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  *Comments on Chicagoland Speedway:*
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  1.   Cooper posted:
  03.14.2010 - 3:28 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Chicagoland Speedway is a speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest
of Chicago. The speedway is actually located several miles south of
Joliet proper, just off Illinois Route 53 between Joliet and Wilmington,
Illinois. It currently has a capacity of 75,000 people. Since its
inaugural season in 2001, the Chicagoland Speedway has become an
unexpected and significant draw for major NASCAR and IRL events, often
selling out major races months in advance.


  2.   aRBy posted:
  06.18.2011 - 11:37 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Although I live in Michigan and MIS is my home track, I'm originally
from the Chicago area. I must admit, I've grown fond of this track;
especially since they've given up the "trackpass" system of ticket sales.

One of the best things about Chicagoland is that it was designed with
21st century 3D computer aided design. As a result, you can see the
whole track from the front row which means there isn't a bad seat in the
house.

With an NFL lockout looming, this September's Sprint Cup event is likely
to be well attended. See you there!


  3.   Beau posted:
  06.28.2011 - 6:21 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

There is a slight kink in the backstretch, meaning there is never a
point on the entire track that is actually straight.


  4.   RACE34 posted:
  07.25.2011 - 2:24 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Beau
Thats why Kansas and Chicago are not cookie cutters!


  5.   NoLongerAnonymous posted:
  06.21.2013 - 4:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (2)

@3: That's not true, there are two straight portions of the track, they
combine with the curve at the start-finish line to make the dogleg.


  6.   ii posted:
  09.06.2014 - 7:28 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

You're still essentially turning left the entire course, although yes
they technically are straight.


  7.   Canadianfan posted:
  02.13.2017 - 8:23 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Chicagoland is trying something very interesting if Dale Jr. wins the
Daytona 500 everybody who bought a ticket to the Chicagoland race gets
their money back.


  8.   Canadianfan posted:
  06.02.2017 - 8:27 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Last nights Amazing Race finale featured two tasks located at the
speedway. The final three teams had perform two NASCAR related tasks.
The first was changing the right front tire of a GEN 5 Richard Petty
Experience Cup Car in 40 seconds or less. The second task was to make a
lap around the track in another GEN 5 Richard Petty Experience Cup Car
in 48 seconds or less.


  9.   95McDowellFan posted:
  09.21.2017 - 6:13 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (2)

Over 20 years of racing here yet the most memorable moment is a giant
orange rolling on the track


  10.   Josh posted:
  07.02.2018 - 5:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Chicagoland finally has a more memorable moment than an inflatable
Tropicana orange rolling down the track. That changed on Sunday as Kyle
Larson and Kyle Busch put on a final lap for the ages.


  11.   Jason24 posted:
  11.13.2019 - 7:25 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

#9 is a stupid comment. The track has produced some of the closest
finishes in Indycar history and has become one of the better tracks in
NASCAR in recent years.

Not to mention that a comment posted in 2017 claims the track that
opened in 2001 has hosted over 20 years of racing.


  12.   JSPorts posted:
  04.20.2020 - 1:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Top 10 drivers since 2017:

1st: Kevin Harvick
2nd: Kyle Larson
3rd: Martin Truex, Jr.
4th: Brad Keselowski
5th: Denny Hamlin
6th: Joey Logano
7th: Jimmie Johnson
8th: Chase Elliott
9th: Kyle Busch
10th: Ryan Blaney


  13.   Canadianfan posted:
  05.07.2020 - 1:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

From Adam Stern:

@ChicagolndSpdwy was among the tracks that got hit hard yesterday with
layoffs, and an article out of Joliet says the track may also lose its
NASCAR race this year.

- 'With Illinois still on lockdown and no end in sight, those dates are
probably out.'


  14.   1995-Subaru-WRX-Sti posted:
  05.07.2020 - 6:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

^

Might happen too MIS since the 'stay at home ' order was extended into
late May.


  15.   Corey posted:
  05.07.2020 - 6:10 pm
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You almost wonder if we are going to permanently lose some tracks.
NASCAR/ISC and SMI May have to cut costs somewhere.


  16.   PucciMan posted:
  05.07.2020 - 6:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

I hope they'll race there this year because this is the closest track
from where I live, a 60-90 drive. The next closest track to me is the
Brickyard but that's a 3 hour drive for me.


