Motorsport in Illinois

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 13 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 Monster Energy Cup) 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 Sprint Cup Series, NCTS, and Nationwide 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	Racing Series
Justin Allgaier	Riverton, Illinois	ARCA, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Chuck Baird	Assumption, Illinois	IHRA
Gary Bettenhausen	Tinley Park, Illinois	USAC Championship Car, NASCAR
Merle Bettenhausen	Tinley Park, Illinois	USAC Championship Car
Tony Bettenhausen	Tinley Park, Illinois	AAA, USAC Championship Car
Tony Bettenhausen Jr.	Tinley Park, Illinois	Champ Car
Joe Cooksey	Centralia, Illinois	ARCA
Allen Crowe	Springfield, Illinois	USAC Championship Car
Bay Darnell	Lake Bluff, Illinois	USAC Stock Car, NASCAR Grand National, Indy Car
Erik Darnell	Beach Park, Illinois	NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Bob Dotter	Chicago, Illinois	NASCAR Nationwide Series, ARCA
Bobby Dotter	Chicago, Illinois	ASA, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA
Randy Eller	Taylorville, Illinois	CORR, WSORR
Steve Federico	Willmette, Illinois	CORR, WSORR
Lou Fegers	Glenview, Illinois	USAC, IMCA
Aaron Fike	Galesburg, Illinois	NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA
A. J. Fike	Galesburg, Illinois	NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Steve Fossett	Chicago, Illinois	24 hours of Le Mans, Paris to Dakar Rally
Rich Hayes	Springfield, Illinois	ARCA
Irv Hoerr	Peoria, Illinois	IMSA, NASCAR
Fred Lorenzen	Elmhurst, Illinois	NASCAR, USAC Stock Car
Phillip McGilton	Marion, Illinois	ARCA, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Danica Patrick	Roscoe, Illinois	Indy Racing League NASCAR Nationwide Series ARCA
Tony Schumacher	Long Grove, Illinois	NHRA
Eric Smith	Bloomington, Illinois	ARCA, UMP
Bob Strait	Mokena, Illinois	ARCA, ASA, NCTS, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Scott Taylor	Belvidere, Illinois	SODA, CORR, WSORR, Traxxas TORC Series
Bill Venturini (Retired)	Chicago, Illinois	ARCA
Billy Venturini	Chicago, Illinois	ARCA
Rich Vogler	Chicago, Illinois	USAC Sprint Cars, USAC Midgets
Mark Voigt	Marine, Illinois	NASCAR, ARCA, UMP
Bobby Wawak	Villa Park, Illinois	NASCAR, USAC Stock Car
Tim Wilkerson	Springfield, Illinois	NHRA
Steve Cannon	Danville, Illinois	USAC
Larry Cannon	Danville, Illinois	USAC

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