Motoring
Windy city speedways: Top 6 race tracks in Chicago
See the best in official drag racing or watch top F1 drivers take on the Chicago streets at the Red Bull Showrun.
Related
The history of motorsports in Chicago goes almost all the way back to the birth of the automobile. The Windy City hosted the first auto race in the U.S. in 1895, and its role in motorsports has only grown since.
Today, Chicago-area speedways offer the perfect chance to experience races of all stripes, from NASCAR to stock cars. And on September 29th, Chicago will welcome Formula One drivers for the first Red Bull Showrun Chicago, where fans will get a chance to witness the Formula 1 car up close and personal.
1 min
Red Bull Showrun Chicago
Red Bull Showrun arrives in Chicago for the first time as the Red Bull Racing team heads to the United Center on September 29th.
If you’re looking to cheer on your favorite motorsports models, check out the top race tracks in Chicago and its surrounding neighborhoods.
01
United Center, West Loop
As the home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, United Center — the largest U.S. arena — is a huge part of Chicago sports culture. It’s located at 1901 West Madison Street near Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood.
This world-class sports and entertainment venue opened in 1994. It hosts around 200 events each year, from NCAA championships to sold-out concerts. And on September 29th, Madison Street north of the arena will transform into an elite Formula One race track for Red Bull Showrun Chicago.
02
Autobahn Country Club, Joliet
This prestigious motorsports club is located an hour and a half outside of Chicago. It’s often a pleasant drive to 3795 Centerpoint Way in Joliet and well worth the trek. The club’s 3.53-mile track, which can be converted into shorter circuit tracks, hosts races for specialty vehicles including Spec Miatas and GT Cars.
Additionally, Autobahn Country Club is home to one of the best karting race tracks in Illinois. You can enjoy unlimited access to both tracks with certain membership plans, but Autobahn hosts plenty of events open to the public too. In fact, if you’re itching to learn how to race, Autobahn Country Club runs a driving school with performance and racing classes for all levels. And for younger folks just learning their way behind the wheel, the experts at Autobahn regularly teach teens driving safety.
03
Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet
Ken Roczen races at Chicagoland Motor Speedway in Joliet, IL
© Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool
Another Joliet gem, the Chicagoland Speedway is 42 times the size of the United Center. The speedway’s 1.5-mile D-shaped track has been home to some of the closest races in IndyCar history, which the venue hosted from 2001 to 2010. The Speedway’s history also includes some of the most exciting NASCAR races in the Chicago area, including the Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series.
Chicagoland Speedway, located at 500 Speedway Boulevard, endured a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic after its final race in 2019. The speedway welcomed fans back in 2023 with the Super MotorCross World Championship.
04
Route 66 Raceway, Joliet
Owned by Chicagoland Speedway, the Route 66 Raceway is just a short trip across Speedway Boulevard at 3200 South Chicago Street. This motorsports facility includes a quarter-mile dragstrip and a 0.38-mile dirt-oval track, both of which have been the site of some thrilling championships.
Since 1998, the Route 66 Raceway dirt oval track has featured prominent races such as the World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series. The dragstrip is also a hotspot for events by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the largest auto racing association in the world. The NHRA will return to Route 66 Raceway in 2024 for the Gerber Collision and Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals.
05
Grundy County Speedway, Morris
Just over an hour and a half southwest of the Windy City, the Grundy County Speedway has been a steadfast presence at 8890 Illinois Route 47 North since 1971.
Grundy originated as an attraction at the Grundy County Fair, a hundred-year celebration that dates back to the days of horse racing. Many of the biggest names in motorsports have cut their teeth on the one-third mile oval track, from Sue Spencer to Dale Earnheardt. Here, you can watch Late Model, Sportsmen, Street Stock, and Pure Stock speedway team members race for first place. You just might catch the next big racing star while cheering from the sidelines.
06
Peoria Speedway, Peoria
This one’s a bit of a trek from Chicago, all the way out in the Central Illinois town of Peoria. That said, the historic speedway at 3520 West Farmington Road — the first race there was in 1950 — is well worth the three-hour drive. Today, this quarter-mile oval racing spot with high banking promises a track day experience, to quote its slogan, “like old times.”
The dirt track at Peoria Speedway is sanctioned for United Midwestern Pro (UMP) DIRTcar racing. Every Saturday between April and October, you can bring the whole family for fun and exciting weekly DIRTcar races. Sometimes you can also catch special events outside the speedway’s normal billing, including monster trucks and motorcycles.
Rev up with Chicago’s top race tracks
If you find yourself craving the smell of burnt rubber and the adrenaline of a screaming crowd, set your destination to Chicago’s top race tracks. See the best in official drag racing or watch top F1 drivers take on the Chicago streets at the Red Bull Showrun. You can also get in on the action yourself with a race car driving course. If you feel the need for speed, Chicago’s race tracks have it all.