  17.   JSPorts posted:
  05.07.2020 - 7:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I hope they race there, too, because this track has produced some great
racing the past few seasons. Better than most of the other 1.5-milers.


  18.   possum posted:
  05.07.2020 - 9:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@15 - well, I can think of several that wouldn't generate too many tears
if they did go away.

But I think it's unlikely. The recovery from the pandemic is likely to
be very slow, a decade or more. Real estate prices will be depressed,
and thus no incentive for anyone to buy a track and convert it into
houses/shopping malls. More likely they'll just hang around quietly
decaying like the old Texas Speedway.


  19.   Timothy_Eklund posted:
  05.07.2020 - 10:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

As much as I hate some of these cookie cutter tracks, I don't want to
see them decay like Texas Word or North Wilkesboro.


  20.   Mannoroth posted:
  05.08.2020 - 7:34 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

There goes Jimmie Johnson's final chance for the win at this track.
Interesting that he has led a lot of laps, has scored a lot of solid
finishes, but has never won there (probably the same as Kevin Harvick vs
Pocono Raceway). And the biggest heartbreak has to be 2008, when he had
the race won, but late caution for oil ruined it and Kyle Busch managed
to beat him.


  21.   Canadianfan posted:
  05.10.2020 - 12:21 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

From Adam Stern:

@NASCAR canceling all events @ChicagolndSpdwy for '20 after gutting its
staff this past week may be an ominous sign for the future of the track.

? Chicago has been mentioned as a track that NASCAR is keen to
re-develop as part of its deal with the real estate company Hillwood.


  22.   Mile501 posted:
  05.11.2020 - 9:37 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Jerry Jordan at Kickin the Tires posted an article showing that the city
of Joliet apparently has plans to possibly redevelop this track into a
subdivision, but there are few details and no firm plans right now.

Full article:
https://kickinthetires.net/news/exclusive-is-chicagoland-speedway-being-reduced-to-an-industrial-complex/


  23.   OangeWaffle43 posted:
  05.11.2020 - 11:29 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@22 This is HUGE news. A big bummer though, they've had some great
racing the last few years. It is more speculation than hard facts right
now, but at the same time it wouldn't be entirely surprising for them to
shut down. Despite the good racing, the surface is old and needs a
repave soon, all the recent layoffs, and also NASCAR trying to redo the
calendar, which maybe they want to go to Iowa instead? It's a fairly
close market to Chicago and also would help with the empty seats haha.
At the same time, I guess you never know, maybe they'll upgrade it and
make it a better facility. We'll kinda have to wait and see, but this
will be a really interesting story the next couple years.


  24.   TeamDCRfan posted:
  05.11.2020 - 11:33 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Update from Kickin the Tires I saw on jayski: Track not affected


  25.   wisconsinracefan posted:
  05.11.2020 - 11:56 am
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

@22,

Kickin the tires has new article up. The race track will not be
demolition and racing will continue. It is going to remain according to
Joilet's Director of City Planning Commission.

https://kickinthetires.net/news/update-despite-industrial-complex-plans-chicagoland-speedway-will-remain/


  26.   OangeWaffle43 posted:
  05.11.2020 - 12:18 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

LOL as I was typing that the new news came out. Oops


  27.   TeamDCRfan posted:
  05.11.2020 - 1:32 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

26.
I had mine typed out at 24 before you posted, but thanks to the delay
that I have sometimes, it posted after yours


  28.   German500 posted:
  05.13.2020 - 8:08 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

I would not miss the track. NASCAR should instead build a short track in
Chicago area and IndyCar should bring back Michigan Speedway or
Milwaukee Mile instead of Chicagoland Speedway.


  29.   PucciMan posted:
  05.13.2020 - 9:51 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@28 I rather have IndyCar go back to another 1.5 mile track then a short
track let alone a road and/or street course. IndyCar needs more oval
tracks on the schedule.


  30.   Mannoroth posted:
  05.14.2020 - 7:17 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

29. Exactly. I know that road courses are much safer than ovals for
open-wheel cars, but running almost all the races of the schedule on
road courses basically makes IndyCar "The F1 of the North America".
Those ovals just belong to the schedule despite the fact they are
dangerous.


  31.   German500 posted:
  05.14.2020 - 8:51 am
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The asphalt layer of the Chicagoland Speedway is not in a good
condition. The tire wear is enormous. I don't think you can have a good
IndyCar race here.

