Rumors swirled about the tracks impending closure and demolition and prompted the city of Joliet to issue a clarification news release late Monday. Several factors may have contributed to social media users believing the misleading report that warehouses might replace the entire racetrack. The coronavirus pandemic has created uncertainty in many areas. Let's hope they can make the 45 mile trip from the city to Joliet when it inevitably moves to Chicagoland Speedway after the street race runs its course. The same can be said for other iconic tracks such as Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Ticketholders may receive credit for the full amount of tickets plus an additional 20% of the total amount paid to apply towards future race events, the track announced. My family and I are truly blessed to have gotten to know so many wonderful people through the years. Developing surplus land around the racetrack makes a lot of sense from a business perspective. NASCARs recent emphasis on road courses, particularly at Indianapolis, has alienated this 50 race fan of over 50 years. Summit Hill is now working with the Will County Sheriffs Office on plans for a drive-through graduation event May 29 in the parking lot of Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Rains wrote. Adam Stern 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. The fencing has been removed and theyre beating away at the asphalt. After working with the Power Automedia staff for some time on a freelance basis, Andrew joined the team in 2010. Sucks.. News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday, By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. 4 for Kevin Harvick commented, Saw this picture yesterday of them tearing down Concord Speedway. The Speedway was snubbed for the third consecutive year after the sport released the 2022 schedule earlier today. Rumors have circulated suggesting the drag strip assets were going to be sold off, and fortunately to this point has not come to fruition. The layout of the track itself has remained relatively the same since it was first built in 1967. Pit Bike National Returns to Chicagoland Speedway During NASCAR Weekend. Race 20 - Saturday . 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. UPDATE 2: The future of the Chicagoland Speedway will not be affected by plans for a new industrial complex and the track itself, will be spared, Kickin' the Tires (KTT) has confirmed. In 2001, Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet was built in the hopes of attracting more racing fans and upper-level races; all Cicero races were subsequently moved to Joliet and the . Officials with the City of Joliet and NASCAR met a month and a half ago to discuss the future of the property. 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. Marketing director Jennifer Campbell stated in July 2019, I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all the competitors, teams, fans and coworkers that I have had the pleasure to get to know during my past ten years while working at Concord Speedway. The Speedway, a 1.5-mile oval, held its first Cup series race on July 15, 2001. COVID-friendly outdoor entertainment located near Chicago at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL. Chicagoland Speedway Deserves Another Chance with NASCAR. As you may have heard through news reports, the Chicagoland Speedway released all their employees earlier this week and closed their facility, Summit Hill Superintendent Barb Rains wrote Friday to parents of eighth-graders. NASCAR returns to competition on Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, but without fans in the stands. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. It was on the originally published 2020 schedule but was moved to Darlington Raceway due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These iconic structures hold a special place in the hearts of many fans throughout the United States. R.A.C.E. At the tie, no walls surrounded the speedway. Concord Speedway is officially dead. Following the end of this years NASCAR season, demolition of the track begins in earnest. In the beginning, it was a dirt track. Chicagoland Speedway race weekend cancelled. "Yes, the track would remain," said Michael Schwarz, Joliet's Director of the city's Planning Commission told KTT via email. Thank you for your continued support. Over the years, the Big 10 was also staple event for the facility. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Mike McCain had this to say about his pics: THE FORK LIFT was heading back to the torn down . 2021 Dates Coming Soon! The same nostalgia may be felt towards this track as well, though perhaps not to the same extent as towards Daytona International Speedway. I live near these tracks. You have entered an incorrect email address! NASCAR fans looked forward to this year's race. NASCAR officials will only say the move is part of bold changes to the 2021 schedule. Last weeks announcement that NASCAR was canceling this years race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway might also have contributed to doubt about the tracks future. JOLIET, Ill. - NASCAR is hitting the track again next year, but Joliet learned there will be no races at the Chicagoland Speedway. This is mainly because Talladega Superspeedway is less than an hour drive from the fans home. Alex Bowman won the 2019 . However, the 1/4-mile track welcomed Legends machines on a weekly basis. Chicagoland Speedway was deemed a nonessential business and thus not allowed to open during the states stay-at-home order that remains in effect. (Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images). . The infamous ' slide-job ' finish between Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson happened at the Chicagoland Speedway. The Chicago Motor Speedway at Sportsman's Park was a motorsports race . Discover The Ultimate Guide To Finding The Best Seats at Michigan International Speedway, The Shocking Truth About Roger Penskes Purchase of the Indianapolis Speedway, The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Seats at Michigan International Speedway, Discover the Shocking Amount Roger Penske Paid for the Indianapolis Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series weekend was originally scheduled. We take pride in our experience and quality services that we offer our clients. IndyCar by a nose: In the closest finish in the history of the NTT IndyCar Series, Sam Hornish Jr. nipped Al Unser Jr. by 0.0024 seconds Sept. 8, 2002 at Chicagoland Speedway. The modernized speedway has significantly reduced wait times for tickets and parking. The excess property is like outlots surrounding a shopping mall that typically are developed as restaurants and free-standing stores. Home - Chicagoland Speedway SuperMotocross World Championship September 16, 2023 | TBD The premier off-road motorcycle racing series. Jones said that the citys subdivision regulations require that preliminary plats shall include all contiguous holdings of land in the same ownership. Documents submitted for the Plan Commissions consideration correctly included 423 acres that covered the racetrack, Jones said, though warehouses were proposed for just 82.3 acres. Chicagoland lost its race in 2020 due to COVID-19 and had a slot this year given to Road America in Wisconsin. ", "Is it to allocate more to the tracks that they own outright? All of our fans have exhibited a tremendous amount of allegiance and patience over the past year, during which time we all have experienced significant challenges. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. I'm just here for the ride. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Grassroots Racing Returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway with Racetrack Revival in 2022, Clint Bowyer to Pilot Davey Allisons No. DRIVE a NASCAR race car by yourself on the Chicagoland Speedway-a 1.5 miles tri-oval speedway which has 18 degrees banking in the turns. Thats the situation that will affect Chicagoland Speedway. 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. Over the years, he has photographed several major auto racing events, sports, news journalism, portraiture, and everything in between. Smoke is pouring out of the rear window. Chicagoland Speedway is certainly not the only NASCAR-related building set to be demolished this year. "The iconic volcano outside of the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas will be torn down as part of remodeling plans, Hard Rock International Chief Executive Officer Jim Allen said," according to . 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. 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. In 2018, the Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series was the headline of the season along with the North-South Shootout. NASCAR, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, also pulled its Joliet NASCAR event from this year's schedule. Later that year, it was announced that David Laton had sold the facility. Gender:Male. Despite being taken off the NASCAR circuit, Morris said Kentucky Speedway made its most recent industrial bond payments to Gallatin County totaling about $400,000 a year. In 2015, the national late model scene returned to the 1/2-mile track with the PASS and CARS Tour divisions. As exciting as this years Daytona season opener was, its probably not the same as driving down the same old dusty trackway in the summertime. The coronavirus pandemic has created uncertainty in many areas. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. NASCAR has over recent months, worked on liquidating some assets and releasing personnel following the ISC merge. Over its 19 year history at the track, there have been a total of 14 different Cup Series winners. But fear not, racing fans! Posted March 11, 2021. Rodney Childers, crew chief of the No. Enjoy motorsports, demolition derbies, Monster Truck rallies, car shows, music, rodeos, and more. Like a mummy at night fightin' with bright lightnin'. The track seems to have suffered from a perfect storm of circumstances that led many to doubt the facilitys future. View photos of the Concord Speedway construction below. The Joliet, Illinois facility, which has hosted the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series since 1998, has remained closed this season, foregoing its NHRA national event date, as well as the long-standing NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl, as it navigated the fallout of the pandemic. View photos of the Concord Speedway construction below. 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. But on Friday, this years Chicago-area race was canceled. But Jordan Bressler with a local sports marketing agency says the writing is on the wall. The CARS Tour did not return following a race in 2017. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". However, it wouldnt make sense from a business standpoint to pull the plug on such a major investment. The president of the speedway says he hopes to work with NASCAR to bring races back to this speedway. Click here to exit the well. