PREVIEW CHICAGOLAND
Including driver's appearances, prices, stuff to do, schedule, speedway info & more.
Chicagoland Speedway Ticket Ofc 3200 South Chicago Street Joliet, IL 60436
815-722-5500 815-727-7223
AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.
Go to Heritage Corridor and Visitors Bureau. This site really caters to fans in the Joliet area. This has the most recent and updated list of fan friendly and accommodating hotels, campgrounds and bed and breakfasts in the area.
DIRECTIONS TO CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY 2011
The “Green Line” North-East Corridor
• Westbound I-80 traffic should exit at BRIGGS St. (exit 134) TURN LEFT
• 1.9 miles continue straight on MANHATTAN Rd/US 52
• .7 miles to LARAWAY Rd. TURN RIGHT
• Approx. 2 miles to lot entrance on left
The “Red Line” North-West Corridor
Follow southbound I-55. Don’t be distracted by directional signs on I-55 for “Joliet Road” or “Historic Rt. 66.” These routes lead through congested commercial and retail districts and are subject to drawbridge lifts.
• Southbound I-55 traffic SHOULD STAY on I-55 until I-80 EAST (exit 250A).
• Proceed 6.7 miles to IL Rt. 53/CHICAGO St. SOUTH (exit 132A).
• 2 miles on IL Rt. 53 SOUTH to LARAWAY Rd., TURN LEFT.
• Lot entrance on right.
The “Blue Line” South-East Corridor
• Take I-57 to MANHATTAN-MONEE Rd. WEST (exit 335).
• Follow Manhattan-Monee Rd. 11 miles to US 52. TURN RIGHT.
• 9 miles to SCHWEITZER Rd. TURN LEFT.
• Continue approx. 1 mile to lot entrance on right.
The “Yellow Line” South-West Corridor
• Take I-55 North to ARSENAL Rd. (exit 245).
• TURN RIGHT on ARSENAL Rd.
• After 2.9 miles Arsenal Rd. becomes MANHATTAN Rd.
• Continue on Manhattan Rd. 3.1 miles to IL Rt. 53 and TURN LEFT.
• 2.5 miles to SCHWEITZER Rd. TURN RIGHT.
• Lot entrance on left.
TAKE THE TRAIN TO Joilet - Not Sure If they have a bus to get you to the track
Weekdays 8:00am to 5:00pm CT
Metra Passenger Services
(312) 322-6777
Green Flag from Scott: The Metra train from downtown Chicago to Joliet is very easy to use. The buses that transfer you from the train to the track drop you off right in front of the main gate. Our wait to get to the track and out of the track was very minimal. What they don’t tell you is that the train station at Joliet has a bar in it! This year, you had to wait for the last train back to Chicago, but you had something to pass the time. The other thing they don’t tell you is that you can not have alcohol (in a container, cooler, grocery bag – any kind) on the train. It does make tailgating somewhat difficult since you can’t bring it with you.
TRAFFIC UPDATES
Tune in to US*99.5FM for updates on major traffic issues leading up to qualifying on Thursday afternoon and the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
PARKING 2011
Chicagoland Speedway has approximately 500 acres of parkable land adjacent to our facility. Day parking on Chicagoland Speedway is always FREE. If you are paying to park, you are not on Chicagoland Speedway property.
General Parking
All inbound traffic will be directed to the nearest parking lot. No exceptions.
Daily parking is always free. If you are paying for daily parking, you are not in a Chicagoland Speedway parking lot!
No overnight camping is allowed in Chicagoland Speedway parking lots.
Vehicles left overnight in general parking areas will be towed at owner’s expense.
Chicagoland Speedway is not responsible for theft, injury, or damage to personal property while at Chicagoland Speedway.
Motorcycle Parking
A special motorcycle parking lot is located off of Schweitzer Road in Lot P. It is accessed from the Yellow Line or the Blue Line. Please enter through Gate 2 on Schweitzer Road.
Overnight RV Parking
Event-only RV Parking is available behind our backstretch on Chicagoland Speedway property. RV Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Speedway Ridge; Chicagoland Speedway Infield RV; Lower Ridge and Lakeside Campgrounds are the only areas at Chicagoland Speedway at which overnight camping is permitted.
