Chicago Motor Speedway

Chicago Motor Speedway
Chicago Motor Speedway at Sportsman's Park
Location Cicero, Illinois
Capacity 67,000
Owner Charles W. Bidwill III and Chip Ganassi
Broke ground 1997
Opened 1999
Closed 2003
Construction cost $70 million USD
Former names Sportsman's Park
Major events CART (1999-2002)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sears Craftsman 175 (2000-2001)
American Speed Association(dates N/A)
Oval
Length 1.656 km (1.029 mi)

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-mile (1.656 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-acre (45,000 m2) outdoor festival park and 68 acres (280,000 m2) of retail stores and parking.[1][2]

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.

Contents

Past winners

CART Champ Car history

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history

References

External links

Coordinates: 41°49′50″N 87°44′55″W / 41.83056°N 87.74861°W / 41.83056; -87.74861