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! The concrete barriers wasnt added until 1984. donates more than $50,000 to Chicagoland organizations in 2018: Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway's charitable entity, Racing Advocates for Community . Willie Millers record-setting night becomes emotional one as Lake Station makes history: Ive been waiting for this my whole life, Photos: Chicago Fire season opener at Soldier Field, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Quote Tweet. Family. International Speedway Corporation was purchased by NASCAR and merged in October of last year. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. After 69 years, one of NASCARs most historic venues is set to be demolished. Yes, sports ratings as a whole are down, but NASCARs fall is alarming: Daytona 500 viewership from 2001 to 2009 ranged from 16 to 19 million.. HiTech went by Corpus Christi Speedway today (March 10, 2021) and took a couple of pics of the work being done to dismantle the historic facility. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. As one of the most well-known and respected names in racing, , Michigan International Speedway is one of the most famous racetracks in the world, hosting some of the most exciting events in motorsports. Ivan laughs and pans his phone's camera across the . Ahead of the 1997 season, David Laton purchased the track. Concord Speedway is being torn down Shane Walters January 24, 2021 Equipment has moved into the complex as the track is being removed Concord Speedway was built in 1982 by Henry Furr. There are not a lot of details available on the record right now, except for one. A year ago, NASCAR announced a $2 billion merger with International Speedway Corp., which owned 12 NASCAR tracks including Joliet, Daytona and Talladega. Exclusive: Is Chicagoland Speedway being reduced to an industrial complex? asked a headline of a post published Sunday on a media site that covers motorsports. (Armando L. Sanchez / TNS). The track appeared on loopnet, listed for $1.95 million. So, he constructed a new 4/10-mile dirt track. Breaking news: Chicagoland Speedway possibly being torn down? All rights reserved. In addition to running the blog, he is also a talented writer and photographer, with a particular talent for capturing the excitement of motorsports. Originally it was a .4-mile dirt track and was reconfigured to a half-mile tri-oval in 1993. We are disappointed, but hopeful its a one year thing and not permanent, said Joliet Mayor Bob ODekirk. Once the final steel beam is in place, construction will begin on a new $80 million, state-of-the-art speedway. That speedway contributed to the rapid growth of the county. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from SUN 6:00 PM CST until TUE 12:00 PM CST, Lake County, Newton County, until SUN 6:00 PM CST, Lake County, Kenosha County, from SAT 10:24 PM CST until SUN 7:00 AM CST, DeKalb County, La Salle County, McHenry County, NASCAR to allow limited number of fans at upcoming races in Florida and Alabama, Feds raid suburban Chicago home of businessman who ran for state office, Woman, 24, found stabbed to death in Schaumburg home, Jury finds Aurora gang member guilty of first-degree murder in case of mistaken identity, Des Plaines car dealership owners, employee kidnapped, beaten and burned for hours; 2 suspects in custody, Services announced for Chicago Police Officer Andres Mauricio Vasquez Lasso who was killed in the line of duty, Jesse Wilson: Adoptive mother arrested in boy's death in Arizona, 20 cars of Norfolk Southern cargo train derail in Ohio, less than a month after East Palestine wreck, Candlelight vigil held for fallen Chicago Police Officer Andres Mauricio Vasquez Lasso, Chicago weather: Warm temperatures and rain to start the week, Airplane aces US test flight running on pure hydrogen power. The facility features a 1/2-mile tri-oval as well as a 1/4-mile oval. 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. ?Chicagoland Speedway: Development plans suggest NASCAR track will be torn down. Once the tracks are leveled, new surfaces will be laid down and the buildings will be restored or replaced. We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network. For the area to permanently lose it, we lose a part of our story. 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. Temporarily located on the Streets of Chicago until 2025 (or until bureaucracy shuts it down) . By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Track News and Announcements. The shocking news has left fans and industry insiders stunned, and . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. days hrs min secs Buy tickets Event Info Series Info NASCAR Chicago Street Race NASCAR is coming to the streets of Chicago in 2023! 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. The $2 billion dollar merger gave NASCAR far more control of their schedule. we have road America just up the road, said NASCAR Vice President of Racing Development Ben Kennedy. 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. 111,029 were here. The entire process is set to take around six months to complete. Then take Highway 53 South and you will see many signs to Chicagoland Speedway. JOLIET, Ill. (March 10, 2020) Chicagoland Speedway announced today the return of the Pit Bike National June 18-21. Following drivers meeting with Crew Chief, you'll drive a NASCAR race car for timed racing sessions. In a file photo from 2018, Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Red White & Blue Toyota, celebrates after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on J in Joliet, Illinois. No Cover, All Welcome, 21+, NL VFW Sunday Jackpot Raffle Prize $14,830. Lately, it seems, a lot of uncertainty involves Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. 