CHICAGOLAND RACE SCHEDULE 2011
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM 
RV load-in (INFIELD ONLY)
12:00 PM RV load-in (All Locations – continues for 24 hours)
7:00 AM Parking Lots Open
8:30 AM Champions Park Opens
10:30 AM NCWTS Final Practice
2:40 PM NCWTS Qualifying (Two laps, all positions)
3:30 PM NNS Final Practice
5:00 PM NSCS Final Practice
6:35 PM NCWTS Driver Introductions
7:00 PM NCWTS Fast Five 225 (150 Laps, 225 Miles)
7:00 AM Parking Lots Open
8:30 AM Champions Park Opens
11:10 AM NNS Qualifying (Two laps, all positions)
12:40 PM NSCS Qualifying (Two laps, all positions)
2:00 PM NNS Driver Introductions
2:30 PM NNS Dollar General 300 Powered by Coca-Cola (200 Laps, 300 Miles)
7:00 AM Parking Lots Open
8:00 AM Champions Park Opens
12:30 PM NSCS Driver Introductions
1:00 PM NSCS GEICO 400 (267 Laps, 400.5 Miles)
Phone: 815-727-RACE OR Visit the Chicagoland Speedway Box Office located at 500 Speedway Blvd Joliet, IL 60433 By Fax: 815-727-7895
55.00-140.00 INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
$123.00 - $190.00 PACKAGES
HOSPITALITIES 2011
Checkered Flag Fan Zone
Nationwide race only 70.00
Cup race only 100.00
weekend $150.00
Located outside of Turn 4 at the entrance to Champions Park, this VIP hospitality area will treat Toyota owners to free refreshments, gifts, appearances by Toyota drivers and a place to sit down and relax. (Race tickets are not included).
DRIVERS APPEARING:
Saturday - Richard Petty & Ryan Newman
Sunday - Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano
PIT PASSES 2011
$50
No Smoking Policy
In accordance with a new Illinois state law that went into effect on January 1, 2008, all grandstand, suite, hospitality and restroom areas at Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway are now non-smoking. This new policy goes into effect at both facilities beginning on Saturday, May 24, 2008.
What is allowed into the grandstands:
Guests may enter the grandstand with the following:
· One soft-sided bag or cooler, no larger than 6 x 6 x 12 inches
- May contain ice, food & beverages – NO GLASS ALLOWED
· Fanny packs, purses, backpacks, camera bags and other small bags, no larger than 18x18x4 inches, are also permitted, but are subject to search at any time
· Cell phones
· Scanners and head-sets
· Cameras
· Binoculars
· Seat cushions
· Pagers
WHAT TO DO
DRIVER'S APPEARANCES
Appearances are posted from a week before race day up until a few days before. Many times there isn't advanced notice, go by the souvenir haulers and look for the signs. (Go on Friday if possible)
Champions Park
Recognized as one of the most impressive and fan-interactive display areas on the motorsports circuit, Champions Park provides a park-like setting right next to the grandstands. Monuments have been erected in honor of each of the NASCAR
Sprint Cup and IndyCar® Series winners at Chicagoland Speedway since our first race in 2001. In the hours leading up to the race, Champions Park is where the fans are!
Race Fan Rally in Downtown Joliet on Thursday, Sept 15
Chicago Street, Downtown Joliet, IL 4pm – 10pm
Be sure to check out the 10th Anniversary of the Joliet Race Fan Rally on Thursday, Sept. 15th starting at 4pm on the streets of Downtown Joliet. Race Fan Rally is a free to the public, family fun event featuring NASCAR drivers, showcars, classic car show, simulators, an interactive KidZone, fantastic food from local restaurants and great musical entertainment.
DRIVERS SCHEDULED TO BE THERE: Todd Bodine, Jennifer Jo Cobb, Johnny Sauter, Timmy Hill, Matt Crafton, Dakoda Armstrong and Jeremy Clements.
HAULER PARADE Thursday, Sept 15
For the first time ever, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series haulers will be participating in a Hauler Parade during the Race Fan Rally in downtown Joliet on the evening of Thursday, September 15 before heading to the infield of Chicagoland Speedway for the triple header NASCAR weekend. Over 30 NASCAR haulers will make their way through downtown Joliet prior to setting up shop at Chicagoland Speedway for the triple header NASCAR weekend.
Concerts Set SEPT 2011
Parachute - Post-Race, Saturday, September 17
Darius Rucker - Pre-Race, Sunday, September 18
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Post-Race, Sunday, September 18
RACE TRACKS
12.0 Joliet Moto Sports Park 27950 Kelly Road, Wilmington, IL 60481 (815) 476-7433
13.3 Joliet Memorial Stadium Joliet, IL 1/4 mi Asphalt Flat Oval 630.253.8876
The track is located 1.5 miles east of I-55 on HWY 52. The is 35 miles Southeast of downtown Chicago IL. From Indiana or Iowa take I-80 to I-55 north 2.4 miles exit east on HWY 52 (Jefferson St) go 1.5 miles the track in on the south side of the road.
