Ever wonder what it would be like to drive at a world-class NASCAR race track in the style of Formula One or the Indianapolis 500? Now you can find out with Chicagoland Speedway, an ode to the golden era of motorsport. Even if you’re not a racing enthusiast, you’ll find the experience exhilarating.
Set within the Chicago city limits, this is a one-of-a-kind combination of pristine nature and urban civilization. The layout of the track is unlike any you’ve seen, particularly if you’re a fan of traditional oval tracks. It features 17 turns and 27,000 feet of straightaways, making it a challenging course for even amateur racing drivers. If you love speed, this is the place to be. Your entire life will flash before your eyes as you tackle this unique driving challenge.
A Bit Like An Indy 500 Race
Anyone who’s ever watched an Indy 500 race will have an idea of how fast a Chicagoland Speedway track can go. The ovals are wide and there are a lot of corners, giving the cars enough room to really spread their wings and go fast. It’s similar with NASCAR tracks – apart from the traffic, of course – but on a smaller scale.
While the racing action is certainly exciting, there’s a lot more to a NASCAR or Indy 500 race than simply watching the cars fly by. There’s a ritual to watching an Indy 500 or a NASCAR race, particularly the older generation. You’ll see men in dark suits and plain white shirts waving to the crowd, yelling, “Go, Indy, go!” as an underdog team battles it out for supremacy. It’s a sight to behold.
The Magic Of Technology
Even if you’re not a fan of traditional oval tracks, you may still be wowed by the technology that makes this race track possible. The track was originally built in the 1950s and it still uses the same basic design. However, between the years of 2014-2018, the track underwent a massive renovation that turned it into a modern marvel.
The walls were knocked down and a series of chicanes were added to cut back on the speed. The layout is spectacular and it requires some of the best high-end vehicles to navigate. The track now has the capacity to hold up to 300,000 fans, which is one of the largest venues in North America. This makes it the ultimate destination for motorsport enthusiasts.
The Ultimate Race Destination
Anyone who’s traveled to Indianapolis over the past several years knows what a pain in the neck it is to find a parking spot. While the situation has gotten a little better in recent years, it’s still hectic trying to find a spot at a busy time. Now imagine having to do that at a NASCAR race, only to find out that there aren’t any good spots left when you get there. This is one of the reasons why live-streaming the events has become so popular.
The solution: bring the parking lot to you. At a Chicagoland Speedway, you’ll find a hotel, stores, and restaurants all within walking distance of the track. This makes getting to the airport after the race even easier. You don’t even have to worry about parking anymore. Even better, the hotel shuttle will stop right at the track’s gate, so you can get your race fix without having to worry about driving afterward.
An Exercise In Tricky Driving
This is one of the trickiest tracks to drive on. There are a lot of ups and downs and a lot of places where you have to be careful not to crash or hit a dog sitting in the middle of the road. If you’ve got a steady hand and you can keep your cool, you’ll do just fine. But it’s not going to be easy.
In the 2014 season, there were a total of 10 accidents on the track, 8 of which were serious. It’s a dangerous sport and even the professionals don’t always come away unscathed. If you’re thinking about trying out drag racing or rally driving, stay away. There are plenty of other venues that you can take on the open road where you don’t have to worry about getting hurt.
Why Should You Visit Chicagoland Speedway?
There are a lot of attractions in Chicago, a world capital of design, art, and architecture. If you’re looking for a unique way to spend the day, you can’t miss out on a tour of Chicagoland Speedway. Not only will you get to see one of the most exciting tracks in the world, but you’ll also be able to get a taste of what it’s like to drive a Formula One or a NASCAR race. With all the technological advancements that have taken place in the last few years, there’s still a certain magic that comes with these tracks. One that you may have to experience for yourself.