PREVIEW CHICAGOLAND
Including driver's appearances, prices, stuff to do, schedule, speedway info & more.
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 2009
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 THE TRACK - no 2009 update yet...give them a call!
take the Metra Rock Island District Line 505 (arrives in Joliet at 9:51 am) or the 509 (arrives in Joliet at 11:51 am) train from Chicago, and stops in-between, to Joliet Union Station. At Joliet Union Station a bus will be waiting to take you directly to Chicagoland Speedway using a restricted access route bypassing race day traffic and parking lots. Use the convenience of Metra to arrive at Chicagoland Speedway. Metra Phone Numbers
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
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.
All inbound traffic will be directed to the nearest lot. If you have a parking credential, it should be displayed at all times. Please hang your parking credential from your mirror before you arrive at the track.
Overnight parking is not allowed except in designated camping areas.
A trolley service will be available to fans at designated pick-up and drop-off locations around Loop Road.
Motorcycle parking is provided in a special lot located off Schweitzer road in Lot E.
CHICAGOLAND RACE SCHEDULE 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009 • NASCAR POLE DAY
8:00 AM 
Nationwide Series Garage Opens
8:00 AM Parking Lots Open
11:00 AM Sprint Cup Series Garage Opens
12:00 PM Spectator Gates Open
2:30 PM Nationwide Series Practice
4:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Practice
6:00 PM Nationwide Series Final Practice
7:40 PM Sprint Cup Series Qualifying (2 laps, all positions)
9:00 PM MILLER LITE Rock n’ Racing CONCERT in Champions Park
9:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Garage Closes
10:00 PM Nationwide Series Garage Closes
Friday, July 10, 2009 • Dollar General® 300 Powered by Coca-Cola
8:00 AM Parking Lots Open
11:00 AM Nationwide Series Garage Open
12:00 PM Spectator Gates Open
2:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Garage Opens
2:05 PM Nationwide Series Qualifying (2 laps, all positions)
4:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Practice
4:45 PM TV Exhibition Run
5:20 PM Sprint Cup Series Final Practice
6:30 PM Dollar General® 300 Powered by Coca-Cola Pre-race
7:00 PM Dollar General® 300 Powered by Coca-Cola (200 laps, 300 miles)
8:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Garage Closes
Saturday, July 11, 2009 • LifeLock®.com 400
8:00 AM Parking Lots Open
12:00 PM Spectator Gates Open
1:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Garage Opens
6:30 PM LifeLock®.com 400 Pre-Race
7:00 PM LifeLock®.com 400 (267 laps, 400 miles)
As with many race tracks you have to buy a package for ALL races held at Chicagoland
Phone: 815-727-RACE OR Visit the Chicagoland Speedway Box Office located at 500 Speedway Blvd Joliet, IL 60433 By Fax: 815-727-7895
Special Offer for DUB Show Tour Chicagoland Speedway is teaming up with the DUB Show Tour to provide fans with a special offer. Purchase a Chicagoland Speedway Track Pack and receive a $75 VIP Ticket to the DUB Show in Chicago!
The DUB Show Tour VIP ticket includes:
* Reserved front row space during Main Stage Performance
* Special priority entrance to venue
* Priority autograph signings with celebrities
* DUB Show Tour T-Shirt
HOSPITALITIES 2009
Checkered Flag Fan Zone $200 per person $170 for Founder's Pass customers
Friday, July 10, 2009
2:00 PM Checkered Flag Fan Zone Opens
2:00 PM Appetizers until 3:30 pm
2:00 PM Pit Tours available until 6:00 pm
4:30 PM Dinner until 6:30 pm
7:00 PM Dollar General® 300 Powered by Coca-Cola
On Friday, TNT talents Marty Snider and Larry McReynolds and drivers Bobby Labonte and Justin Allgaier are scheduled to visit the Checkered Flag Fan Zone, a premium hospitality area for fans.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
2:00 PM Checkered Flag Fan Zone Opens
2:00 PM Appetizers until 3:30 pm
2:00 PM Pit Tours available until 6:00 pm
4:30 PM Dinner until 6:30 pm
7:00 PM LifeLock®.com 400
Saturday’s line-up includes Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, David Stremme, David Ragan, Scott Speed, AJ Allmendinger and Reed Sorenson.
PIT PASSES 2009
$50 each Event Weekend
$50 Track Pack holders
$35 Founders Pass members
Thursday, July 9 - NASCAR Pole Day:
* Pit Corral: 12 noon - Conclusion of track activity.
* Gatorade Victory Lane: 12 noon - Conclusion of track activity.
Friday, July 10 - Dollar General® 300 Powered By Coca-Cola:
* Pit Corral: 12 noon - Conclusion of track activity.
* Gatorade Victory Lane: 12 noon - Lap 160.
Saturday, July 11 - Lifelock®.com 400:
* Pit Corral: 12 noon - Conclusion Of Track Activity.
