Chicago Motor Speedway at Sportsman's Park
LocationCicero, Illinois
Capacity67,000
OwnerCharles W. Bidwill III, Chip Ganassi and Dwayne Mcarthur
Broke ground1997
Opened1999
Closed2003
Construction cost$70 million USD
Former namesSportsman's Park
Major eventsCART (1999–2002)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sears Craftsman 175 (2000–2001)
American Speed Association (dates N/A)
Oval (1999–2003)
Length1.029 miles (1.656 km)
Race lap record0:23.687 (156.390 mph (251.685 km/h)) (Brazil Roberto Moreno, Swift 010.c, 1999, CART)

The Chicago Motor Speedway at Sportsman's Park was a motorsports race track, located in Cicero, Illinois, just outside Chicago. It 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, for which the track was called "Sportsman's Park". The track was one of three racetracks that hosted both NASCAR auto races and horse races (the others are Dover International Speedway and the Syracuse Mile).

History

1967 advertisement for Sportsman's Park in the Chicago Tribune

Before 1999, Sportsman's Park was one of the premier locations for horse racing in the area. Hawthorne Race Course, located right across the street to the south from the track, is the current host of the Illinois Derby. The two tracks operated together for decades.

In 1999, after the final season of the old Sportsman's Park, the main grandstand and infield were completely demolished to make way for the massive grandstand that was to follow.

The track held CART races from 1999 to 2002, the Toyota Atlantic Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 2000 and 2001. Chicago Motor Speedway also held American Speed Association (ASA) races. Traditional horse races remained; this time as dirt was brought in over the racing surface. Problems with the hard surface led to several scratches by trainers and races being cancelled.

In 2001, Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet was built in the hopes of attracting more racing fans and upper-level races; all Cicero races were subsequently moved to Joliet and the track closed the following year after the CART event. The few remaining horse races were transferred to Hawthorne.

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.

Aerial view of the speedway, after demolition of the grandstand, 2007.

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.

The western portion of the site is now a Wirtz Beverage Group distribution center, while the eastern portion is home to a Walmart supercenter, effectively removing any last remains of the track. Part of the parking lot to the west across Laramie Avenue has been converted into a public park.

Past winners

ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series history

  • 2001 Robbin Slaughter

CART Champ Car history

Season Date Driver Team Chassis Engine Race Distance Race Time Average Speed
(mph)		 Report Ref
Laps Miles (km)
1999 August 22 Colombia Juan Montoya Chip Ganassi Racing Reynard Honda 225 231.525 (372.603) 1:53:38 122.236 Report [1]
2000 July 30 Brazil Cristiano da Matta PPI Motorsports Reynard Toyota 225 231.525 (372.603) 2:01:23 114.432 Report [2]
2001 July 29 Sweden Kenny Bräck Team Rahal Lola Ford-Cosworth 225 231.525 (372.603) 1:45:12 132.031 Report [3]
2002 June 30 Brazil Cristiano da Matta Newman/Haas Racing Lola Toyota 250 257.25 (414.003) 2:07:00 121.524 Report [4]

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history

Mid-American Stock Car Series

  • 1999 Mike Monroe
  • 2000 Nate Clatfelter

Lap Records

The fastest official race lap records at Chicago Motor Speedway are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleDate
Oval: 1.656 km (1999–2003)[5]
CART0:23.687Roberto MorenoSwift 010.c1999 Target Grand Prix of Chicago
IndyLights25.723[6]Scott DixonLola T97/202000 Chicago Indy Lights round
Formula Atlantic26.607[7]Sam Hornish, Jr.Swift 008.a1999 Cicero Atlantic round
Stock car racing31.315[8]Mike GarveyChevrolet Monte Carlo2000 USA Meats 200
NASCAR Truck31.497[9]Joe RuttmanDodge Ram2000 Sears Craftsman 175 of Chicago

References

  1. ↑ "1999 Target Grand Prix of Chicago". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  2. ↑ "2000 Target Grand Prix of Chicago". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ "2001 Target Grand Prix of Chicago". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  4. ↑ "2002 Grand Prix of Chicago". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Chicago - Motorsport Magazine". Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "2000 Chicago Indy Lights". Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Chicago Race Results". Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "2000 USA MEATS 200". Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "2000 SEARS CRAFTSMAN 175 OF CHICAGO". Retrieved 5 November 2022.

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

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