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 2008
If traveling to the event on I-55 Northbound: Exit on North River Road. Go East on River Road to Route 53 (Chicago Street). Go North on Route 53 to the track.
If traveling to the event on I-55 Southbound: Go South on I-55 to the I-80 Interchange. Go East on I-80 to Route 53 (Chicago Street). Go South on Route 53 to the track.
If traveling to the event on I-80 Eastbound: Go East on I-80 to Route 53 (Chicago Street). Go South on Route 53 to the track.
If traveling to the event on I-80 Westbound: Go East on I-80 to Briggs Street.
Go south on Briggs Street to Laraway Road. Go West on Laraway Road to the track.
If traveling to the event on I-57 Northbound: Go North on I-57 to Manhattan-Monee Road. Go West on Manhattan-Monee Road (through the town of Manhattan) to Route 53. Go North on Route 53 to the track.
TAKE THE TRAIN TO THE TRACK 2008
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 2008
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.
BRING A MAP AND FIND AN ALTERNATE ROUTE
FOR INBOUND & OUTBOUND MAPS
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 2008
THURSDAY, JULY 10 - NASCAR POLE DAY
8 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . Nationwide Series Garage Opens
10 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . Parking Lots Open
10:30 a.m. . . . . . . . Sprint Cup Series Garage Opens
12 noon . . . . . . . . . . Spectator Gates Open
2:30 - 3:50 p.m. . . . Nationwide Series Practice
4 - 5:30 p.m. . . . . . . Sprint Cup Series Practice
6 - 7:25 p.m. . . . . . . Nationwide Series Final Practice
7:40 p.m. . . . . . . . . . Sprint Cup Series Qualifying (2 laps, all positions)
9 p.m.* . . . . . . . . . . MILLER LITE Rock n’ Racing CONCERT in Champions Park, featuring Gretchen Wilson *After Qualifying ends
9:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . Sprint Cup Series Garage Closes
10 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . Nationwide Series Garage Closes
FRIDAY, JULY 11
10 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . Parking Lots Open
11:30 a.m. . . . . . . . Nationwide Series Garage Open
12 noon . . . . . . . . . . Spectator Gates Open
2 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . Sprint Cup Series Garage Opens
2:35 p.m. . . . . . . . . . Nationwide Series Qualifying (2 laps, all positions)
4 - 4:45 p.m. . . . . . . Sprint Cup Series Practice
4:45 - 5:15 p.m. . . . . TV Exhibition Run
5:20 - 6:20 p.m. . . . . Sprint Cup Series Final Practice
6:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . Dollar General® 300 Powered by Coca-Cola Pre-race
7 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . Dollar General® 300 Powered by Coca-Cola (200 laps)
8 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . Sprint Cup Series Garages Close
SATURDAY, JULY 12
10 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . Parking Lots Open
12 noon . . . . . . . . . . Spectator Gates Open
1 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . Sprint Cup Series Garage Opens
6:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . LifeLock®.com 400 Pre-Race
7 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . LifeLock®.com 400 (267 laps, 400 miles)
Times and events are subject to change.
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
No Smoking Policy 2008
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.
Look for Dave Blaney to stop by the Caterpillar/Toyota Racing merchandise hauler to sign autographs this weekend. Please check with the trailer for exact times.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Bobby Labonte will be signing autographs at his merchandise trailer.2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Friday, July 11, 2008
Brad Keselowski is scheduled to sign autographs for fans at the Navy's trackside display at Chicagoland Speedway from 1:30 - 2:00pm. on Friday, July 11, 2008.www.jayski.com
Ryan Newman will be signing autographs at his merchandise hauler. For autograph tickets check at the hauler beforehand. 2:00 pm www.DriverAppearances.com
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Matt Kenseth is scheduled to appear at the DEWALT Rolling Thunder at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, July 12, 2008. A very limited number of autograph tickets - usually only 100 - are distributed at Rolling Thunder early on race morning. Times vary by track so check with the folks at the Rolling Thunder display before race day for all the details [Matt may not sign autographs at every appearance].www.jayski.com
Clint Bowyer is scheduled to appear at the Jack Daniel's Experience at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 12:00pm local time. . The Jack Daniel's Experience will be located next to the Main Gate inside Champions Park. Autographs may be available on a first come first serve basis and will be limited in number due to time constraints.www.jayski.com
Robby Gordon is scheduled to sign autographs at the Robby Gordon Motorsports merchandise trailer at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 2:15pm local time.www.jayski.com
Travis Kvapil & David Gilliland are scheduled go sign autographs at the Ford merchandising trailer at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 3:00pm local time.www.jayski.com
Casey Mears will sign autographs at the Kellogg's/CARQUEST souvenir trailer at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. local time. catchfence.com
Brian Vickers will be making an appearance at the Red Bull Merchandise Trailer. Passes will be handed out in advance. 3:20 pm www.DriverAppearances.com
Kurt Busch will be signing autographs at his merchandise trailer. 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
Sam Hornish is scheduled to sign autographs at Chicagoland Speedway at the Mobil 1/Penske Racing souvenir trailer on Saturday, July 12, 2008. He will appear from 2:45 to 3:15pm local time, prior to the LifeLock.com 400. www.jayski.com
MORE DRIVER'S APPEARANCES AROUND THE CHICAGO AREA (LOTS LISTED)
JOLIET Race Fan Rally Wednesday, July 9, 2008
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
Chevy... ChicagoRevolution.com Tour Stage
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.
Racin' the Bases Celebrity Softball Game
Thursday, July 7, 2005 Gates Open: 4:00 pm
Autograph Session*: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Game: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
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. APPEARING SO FAR: Kurt Busch, Kyle Petty, Tim Fedewa, Stacy Compton, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin and Michel Jourdain. 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
Gretchen Wilson to Perform Thursday, July 10
Country music star and Pocahontas, Ill. native, Gretchen Wilson, will be performing a free concert at the track's Miller Lite Oasis at approximately 9 p.m. following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying. An opening act is scheduled to start around 8 p.m. Large crowds are expected for Pole Day and the concert, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.
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.
