Chicago Motor Speedway
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Motor Speedway at Sportsman's Park located in Cicero, Illinois
, just outside of Chicago
, was built in 1999 by a group including Chip Ganassi
, owner of Chip Ganassi Racing
. In 2002 the 1.029 miles (1.7 km) oval shaped track suspended operations due to financial conditions in the motorsports industry. The track was also the site of horse races, when the track was called "Sportsman's Park". The track was one of two racetracks that hosted both auto and horse races (the other is Dover International Speedway
).
The track held CART
races from 1999–2002, and NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series
races
in 2000 and 2001. Chicago Motor Speedway also held American Speed Association
(ASA) races.
Portions of the motion picture Driven
were shot at Chicago Motor Speedway.
In 2003 the town of Cicero purchased the track for $18 million. During 2005 the main grandstands were torn down but the track itself remained.
It's been reported that the site will be completely demolished and turned into a 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) outdoor festival park and 68 acres (275,186.5 m²) of retail stores and parking.
On October 31, 2008 it was reported that contracts for the demolition of the remaining structures and track had been awarded.
Demolition of the remaining Sportsman's Park structures and the track itself began January 5, 2009.
Cicero, Illinois
Cicero is an incorporated town in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 83,891 at the 2010 census. Cicero is named for the town of Cicero, New York, which in turn was named for Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman and orator....
, just outside of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, was built in 1999 by a group including Chip Ganassi
Chip Ganassi
Floyd "Chip" Ganassi, Jr is a former American racecar driver and current racecar owner.He is currently the owner and president of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates which operates teams on the IndyCar, NASCAR and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series circuit...
, owner of Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. They have won 4 Champ Car, 3 Indy Racing League and 1 Grand-Am championships...
. In 2002 the 1.029 miles (1.7 km) oval shaped track suspended operations due to financial conditions in the motorsports industry. The track was also the site of horse races, when the track was called "Sportsman's Park". The track was one of two racetracks that hosted both auto and horse races (the other is Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
).
The track held CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
races from 1999–2002, and NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
races
Sears Craftsman 175
The Sears Craftsman 175 was a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race that took place at Chicago Motor Speedway. The race was only held in 2000 & 2001.-Sears Craftsman 175:...
in 2000 and 2001. Chicago Motor Speedway also held American Speed Association
American Speed Association
The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...
(ASA) races.
Portions of the motion picture Driven
Driven
Driven is a 2001 film directed by Renny Harlin and starring Sylvester Stallone, who also wrote and produced. It centers on a young racing driver's effort to win the ChampCar World Series...
were shot at Chicago Motor Speedway.
In 2003 the town of Cicero purchased the track for $18 million. During 2005 the main grandstands were torn down but the track itself remained.
It's been reported that the site will be completely demolished and turned into a 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) outdoor festival park and 68 acres (275,186.5 m²) of retail stores and parking.
On October 31, 2008 it was reported that contracts for the demolition of the remaining structures and track had been awarded.
Demolition of the remaining Sportsman's Park structures and the track itself began January 5, 2009.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history
- 2000 Joe RuttmanJoe RuttmanJoe Ruttman , is an American former racecar driver. He currently lives in Franklin, Tenn. He actively competed in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series and is a 13 time winner in the Truck Series, the seventh most wins by any driver in the Truck...
- 2001 Scott RiggsScott RiggsRussell Scott Riggs is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #81 Dodge Charger for Whitney Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.-Early career:...