If the tires are too soft, you will have a lot of tire damage in the
race and tires that are too hard will reduce the mechanical grip so that
there is only a single file race.

Which is a shame, as the Chicagoland Speedway is the only racetrack of
its kind without progressive banking and is therefore much safer for
IndyCar than Kansas Speedway or Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

At the end, however, would be better if IndyCar went back to Michigan
Speedway and NASCAR switched to Iowa Speedway or built a new short oval
in Chicago area.

Much of the fans want more short track action in NASCAR.


  32.   Foote posted:
  05.14.2020 - 9:43 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Always a bummer to hear a speedway possibly being axed, but I agree with
@31 they should build a (possibly cheaper) short track instead. This
speedway had the Larson-Busch finish in 2018, but that wasn't really due
to the quality of the track, it was more just chance.

Am I the only one not enthused about Iowa? It's just kind of meh for me,
though I'd of course rather waatch a Cup race there than Auto Club.


  33.   Corey posted:
  05.14.2020 - 11:59 am
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

I think we all maybe over reacting about Chicagoland. Obviously, all the
news coming from there recently paints a bleak picture, but I think it
goes hand in hand with Covid-19. The lost this years race and its
income. These means cutting costs somewhere and personal is usually the
easiest place to do this, hence the layoffs.

The development also looks to be near the track and not the track
itself. Yes, I've seen the pictures, but pictures paint a thousand words
and not all of them are true. Only time will truly tell and we'll get a
clearer picture when the 2021 schedule comes out.


  34.   German500 posted:
  05.14.2020 - 12:40 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Yes, there may also be a lot of wishful thinking inside. The Cokkie
cutters are just not as popular as other tracks and maybe there will be
some schadenfreude, even with me, if one of these tracks has to
disappear now.


  35.   German500 posted:
  05.14.2020 - 12:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The problem is that the California Speedway and the Chicagoland Speedway
have the oldest asphalt and need urgent renovation. In addition, both
races are only moderately popular with the local spectators and
therefore not so well attended. Both races are only on the calendar
because the advertising media need these two economically strong and
densely populated parts of the USA.

From a sporting point of view and from the point of view of the number
of spectators on site you can do without both races.


  36.   German500 posted:
  05.14.2020 - 12:51 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The unpopularity of the racetracks simply comes on top. California
Speedway is just a copy of the Michigan Speedway (apart from less
banking) and the Chicagoland Speedway much too similar to the ovals in
Kansas and Las Vegas.

If NASCAR wants to look into the future, it needs more encouragement to
traditional racetracks and short ovals.

Why not a NASCAR race as a double header with IndyCar in Long Beach? A
track that is extremely popular thanks to Formula 1 and IndyCar.

Why not build a new short track in the greater Chicago area, like the
Chicago Motor Speedway back then?

Smaller racetracks with less space are also cheaper to maintain and use.
The only thing you need is enough transport options for the spectators.


  37.   possum posted:
  05.14.2020 - 6:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

@36 - while I agree 100% with your reasoning for more small ovals, I
don't understand "why not NASCAR at Long Beach"? I see this kind of
comment all the time, why not race NASCAR at this, that, or the other
track which has a successful Indy car or sports car event. It's silly.
You might as well say "why not World of Outlaws at Long Beach"? Or "why
not Indycars at Knoxville", for that matter. Just because a track gives
good racing for Indycars, which are light, have tons of downforce, and
big wide tires, doesn't mean it will give a good race for Cup cars,
which are heavy, have limited downforce, and narrow tires. Odds are
running Cup cars at Long Beach would work just as well as running them
at the Speedway, which is to say, not very.


  38.   Anonymous posted:
  05.14.2020 - 11:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

I think they should sell this track for retail purposes, and then build
a track on Navy Pier like they do in NASCAR 09


  39.   TheDewCrew posted:
  05.14.2020 - 11:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Really gave me a bit of a scare, seeing the rumor about the track being
torn down. But in the end it was just that, a rumor. The move back to a
summer date has really helped. The racing has improved and given us some
great battles for the win. I also agree with Possum on the IndyCar and
NASCAR at the same track deal. It's different cars, that'll take to the
courses differently. I wish we could've gotten this race in, but it's a
new (kinda) virus and the unknown causes different reactions.
Unfortunately, the chips did not fall in place for this speedway,
Sonoma, and my home track of Richmond. However, this doesn't mean it's
the end of the world. So relax, it's gonna work out fine, and we'll be
back to normal soon


  40.   RaceFanX posted:
  05.15.2020 - 12:04 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

This is going to be that weird year where people look back and ask
"wait, why did they run Darlington three times out of nowhere?"


