Route 66 Raceway History
The Historic Route 66 Mother Road has held a close place in the hearts of many a motorist or history buff. A true symbol of an era of nostalgia, Historic Route 66 soon entered into another phase of history in 1997 when nine Joliet area entrepreneurs had the visionary leadership to create Route 66 Raceway along the historic road. Route 66 Raceway would not only be a drag strip and dirt oval facility, but would soon grow to be a symbol for motorists across the country.
Like the Mother Road, Route 66 Raceway would stand as a symbol of adventure for many generations who continue to "Get their kicks on 66." For years, the Route 66 pavement had served as the link of nostalgic American highways that stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles. After opening it's doors in 1998, Route 66 Raceway, the record setting drag strip and dirt oval facility, would stretch it's arms to welcome everything and anything that had to do with the history of the automobile and growing world of motorsports.
What started as a dream became reality just a few years before the turn of the century. With the blessing of the City of Joliet, the enthusiasm of the nine founders and an investment of nearly $30 million, the track began to take shape in July of 1997. By May 28 of 1998, the history of American Motorsports would have a new chapter in its book.
The four-story grandstand and skybox with its u-shape design began as wishful conversation between eventual partners Jim Bingham (who runs a chain of speed shops across the state) and Rex Steffes, a local farmer and longtime racing fan. In time, the group grew to include, brothers, Jack and Dale Steffes, local attorney George Barr, president and owner of Team Rensi Motorsports and retired President and CEO of McDonalds Ed Rensi, and CART racing team owner Dale Coyne.
Other inspiration and expertise was added with the involvement of local contractor Steve Spiess and the owner of a civil engineering firm, Jerry Papesh. What the team was able to create was an incredibly smooth launching pad for automobiles ranging from the classic favorites to the state-of-the-art rockets we know today.
Dubbed the first true "Stadium of Drag Racing," Route 66 Raceway provides top-notch entertainment for all types of racing fans. Route 66 Raceway is a multimillion-dollar complex including a 1/4 mile, 30,000 seat, stadium-style drag strip with 27 luxury suites and a 1/2 mile dirt oval track.
The multipurpose facility hosts a wide variety of entertaining events, including two NHRA POWERade Drag Racing National events featuring Top Fuel, Funny Cars, Pro Stocks and motorcycle racing. Route 66 Raceway also features World of Outlaws, USAC Sprint and Midgets, demolition derby's, monster truck shows, Jr. Dragsters, car shows, bracket racing, music venues, an NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing event, and much more.
Route 66 Raceway is dedicated to providing fans the best possible experience. With a diverse selection of events to choose from, fans and racers can visit for their all-time favorite events, and try a few more along the way. Whether looking for a rare car part in vendors row, feeling the power of the cars on the drag strip, or walking the gleaming rows at the car shows, fans are not disappointed.
Attractions at Route 66 Raceway events have brought TV crews from ESPN, MTV, TNN and others to the City of Joliet. Activities at the facility keep the tires smoking at this 250-acre site nearly 80 dates a year.
Like the Mother Road, Route 66 Raceway would stand as a symbol of adventure for many generations who continue to "Get their kicks on 66." For years, the Route 66 pavement had served as the link of nostalgic American highways that stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles. After opening it's doors in 1998, Route 66 Raceway, the record setting drag strip and dirt oval facility, would stretch it's arms to welcome everything and anything that had to do with the history of the automobile and growing world of motorsports.
What started as a dream became reality just a few years before the turn of the century. With the blessing of the City of Joliet, the enthusiasm of the nine founders and an investment of nearly $30 million, the track began to take shape in July of 1997. By May 28 of 1998, the history of American Motorsports would have a new chapter in its book.
The four-story grandstand and skybox with its u-shape design began as wishful conversation between eventual partners Jim Bingham (who runs a chain of speed shops across the state) and Rex Steffes, a local farmer and longtime racing fan. In time, the group grew to include, brothers, Jack and Dale Steffes, local attorney George Barr, president and owner of Team Rensi Motorsports and retired President and CEO of McDonalds Ed Rensi, and CART racing team owner Dale Coyne.
Other inspiration and expertise was added with the involvement of local contractor Steve Spiess and the owner of a civil engineering firm, Jerry Papesh. What the team was able to create was an incredibly smooth launching pad for automobiles ranging from the classic favorites to the state-of-the-art rockets we know today.
Dubbed the first true "Stadium of Drag Racing," Route 66 Raceway provides top-notch entertainment for all types of racing fans. Route 66 Raceway is a multimillion-dollar complex including a 1/4 mile, 30,000 seat, stadium-style drag strip with 27 luxury suites and a 1/2 mile dirt oval track.
The multipurpose facility hosts a wide variety of entertaining events, including two NHRA POWERade Drag Racing National events featuring Top Fuel, Funny Cars, Pro Stocks and motorcycle racing. Route 66 Raceway also features World of Outlaws, USAC Sprint and Midgets, demolition derby's, monster truck shows, Jr. Dragsters, car shows, bracket racing, music venues, an NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing event, and much more.
Route 66 Raceway is dedicated to providing fans the best possible experience. With a diverse selection of events to choose from, fans and racers can visit for their all-time favorite events, and try a few more along the way. Whether looking for a rare car part in vendors row, feeling the power of the cars on the drag strip, or walking the gleaming rows at the car shows, fans are not disappointed.
Attractions at Route 66 Raceway events have brought TV crews from ESPN, MTV, TNN and others to the City of Joliet. Activities at the facility keep the tires smoking at this 250-acre site nearly 80 dates a year.