NASCARs popularity continues to rise, spurred on by the right formula of drivers, great tracks and the right marketing strategy. We will miss some of those areas but at the same time, not running in Chicago, we still have a lot of great tracks in Midwest region now . However, the highly anticipated 2021 schedule has yet to be announced as NASCAR works diligently to form a modified schedule to complete the 2021 season. Once the construction process is finished, the track will open for business in October 2024. The coronavirus pandemic has created uncertainty in many areas. Rather, it is a desire and an important step for the industry to incorporate new markets and new courses into the schedule, and expand the variety of competition. Not even four years later though, the mile-and-a-half racetrack has laid dormant for most of the time since then. These are not the kind of cars that fans would want to see but Ford Motor Company is using the seemingly shuttered 1.5 mile super speedway as a parking lot for thousands of new vehicles. NASCAR also announced Route 66 Speedway will not host drag races next year. Its fair to say that NASCAR has never been more popular or lucrative. The NASCAR Southeast Series made its debut in 1997. Thank you for your continued support. We are disappointed, but hopeful its a one year thing and not permanent, said Joliet Mayor Bob ODekirk. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Route 66 Raceway, the lavish drag strip located outside of Chicago, Ill., will return to the NHRA's Div. In 2019, Darren Hacket moved his North-South Shootout event away from Concord due to uncertainty around the facility. Following drivers meeting with Crew Chief, you'll drive a NASCAR race car for timed racing sessions. It's almost impossible to get through that area. Thats mainly because this track will be completely torn down and rebuilt before the next NASCAR season in 2024. 5. Track crews scraped off a top layer of asphalt then repaved, just in the lower groove. Chicagoland lost its race in 2020 due to COVID-19 and had a slot this year given to Road America in Wisconsin. They represent a bygone era of brick-and-mortar raceways. The payments are in lieu . Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Rodney Childers, crew chief of the No. The Chicagoland Speedway hosted Nascar events for more than two decades, but now they are pulling out. As far as NASCAR racing at the Chicagoland Speedway, its difficult at this time to speculate on what 2022 might bring. Chicagoland Speedway is back in the news and it is not for the good reasons fans have been hoping for. EVER. I live near these tracks. Over the years, he has photographed several major auto racing events, sports, news journalism, portraiture, and everything in between. One of those tracks, is Chicagoland Speedway. The concrete barriers wasnt added until 1984. "It's . Rumors have circulated suggesting the drag strip assets were going to be sold off, and fortunately to this point has not come to fruition. Won the 64k LMSC race, and the best Big 10 race I remember seeing with Clay Rogers. I dont know, but I think it is not all doom and gloom. However, the thing that always struck me as odd. However, the 1/4-mile track welcomed Legends machines on a weekly basis. There's no lead car to follow and no instructor rides with you. Chicagoland Speedway hosted the Cup Series from 2001-19. Then, there is the issue of NASCARs declining popularity. Over its 19 year history at the track, there have been a total of 14 different Cup Series winners. For racing fans, choosing the right seats can make all the difference in , The Indianapolis Speedway is a legendary racetrack known for hosting some of the most prestigious races in the world, including the Indianapolis 500. Last year, Forbes reported that the stands appeared half-full at the start of the annual NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in July, and that was after seating capacity in the stands had been reduced to 47,000 from 55,500 during the off season. (LINK TO ARTICLE IN DESCRIPTION) 126 views May 10, 2020 2 Dislike Share Save JR Smith 150 subscribers Link to the article:. The race track was then built and debuted its race in 2001. International Speedway Corporation was purchased by NASCAR and merged in October of last year. Bible Study. Property could be home to more warehouses in the future?". Lately, it seems, a lot of uncertainty involves Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. However, it wasnt until 1991 when the track was reconfigured, adding a dogleg and making the three corner oval. That speedway contributed to the rapid growth of the county. The Chicago Motor Speedway at Sportsman's Park was a motorsports race . They're trying to go to the racetrack on a Friday, said Bressler. With NASCAR again leaving Chicagoland off its schedules in 2021, the speedway would appear poised to limit its financial losses across both facilities by remaining closed until at least 2022. Districts planning graduation events at the track in late May were New Lenox School District 122, Frankfort Township-based Summit Hill School District 161, Mokena School District 159, Frankfort School District 157-C and Manhattan School District 114. On Twitter Tuesday afternoon, there was a strong reaction to the news of Joliet losing its NASCAR weekend for the 2021 season. No longer do drivers have to brave blistering heat waves and blinding summer lighting to keep their vehicles on the right side of the track. we have road America just up the road, said NASCAR Vice President of Racing Development Ben Kennedy. Have you had it up to here? Demolition of this iconic structure begins in earnest in April 2020 and will take roughly three months to complete. The CARS Tour did not return following a race in 2017. Talladega Superspeedway has also been significantly updated with a state-of-the-art video booth, digital scoreboards, and a new seats and paddock area. 