* Pit Road: 2 - 5 p.m.
* Gatorade Victory Lane: 12 noon - Lap 220.
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:
The following items ARE allowed past the Turnstile Gates and into the Grandstands:
One unopened factory sealed plastic bottle of water per guest, Cell phones, Scanners and head-sets, Cameras, Binoculars, Seat cushions, Pagers, Fanny packs, purses, backpacks, camera bags and other small bags are also permitted, but are subject to search at any time.
NOTE: Chicagoland Speedway reserves the right to disallow bags deemed to be too large.
NOT allowed: Coolers of any size (unless required to store prescribed medicine for guest) Food and Beverage
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)
Reed Sorenson tries to visit his souvenir trailer at the race track each weekend to sign autographs. Be sure to stop by the Target trailer and check for times.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Justin Allgaier is scheduled to sign autographs at the Penske Racing souvenir trailer at Chicagoland Speedway on Friday, July 10, 2009 from 12:30 - 12:50pm local time. The trailer is located on souvenir row behind the front stretch. www.jayski.com
Think you have what it takes to beat Elliott Sadler? Stop by the TEAM TYLENOL® display (located at Champions Park between Turn 1 and Turn 4 by SPEED and US Smokeless) at Chicagoland Speedway for details and your chance to race against Elliott. Elliott will be appearing from 1:55pm - 2:20pm. www.elliottsadler.com
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Brian Vickers will be making an appearance at the Red Bull merchandise hauler. Tickets will be handed out throughout the weekend. Members of Club V will be allowed into the signing (with their member card) even if the allotted tickets have been distributed.
Kurt Busch · Autograph Signing at Miller Lite Souvenir Hauler Time: TBD www.kurtbusch.com/
Elliott Sadler will be appearing at the Best Buy Live display at Chicagoland from 3:10pm - 3:30pm. Check back for more details...www.elliottsadler.com
AJ Allmendinger is scheduled to sign autographs at the Richard Petty merchandise hauler located in the display area at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 2:10pm local time. www.jayski.com
Robby Gordon is scheduled to sign autographs at his souvenir trailer located in the display area at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 3:15pm local time. www.jayski.com
JOLIET Race Fan Rally July 8th 2009
Downtown Joliet Chicago Street 5pm – 11pm, NASCAR Driver Appearances, NASCARS Showcars on Display, A Classic Car Show, Kidzone wjth Games & Activities, Retail & Food Vendors, Driving Simulators, musical Entertainment
Merchandise Trailers
Shop at the Chicagoland Speedway/Route 66 Raceway and driver merchandise trailers located throughout downtown Joliet.
Joliet Classic Car Cruise Over 300 classic cars on display in the streets throughout downtown Joliet.
Drivers scheduled for Q&A’s on the entertainment stage include: Jason Leffler (5-6 p.m.); Burney Lamar (5-6 p.m.); John Wes Townley (6-7 p.m.); David Stremme (7-8 p.m.); Justin Allgaier (7-8 p.m.); Michael Annett (9-10 p.m.) and Kevin Hamlin (time TBA).
Racin' the Bases Celebrity Softball Game
No UPDATE AS OF 06/06/09 BUT THEY HAVE HAD IT EVERY YEAR
Celebrity Softball Game at the Joliet JackHammer's Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet, Illinois. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Silver Cross Field, home of the Joliet JackHammers...Autograph Session. MORE
Individual game tickets for Racin... the Bases Celebrity Softball Game. General Admission Lawn Tickets are $10.00, while Reserved Seats and Box Seats are $15.00. To purchase tickets, please call the Joliet JackHammers ticket department at 815-726-2255 jackhammerbaseball.com
The Goo Goo Dolls Headline Miller Lite Concert Thursday, July 9.
Chicagoland Speedway has teamed up with its official beer sponsor, Miller Lite, to host another Miller Lite Rock ‘n Racing Concert at the conclusion of NASCAR Pole Day qualifying on Thursday, July 9. Rock band, The Goo Goo Dolls will be performing at the track’s Miller Lite Pit Stop, located behind the Speedway grandstands. Large crowds are expected for this free event and NASCAR Pole Day, so guests are encouraged to arrive early. Tickets for Pole Day are $15 (children 12 and under are free) by calling 888-629-RACE (7223)
Track Walk Saturday, July 11th 2009
The NASCAR Foundation Track Walks give fans the unique opportunity to walk a lap around some of the most famous race tracks in NASCAR. Not only do walkers experience the track from a different perspective and enjoy the sights and sounds from the racing surface, they also benefit very worthy causes through fundraising!
8:00am At-Track Registration
Thursday July 9th 2pm-7pm; Friday July 10th 10am - 6pm;
Saturday July 11th 7am - Until start of walk (REGISTRATION WILL BE IN TURN 2)
Registration LocationAt the NASCAR Foundation Booth in Champions Park
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.