  41.   German500 posted:
  05.15.2020 - 2:36 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

At this point (Chicagoland Speedway) I do not want to go into further
detail. Long Beach came to me only as an example. Also because this
street course is not far from the AutoClub Speedway. So it would be the
same local audience. Without building a completly new facility.


  42.   German500 posted:
  05.15.2020 - 2:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Let's assume that the racetrack remains. When does new repavement come?


  43.   Canadianfan posted:
  05.15.2020 - 4:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@42

Just had a looked at last year's race and an on-board and the pavement
to me looks fine I would put Atlanta and Auto Club as tracks that need
it more. And really Auto Club just needs the backstretch smoothed out
the rest of it is fine.


  44.   Corey posted:
  05.15.2020 - 5:42 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@41 I find Long Beach to be too narrow with many blind corners. I also
believe the pit road is too small to allow 40 cars. Even IMSA restricts
which classes race there.


  45.   German500 posted:
  05.15.2020 - 5:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@44 You are right. As I said, that was just a simple example.
I think IndyCar won't be returning to the California Speedway anytime
soon simply because you have a good race with Long Beach in the region.
I am therefore afraid that the California Speedway's economic existence
is also in question.

NASCAR may soon be separating from some less profitable racetracks due
to the economic upheavals caused by Corona, and Chicagoland and
California are definitely among them.


  46.   possum posted:
  05.15.2020 - 7:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@43 - I agree, altho I wouldn't say either Atlanta or Fontana actually
need new pavement. It's a well known fact that with today's cars new
pavement results in very high speeds (compared to whatever was usual at
the track before), very high aero sensitivity, very narrow racing
groove, and races where passing occurs in pit lane and nowhere else. It
often takes 5 years or more for a repaved track to "wear in" enough to
have even a mildly interesting race.

Tracks with old pavement, on the other hand, wear tires. Driver skill in
preserving tires, and pit strategy on when to pit, become key to
success. Old pavement forces drivers to try multiple lines - do I go
above the bump, below the bump, straddle the bump? Again, driver skill
becomes a bigger factor. Ideally tracks would never be repaved (and back
in the old days, they never were, altho today's sticky tires make that
impractical), and certainly it should be postponed as long as possible.


  47.   Corey posted:
  05.15.2020 - 7:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@45 Is Fontana really less profitable? This track is sponsored by Auto
Club and it's been used in the television and film industry.


  48.   possum posted:
  05.15.2020 - 8:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@45 - seperating from Joliet or Fontana? Let's think about that for a
moment. Both are ISC tracks. Now ISC isn't going to give up a race date,
so what other ISC tracks could they move a date to? Daytona, Kansas,
Michigan, Martinsville, Phoenix, Richmond, and Talladega already have 2.

So that leaves Darlington, Homestead, and Watkins Glen. Homestead and
the Glen don't generate any better revenue than Fontana and Joliet. They
could bring a second race back to Darlington, which would be good, altho
it's pretty clear they don't think the track can support two races in
normal times.

Then there's the tracks ISC owns and doesn't use: Nazareth and Tucson.
Nazareth is a scrap heap, you'd have to build a brand new track from
scratch to race there. I can't see ISC doing that. Tucson is a 3/8ths -
as much as I like short tracks, I can't see a Cup race happening there.

And then there's Iowa, a track NASCAR indirectly owns. Now that ISC is
also owned by NASCAR would they trade off a date to Iowa? Would they
make Iowa an ISC track?

Upshot is, there really doesn't seem to be a better place for ISC to put
their two dates than at Joliet and Fontana, at least in the near term.


  49.   ScottB posted:
  05.15.2020 - 8:32 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

I would think that NASCAR's desire to have a presence in those
geographic areas will keep Joliet and Fontana on the schedule at least
in the short term.

I'd love to see Darlington have more race dates permanently, but as
popular as that might be with fans, more races in the Carolinas goes
against what they have been trying to do.