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The Route 66 Raceway dropped a bombshell today, announcing that it will not contest drag racing events in 2021, due to a range of factors, not the least of which is the long-term uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic. The sport still doesnt make enough money to support the entire industry, though. Will Chicagoland Speedway be Demolished for an Industrial Park? The track opened in the late 1990s, and for a number of years, it enjoyed hosting two NASCAR races, bringing huge revenue to the Joliet region, notably to the motels and hotels throughout Will County. JOLIET, Ill. - NASCAR is hitting the track again next year, but Joliet learned there will be no races at the Chicagoland Speedway. The coronavirus pandemic has created uncertainty in many areas. In a video sent via Facebook messenger in July, Ivan* can be seen standing next to his car, an early 2010s model Mitsubishi SUV. Late models became the headline weekly class. donates more than $50,000 to Chicagoland organizations in 2018: Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway's charitable entity, Racing Advocates for Community . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Joliet's NASCAR track now has a murky future, and it's possible that NASCAR racing is over for Joliet and Will County. Interests:Racing. 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My family and I are truly blessed to have gotten to know so many wonderful people through the years. They may not have to travel as far as they do for a Daytona race to feel like theyre back in their childhood. NASCARs recent emphasis on road courses, particularly at Indianapolis, has alienated this 50 race fan of over 50 years. While it's easy to focus on the loss to spectators, who now face a 200-mile journey to any race weekend in Bristol, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; or even down to South Georgia's own Valdosta, I feel that the potential loss would be measured in public safety for the Atlanta metro area if Atlanta Dragway were to close down. The same can be said for Daytona International Speedway. The move away from NASCAR racing at Chicagoland Speedway is one of many changes reflected in the 2021 schedule, and by no means a reflection of the support our fans have demonstrated. But Jordan Bressler with a local sports marketing agency says the writing is on the wall. Mike McCain had this to say about his pics: THE FORK LIFT was heading back to the torn down . 4 for Kevin Harvick commented, Saw this picture yesterday of them tearing down Concord Speedway. A smaller track was . Over its 19 year history at the track, there have been a total of 14 different Cup Series winners. Kansas Speedway Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. JOLIET, IL Millions of people from across the U.S. have flocked to Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway for more than 20 years to watch NASCAR races that are televised across the nation, but Joliet's track may not have a future. Smoke is pouring out of the rear window. We will continue to work with NASCAR on potential future opportunities beyond 2021 and will keep you updated. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The removal of seats at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway came as no . 2021 Dates Coming Soon! Officials with the City of Joliet and NASCAR met a month and a half ago to discuss the future of the property. 111,029 were here. For starters, warehouses are becoming as ubiquitous in Joliet as sea shells on Florida beaches or pine needles in the Northwoods forests of Wisconsin. The layout of the track itself has remained relatively the same since it was first built in 1967. Chicagoland Speedway President Scott Paddock declined comment. Drop us a line anytime: news@countryherald.com. Gender:Male. The track was first established in 1939 and has been home to some of the sports biggest moments. So many memories there. In 2012, weekly racing was brought to a halt on the half-mile. JOLIET - NASCAR will not be returning to Chicagoland Speedway in 2022. No Cover, All Welcome, 21+, NL VFW Sunday Jackpot Raffle Prize $14,830. On Tuesday, the Sports Business Journal broke the news on Twitter that Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway is being stripped of its annual NASCAR weekend as part of the 2021 schedule. Moving on to Talladega Superspeedway, which is also set to be demolished this year. We want to thank the Chicagoland Speedway for its generosity in the initial planning of such a memorable event and understand its decision to close operations in these uncertain times, Rains wrote. We take pride in our experience and quality services that we offer our clients. It also provides fans with a whole new perspective on the sport from a glass booth. It wouldnt be surprising if some drivers start to feel a little nostalgic towards these familiar but aged structures. Chicagoland Speedway is certainly not the only NASCAR-related building set to be demolished this year. In this file image, fans watch as drivers complete 267 laps at the Geico 400 NASCAR race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. Those races were won by Johnny Cauter and Davin Scites. It's probably too late to turn back now anyway. Alex Bowman won the 2019 . Track officials sent a letter to ticket holders in the fall of 2020 which included the following: "Due to the corresponding impact on the shared resources between Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway, and the future uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic; Route 66 Raceway will unfortunately not be hosting drag racing events in 2021," the letter also said. 17 - Atlanta Motor Speedway (Night) Race 18 - Sunday, Jun. . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. But a proposal to develop warehouses on part of the tracks surplus land seems to have generated the most uncertainty regarding the future of the 20-year-old racetrack. Is Daytona Speedway Breaking Up With NASCAR? The county had a population of around 400k people. Nonetheless, the track should remain a popular destination and viable entertainment option for many years to come. The track is located in Midland, North Carolina, southeast of Concord. We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network. Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway has been a central member of the Joliet / Greater Chicagoland area for 20 years, and we will continue to operate as an integral part of our community. The new Daytona is completely overhauled with a state-of-the-art lighting system, high-definition video boards and a roof that can be opened up to the elements.