NASCAR at Chicagoland Speedway: The Status of the Joliet Track
As of 2024, NASCAR has not held a Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, since 2019. While the track remains a significant site in the sport’s history, the facility is currently undergoing a multi-phase redevelopment project led by track owner NASCAR, focusing on industrial use rather than professional auto racing.
Status of the Chicagoland Speedway Facility
Chicagoland Speedway, a 1.5-mile tri-oval that opened in 2001, effectively ceased active operations as a major racing venue following the cancellation of its 2020 and 2021 race dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent scheduling shifts. According to official track communications, the venue has been repurposed into a logistics and distribution hub. The site’s transformation includes the development of large-scale warehouses on property formerly used for parking and support infrastructure. While the track surface remains largely intact, there are no current plans to return the NASCAR Cup Series to the Joliet location.
Shift to the Chicago Street Race
The absence of racing at Chicagoland Speedway coincides with NASCAR’s strategic pivot toward urban-centered events. In 2023, the sport introduced the Chicago Street Race, a temporary circuit winding through Grant Park in downtown Chicago. This move reflects a broader organizational push to reach new demographics and modernize the fan experience, moving away from the traditional standalone oval tracks located in suburban or rural areas.
Comparison of Chicagoland Speedway vs. Grant Park
The transition from the purpose-built speedway in Joliet to the temporary street course in downtown Chicago represents a significant change in operational philosophy for the sanctioning body.
| Feature | Chicagoland Speedway | Chicago Street Race |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Joliet, IL (Suburban) | Grant Park, Chicago (Urban) |
| Circuit Type | 1.5-mile Tri-Oval | 2.2-mile Street Circuit |
| Primary Status | Industrial Redevelopment | Active Annual Race Site |
Future Outlook for NASCAR in Illinois
NASCAR has signaled that its primary focus in the Illinois market is the continued development of the Chicago Street Race. Because the street race requires significant municipal cooperation and logistical planning, it serves as the centerpiece for the sport’s presence in the Midwest. Meanwhile, the land surrounding the Joliet facility continues to be managed by NASCAR’s parent company, International Speedway Corporation (now integrated into NASCAR), as a commercial real estate asset. Fans looking for the historic racing atmosphere of the 2000s are now directed toward the street circuit, which remains the only major NASCAR event scheduled in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Key Takeaways
- Chicagoland Speedway has not hosted a NASCAR Cup Series race since 2019.
- The venue is currently being utilized for industrial and logistics purposes.
- NASCAR has moved its Chicago-area presence to the Grant Park street circuit.
- There is no official timeline for a return to racing at the Joliet facility.
Worth a look