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Those races were won by Johnny Cauter and Davin Scites. Will the racing brand truly go out with a bang or a whimper? Moving on to Talladega Superspeedway, which is also set to be demolished this year. Chicagoland Speedway 500 Speedway Blvd . Shocking News Revealed! As NASCAR returns to competition on Sunday, May 17 at Darlington Raceway (Darlington), Chicagoland Speedway's (Chicagoland) NASCAR Cup Series weekend has officially been canceled as part of the revised NASCAR schedule. The track is located in Midland, North Carolina, southeast of Concord. Location:San Antonio, Texas. These tracks once occupied prominent places in the American psyche. The county had a population of around 400k people. So, let me entertain you and everything will be fine. 5. As far as NASCAR racing at the Chicagoland Speedway, its difficult at this time to speculate on what 2022 might bring. NASCAR fans looked forward to this years race events June 18-21 at the Will County track. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 21 years later the county has a population approaching 700k. The Racing Insiders has obtained a copy of the Joilet, Illinois Planning Commissions meeting notes from its April 16th meeting. JOLIET NASCAR will not be returning to Chicagoland Speedway in 2022. In 2012, weekly racing was brought to a halt on the half-mile. Wanneer u onze sites en apps gebruikt, gebruiken we, gebruikers authenticeren, veiligheidsmaatregelen toepassen en spam en misbruik voorkomen, en, gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content weergeven op basis van interesseprofielen, de effectiviteit meten van gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content, en, onze producten en services ontwikkelen en verbeteren. This year marks the 69th anniversary of Chicagoland Speedwaya track located in Chicagos Joliet area. That's sad. Won the 64k LMSC race, and the best Big 10 race I remember seeing with Clay Rogers. We hope you and your family continue to stay safe and healthy. Chicagoland Speedway hosted the Cup Series from 2001-19. 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. Its fair to say that NASCAR has never been more popular or lucrative. For sale signs and minimal staff are the name of the game for the track and there is no signs of life from the facility that we can see as fans. Problems with the hard surface led to several scratches by trainers and races being cancelled. 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. 2023 Power Automedia. The Magnificent Mile And A Half: Chicago's Home For Stock Car Racing. The good news for NASCAR is that the aforementioned tracks have been replaced by state-of-the-art, high-tech racing venues. Nonetheless, the track should remain a popular destination and viable entertainment option for many years to come. If your downtown Chicago rent a car and drive to Chicagoland Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series changed up its schedule a bit this year, so instead of the Chicagoland Speedway race being the first of the 10-race playoffs in the fall, it's this weekend just shy of the . Five Lincoln-Way area elementary school districts had planned to hold drive-through graduation celebrations for eighth-graders on the 1.5-mile oval track.Those events also were canceled. But are we ready to say RIP Chicagoland Speedway? The same can be said for Daytona International Speedway. The land was purchased by International Speedway Corporation in 1999 for 7.3 million dollars. We are leading Amazon experts, and we're here to help you realize your full potential in the largest marketplace in the world. Drop us a line anytime: news@countryherald.com. Thats probably something that even the most die-hard of NASCAR fans will admit to. Until 2010, the speedway has also hosted the IndyCar Series, recording numerous close finishes including the . We have reached out to the City of Joliet for comment but have not received a response at the time of publication. The iconic press box at the Texas World Speedway was torn down Thursday. Chicagoland Speedway sits right outside of Chicago, Ill. in Joliet and will be easily accessible for fans traveling by car or plane with its central location and multiple airports. They may not even know what a track is. Thread starter klemmabyna; Start date May 11, 2020; klemmabyna Team Owner. In 2019, Darren Hacket moved his North-South Shootout event away from Concord due to uncertainty around the facility. 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. May 8, 2020. Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Dragzine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE! Chicagoland lost its race in 2020 due to COVID-19 and had a slot this year given to Road America in Wisconsin. Noted Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway PresidentScott Paddock in a prepared statement: With the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule unveiling, came the unfortunate news that Chicagoland Speedway will not be part of that lineup. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Joliet was supposed to host its annual NASCAR race weekend June 18-21. 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. This new Daytona is expected to open in July 2022. Sue Regis: 'Im Inspiring People To Make Positive Life Changes', Mudron Urged Dickinson To Get Ahead Of Private Parts Photo Scandal, Man Fights For Life After Fall At Abandoned US Steel Plant, 35th Annual Arts, Crafts and Food Festival, Playing In The Bar. The following comments were posted on the thread for the Sports Business Journal news blurb: ts annual NASCAR race weekend June 18-21. Jimmie Johnson has a track-record six wins. The addition of the Pit Bike race adds to an already action-packed line-up of content, including the BBQ SmokeDown, the Carnival, concerts and more..