One of the most famous tracks in the world, Chicagoland Speedway is located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The track itself is a 12-turn superspeedway that will make you feel like you’re in a different world when you’re there. The turns are so sharp that the cars literally fly around the corners. There are many historical highlights at this track, including Eddie Sachs’s incredible performance in the 1972 United States Grand National Championship where he became the first driver to win a championship in both the professional and the amateur ranks. This is one place that you cannot afford to miss if you’re a car fan!
History
Chicagoland Speedway has been around since 1914, and it has seen its share of famous moments in motorsport. The track was originally owned by automobile mogul Harvey Firestone, and it was built to accommodate the larger automobile racers of the day. The first NASCAR race was held there on September 29, 1914, and it would be another 16 years before NASCAR organized another race at this track. The lone NASCAR race in 1971 was won by Rusty Wallace, and this would be the final race he would ever win. Since then, the track has been on a bit of a downhill slide, and it now primarily hosts high school and local amateur racing events. Still, there is a lot of history there, and it’s worth a visit if you’re a car fan!
Museums & Attractions
Like most speedways, there is a lot of history to be found at Chicagoland Speedway. Besides having an incredibly rich racing history, the track also boasts some amazing automobile museums. The largest of these is the Chicagoland Automobile Museum, and it contains over 100 exhibits spanning over 10,000 square feet. There is also the Budweiser Brew House and the Buick Enclave, which are housed in separate buildings at the track but offer unique perspectives into the automotive world. In addition, there are gift shops, food trucks, and even a beer garden! If you love cars, this is one place that you cannot miss.
Where to Stay
There are a variety of hotels in the Chicago area, and finding a decent one that fits within your budget is easy. If you’d like to stay near the track, there are a few decent chain hotels in the area that offer good value. The major downside to staying near the track is that you’ll be sharing the highway with a lot of loud, tired, and often speeding cars, so if you’re a light sleeper, you might want to look for a different location. In addition, there’s always the option of camping if you’re feeling adventurous!
Shopping
There are many retail stores and restaurants near the Chicago area, providing ample opportunity for shopping and dining. Oak Brook is just north of the city, and it’s a paradise for shoppers looking for brand-name stores and attractions. If you’re a fan of cars, there are plenty of places to buy parts and pieces to fix them up. If you’re looking for a specific part, try contacting the manufacturer or visiting their website directly; chances are, they’ll have a branch near you!
Getting There
If you’re driving, it’s extremely easy to get to Chicagoland Speedway. Take the IL-94 (Oak Brook Road) north from the Loop; it’ll bring you right into the heart of the business district. Take that exit, and continue north on Oak Brook Road for about 15 minutes. You’ll see the track on your right, with signs advertising the various shops and restaurants that line the highway. Parking is always a hassle at tracks because there’s rarely any available, but it’s worth the trouble. In addition, Metra offers daily train service from the Ogilvy station in Chicago to the Sheridan station. The last stop in the northern suburbs is Woodstock, approximately 15 miles away from the track. Trains run until midnight, so if you want to make the most of your visit, you can always take a late train home after the race!
Soccer
Although we don’t recommend you make the trip just for the soccer, it’s worth noting that the Chicago Fire play their home games at home games at this track. This means that you may get to see one of the biggest basketball franchises in the world play some exhibition games at the track in a couple of weeks! It’s also worth considering that some of the world’s best soccer players come from the United States, so you may get the opportunity to see some of the national team players in action if the Fire are playing a home match there.
The Races
The great thing about Chicagoland Speedway is that even if you don’t care about cars, you’ll still be able to have fun. The track is very accommodating, which is why it has drawn visitors from all over the world. In fact, since World War II, the track has only hosted automobile races once, in 1966. Since then, it has only hosted various amateur and high school events. Still, it has a lot to offer, even if you’re not into racing!
One of the great things about the Chicagoland Speedway is that it is extremely accessible to fans. It’s literally less than 10 minutes from the northern suburbs to the heart of the business district. In addition, the track will still be open during the offseason, which means you’ll have the opportunity to catch a race even if you’re not traveling with adequate time in the day. If you make it a point to visit the northern suburb on the weekend, you’ll have the opportunity to see some amazing racing!
The Overall Experience
In conclusion, we think that Chicagoland Speedway is an amazing track. Even if you’re not a huge car fan, you’ll have a good time. The only thing that would make the overall experience better is if the owners took the time to preserve some of the history by having the buildings and grounds remain as much as possible. With some TLC (Tender, Loving Care), this wonderful track could be a part of the Chicago history books!