I'm not sure that's even a valid strategy on NASCAR's part. College
football is popular in the South, you don't see networks turning down
SEC games because of the regional bias.


  50.   German500 posted:
  05.16.2020 - 1:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@48

I don't mean, they removed from schedule but maybe NASCAR sold this
tracks to another track company.

Both race tracks were only acquisitions anyway and were originally not
built by ISC (alone).

In return, NASCAR (formerly ISC) can also acquire new racetracks. Just
think of Road America, Gateway (WWT) or Rockingham as examples.


  51.   possum posted:
  05.16.2020 - 6:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@49 - good point about football - the networks fight for the SEC games
and make little effort to show (for instance) PAC12 nationally. I think
a quality race would get good viewership regardless of where it came from.

@50 - I don't think you understand how this works. NASCAR/ISC is not
going to sell a race date. Period. Not gonna happen. Without a race
date, there is no market for Joliet or Fontana as race tracks. The only
way to sell them would be to redevelop the land into something else.
NASCAR could buy another track and move the race date (altho the idea of
them buying Rockingham, which they sold only a few years back, is pretty
ludicrous). But if they do that, then they've still got a track with no
races, slowly decaying and generating no revenue. They would have to be
very certain a new track would generate enough revenue above what the
existing tracks do, to justify the expense of buying/building it. The
only real exception there is Iowa, since they already own it.


  52.   German500 posted:
  05.16.2020 - 8:51 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

I'm pretty sure there won't be 36 cup races in the future. It has
already been said that they want to reduce the number of races in the
future. Now in this difficult economic situation, it is a possible
reaction. Then some racetracks lose their race date anyway. The question
is: Which tracks?


  53.   JR-TV posted:
  05.16.2020 - 9:55 pm
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^I hope they will stick to 36 races. Just wouldn't be surprised to see
the length of the schedule in terms of months shortened by having more
Double-header weekends and Wednesday night races. Probably the season
will run from Feb.-Sept. in the future but with the same number of races.


  54.   Jimmie4life posted:
  05.16.2020 - 10:58 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

NASCAR is looking at shortening the schedule, but I doubt they'll drop
tracks because of that. Less races at places like Texas or Michigan for
exaple, @52.


  55.   possum posted:
  05.18.2020 - 6:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@52 - I think maybe you're seeing why the schedule hasn't changed over
the past 20 years. I beleive, altho I don't have direct knowledge, that
ISC and SMI are negotiating to perhaps give up a date each, with some
sort of compensation from NASCAR, since neither would voluntarily give
up a date.

But I rather doubt they'll succeed; I think @54 is much more likely
correct, and the schedule will shorten in calendar length, but not
number of races.


  56.   ScottB posted:
  05.18.2020 - 10:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I agree, more races packed into a shorter timeframe is the most likely
outcome of the next round of schedule changes. The objective is to have
less overlap into the NFL regular season.

AFAIK, money is still being made on all 36 races, just some being less
profitable than others. If that changes in the future, we will see the
number of races slashed. Until then, a race with a small profit is
better than no race.


  57.   TheDewCrew posted:
  07.15.2020 - 2:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Uh oh. Bob Pockrass just tweeted this: "Hillwood Investment Properties,
which wants to turn 82.3 acres of Chicagoland Speedway overflow parking
lots into warehouses, has asked for its proposal to be tabled from the
Thursday meeting of the Joliet Planning Commission to the August 20th
meeting so it can finalize its plans."


  58.   Jason24 posted:
  07.15.2020 - 3:28 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@57. Thats not good but we saw this coming years ago. Ever since they
moved the race to September in Chicago during football season the event
has struggled.


  59.   Matthew posted:
  07.15.2020 - 5:36 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

I Know someone From The Speedway And They Plan To Have A Race In 2021


  60.   Canadianfan posted:
  08.21.2020 - 1:41 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

From Adam Stern:

The Joliet (Ill.) Plan Commission today rejected with a 7-0 vote
@NASCAR's plan to allow warehouses to be built on the grounds of
@ChicagolndSpdwy.

- Track President Scott Paddock: "This is not over."


  61.   Jason24 posted:
  09.28.2020 - 4:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

On the DBC podcast, there was again talk of Chicagoland and now Kentucky
losing their dates in 2021. The first portion of next years schedule is
expected to be released later this week.