15.0 Jules Raceway Wilmington, IL 1/8 mi Clay Low Banked Oval 10 - Kart classes
Directions: I-55 south 5 miles from I-80 to Arsenal Road, Take frontage road south to Blogett Rd turn West go 2 mile track is on south side of road.
31.0 Kankakee Motor Speedway 3886 South Us Highway 45 # 52, Kankakee, IL
(815) 929-9105 Web Site: www.kankakeemotorspeedway.com
32.5 Hawthorne Race Course 3501 Laramie Avenue, Berwyn, IL (708) 780-3700
34.1 Chicago Motor Speedway 3301 South Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804
(708) 652-2812 Web Site: www.chicagomotorspeedway.com
37.2 Kankakee Thunder Valley Speedway 213 West 4000 South,
Momence, IL 60954 (815) 472-4565
39.3 Speedway 630 Joliet Street, Dyer, IN 46311 (219) 865-3602
42.5 Speedway 8150 Indianapolis Boulevard, Highland, IN 46322 (219) 923-6405
42.0 Grundy County Speedway Morris, IL 1/3 mi Asphalt High Banked Oval 815.942.5043
Friday Racing from APR Late Models, Sportsman, Street Stocks
Directions: I-80 Exit 112B north on SR 47 1 mile. Located at the Grundy County Fairgrounds
43.2 Speedway 8430 Kennedy Avenue, Highland, IN 46322 (219) 838-4193
RICHARD PETTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The Richard Petty Driving Experience, featuring over 40 days of on-track racing experiences, is Chicagoland Speedway's preferred driving experience.
SCHEDULE AND RESERVATIONS:
(Note: All arrangements must be made through the Richard Petty Driving Experience.)
EXPERIENCES:
Ride-Along Program - Ride shotgun in a two-seat stock car driven by a professional instructor for a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series style Qualifying Run. The Ride-Along Program begins one hour after the start of each driving experience.
Rookie Experience - Your hands are on the wheel and you're in the driver's seat for eight laps around the track. The program lasts three hours, the memories last a lifetime.
King's Experience - Satisfy your need for speed while trying to tame the speedway in this high-thrill, 18-lap program. The King's Experience will last approximately five hours.
Experience of a Lifetime - Think you can handle 30 laps of white-knuckled, heart-pounding speed? Improve your driving line, increase your speed and consider a career change.
MARIO ANDRETTI RACING SCHOOL
The Mario Andretti Racing School is your source for a unique and technically advanced open wheel racing experience
SCHEDULE AND RESERVATIONS:
(Note: All arrangements must be made through the Mario Andretti Racing School.)
EXPERIENCES:
Qualifier: 6 laps, reaching speeds up to 145 mph
Checkered Flag: 2 on-track sessions (14 laps), reaching a top speed of 155 mph
Winner's Circle: 3 on-track sessions (24 laps), reaching speeds up to 165 mph.
Victory Lane: 4 on-track sessions (34 laps), reaching speeds up to 170 mph.
World Champion: 6 on-track sessions (66 laps), reaching speeds up to 180 mph.
Pace Car Ride: 6 laps as a passenger in an instructor car, reaching speeds up to 145 mph.
Champ Ride: Experience a qualifying run as a passenger, with speeds reaching 180 mph.
MRO at the Track
Windy City Raceway Ministries Team Locations:
Main Tent - Next to Loop Road, just trackside of Parking lot C,outside the main gate.
Lakeside Campground - East of Loop Road, next to Lakeside Campground Convenience Center.
Raceview Farms - Inside the main gate, next to the vendors.
OTHER STUFF TO DO
No need to go into Chicago for something to do. Downtown Joliet has it all. The Rialto Square Theatre. This theatre was opened on May 24, 1926. Showbiz legends like Bob Hope, the Marx Brothers and Al Jolson once performed in the "vaudeville movie palace". Intensive restoration began in 1980 to restore it to the elegance that made it so special. The architecture is modeled after some of the best known palaces in the world. The inner lobby is designed after the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France.
Into History? Go see the Joliet Area Historical Museum where you can stroll down a turn-of-the-century street past store fronts showcasing fashions of yesteryear or take a virtual ride on a replica trolley. Along the way, meet life-size models, interact with touch-screen visuals, view audio-visuals and learn how the past shaped the world you now enjoy.
Into adrenalin rushes? Then the place for you is Challenge Park Xtreme. Paintball, BMX racing, Skateboarding, In-line and Mountain Biking...150 acres of pure adrenalin fun.
Bird Haven Greenhouse & Conservatory was constructed in the early 1900's in the Italian Renaissance-style. It is located at the edge of downtown Joliet. Year-round attractions are offered with a tropical house, cacti room and show house.
There are also many restaurants located in downtown Joliet’s historic Union Station if you get hungry from all the site seeing.