  62.   danny posted:
  09.28.2020 - 5:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Do I see clues for the schedule next year? Texas announcement for their
dates maybe both Chicagoland and Kentucky losing dates uh-oh. And
Atlanta maybe has two again after a decade with 1 race! I wonder when it
will happen NASCAR Please make your move this week would be great
please!!! If is one thing I want I say that be it and tell us who are
the other two new tracks besides COTA and Nashville!


  63.   JSPorts posted:
  09.28.2020 - 6:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Based on tracks that are Cup-ready, it seems very possible to me that
the other 2 new ones would probably be Road America & Gateway. But we
won't know until we see the schedule. I feel like Road America is
probably a lock, though.


  64.   Canadianfan posted:
  09.29.2020 - 5:31 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

From Adam Stern:

?@ChicagolndSpdwy will lose its annual @NASCAR Cup Series race in 2021,
per sources, as part of the schedule shakeup that will be formally
announced tomorrow.


  65.   RacingDude00 posted:
  09.29.2020 - 6:08 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

And Bob Pockrass not just NASCAR Cup but also NO Xfinity Truck & ARCA at
Chicagoland next season :(


  66.   DI9_ForLife posted:
  09.29.2020 - 6:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Can't say I didn't see that coming. That's kind of a shame, the racing
was just starting to get good as the track was beginning to age, but I
can see the track coming back maybe in a different configuration.


  67.   Jason24 posted:
  09.29.2020 - 6:09 pm
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RIP. Shame to see. The racing there is very good despite people's
insistence that all 1.5 milers are boring. Site of some of Indycar's
closest finishes ever too.


  68.   Texas posted:
  09.29.2020 - 6:10 pm
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I hate that all of these "insiders" spill the beans before Nascar
offically announces it. Kinda takes the surprise out of it. At least
most of the dates are still a mystery.

So glad for a shake up in the schedule. I hate it for the fans that are
loosing dates at their local tracks.


  69.   CFM posted:
  09.29.2020 - 6:12 pm
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@66 Coming back?

Wasn't the idea that the land on which the track sits is too valuable to
be "wasted" as it is now, and the property is going to be sold,
subdivided or whatever, and the track is likely to face the wrecking ball?


  70.   Corey posted:
  09.29.2020 - 6:25 pm
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@68 It's all first to post and they want the credit for the breaking
news. They problem is that the schedule has been taking a long time that
bits and pieces are inevitably going to be leaked prior to the
announcement. They good news is that the schedule shakeup is going to be
massive and that there will be other surprise that we aren't aware of.
It might be best to just stay off social media and this site and just
regularly check NASCAR.com until the announcement is made.


  71.   Sector posted:
  09.29.2020 - 6:54 pm
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Most memorable moment at Chicago in NASCAR is Kyle Larson running Kyle
Busch up into the wall, then Busch gave the bumper back which resulted
in Larson spinning; Larson still saved the car after spinning literally
the entire turns 3 & 4 and still straightened out it to finish second.

However, the most memorable SPEECH during the finish is this:

"Dale Earnhardt, Jr has struggled all season but today, the GREAT EIGHT
goes back to victory lane!"


  72.   possum posted:
  09.29.2020 - 7:49 pm
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@68 - I beleive the speedway themselves announced it today, so anger at
"leakers" seems misdirected. And while I also have sympathy for the
local fans, part of the problem is there aren't very many of them. The
track was built at a time when many fans would fly to several races a
year, which gave a distorted picture of how much demand existed.

I'm a little surprised that the Route 66 dragway and dirt track across
the street also seem to be closing. They seemed to be doing a better job
of meeting (lower) expectations.


  73.   RyanM posted:
  09.29.2020 - 8:15 pm
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The Great Eight? Hmm... interesting how my two greatest childhood sports
heroes' careers were intertwined in so many ways. Sadly Dale never got
his cup like Ovi eventually did.


  74.   Ultimate_Warrior_#18 posted:
  09.29.2020 - 8:41 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

@71 My personal opinion the most epic moment at this track was when the
giant orange ball rolled on track from the back straightaway and some
how rolled across the finished line.


  75.   Sector posted:
  09.29.2020 - 9:27 pm
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#73 You didn't see the 2005 finish? Watch it! Gives me goosebumps, just
as good as the 20 years of struggles/frustration Benny Parsons commented
on Dale Earnhardt Sr's 1998 Daytona 500 win.

Who is Ovi?


  76.   Anthony posted:
  09.29.2020 - 10:23 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Best NASCAR moment at this track is the Tropicana orange


  77.   Ryan posted:
  09.29.2020 - 10:31 pm
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@75

Alexander Ovechkin #8 for the Washington Capitals. The Caps won the
Stanley Cup in 2018 after years of frustration of getting dominated by
the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I remember Dale, Jr. winning the 2005 race after staying out choosing
not to pit when many others did after a late caution and holding off
Kenseth. It was great seeing him finally win after having a career year
in 2004. The most unfortunate thing was the pit crew switch after 2004.
Why was that done? However, nothing compares to seeing Dale Sr. finally
winning the Daytona 500.


  78.   MrCheckered posted:
  09.29.2020 - 10:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

As much as I welcome a shakeup, it's too bad that two tracks that only
had one date to begin with are being completely cut from the schedule to
make room for new venues. Despite being 1.5 mile tracks, there are many
tracks that currently have two dates that could have had a date removed
instead to make room.


  79.   Corey posted:
  09.30.2020 - 12:29 am
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Chicagoland Speedway will end the longest stretch in years without a
track leaving the schedule on a more permanent basis. The last time a
track was taken off the schedule was the 2005 when the North Carolina
Speedway failed to appear. It would take another 15 years before another
track left the schedule. Chicagoland was originally taken off due to
COVID-19 in 2020 but did not reappear on the 2021 Schedule. At this
time, the future of the track is in doubt and there is a good chance
that this track will never see NASCAR Cup racing again.


  80.   Canadianfan posted:
  10.01.2020 - 11:22 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Saw this on twitter not sure how true it is.

"They sold out to Amazon, after October 10th it's being demolished for
Amazon."


  81.   Jimmie4life posted:
  10.01.2020 - 11:27 am
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Seems as fake as fake can be.


  82.   Jason24 posted:
  10.01.2020 - 12:31 pm
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81. Amazon has been trying to build a warehouse in the area for a couple
of years now. They had pretty much finalized a deal in a nearby town but
the mayor stopped it at the last minute.


  83.   PucciMan posted:
  10.02.2020 - 10:53 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

I still can't believe there won't be a stock car race there next year.
Me and my dad have been going to almost every race here since 2003. This
is the closest track we can go to. Unfortunately the next closest track
to where I live is about 2 1/2 - 3 hours away. I was hoping IndyCar can
pick the track up but instead there sticking to trying to be F1 2.0. I
don't think I'll be going to another race any time soon.


  84.   JSPorts posted:
  10.02.2020 - 11:22 am
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Xfinity, Trucks & ARCA haven't announced their schedules yet...it would
be cool to see Chicagoland (as well as Kentucky) on one of those. That
would be great, because it would provide a race for the track, as well
as give drivers in the lower ranks an opportunity to get practice on a
1.5-miler similar to many Cup tracks.


  85.   Mile501 posted:
  10.02.2020 - 11:36 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

@83 PucciMan - I am curious, since you have personally been there, what
has attendance at Chicagoland been like in recent years?


  86.   JSPorts posted:
  10.02.2020 - 12:18 pm
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It can't have been worse than the attendance at Texas (my home track.)
The racing's been much better at Chicagoland, too. Yet it's Chicago that
loses its date, not Texas. Sure, Texas lost 1 race, but it was
essentially replaced with the All-Star Race.


  87.   PucciMan posted:
  10.02.2020 - 1:43 pm
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It's been ok. They removed seats between the booths and elevator towers
on both sides. Last year a small amount of people left after when the
storm hit the track.


  88.   PucciMan posted:
  10.02.2020 - 1:43 pm
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Forgot to but @85 for my last comment.


  89.   DI9_ForLife posted:
  11.23.2020 - 11:24 am
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In the back of my mind I keep thinking that someone will come along and
save this track from being dead in the water, along with Iowa. Both
tracks put on great races in both IndyCar and NASCAR. Iowa seems to have
a better chance at being saved than Chicagoland does since the latter is
losing most of its spare parking to an industrial park. Iowa is only
bankrupt, maybe Penske will buy the track or something, I don't know. If
this really is the end for the speedway in Chi-town, I'm just glad that
this track went out with a bang.


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