JOLIET, Ill., (Mar. 4, 2026) – Today, NASCAR announced the launch of its “Drive for Success” program with Joliet Public Schools in anticipation of the league’s return to the Chicagoland Speedway this Independence Day Weekend. In partnership with Joliet Public Schools District 86 and Joliet Township High School District 204, the initiative will reward local students for academic achievement, strong attendance, positive behavior and exemplifying NASCAR’s core values throughout the school year.
Beginning in Mar. 2026, Drive for Success will recognize students from participating elementary, junior high and high schools across Joliet with the opportunity to earn two tickets to the 2026 NASCAR Chicagoland Speedway Race Weekend, July 3-5, 2026. Each month, school principals will honor one student who exemplifies specific NASCAR core values (Authentic & Courageous, Driven & Inclusive, and Innovative & Stewarding) with an award certificate and tickets to the race.
“NASCAR is proud to be a part of the Joliet community, and Drive for Success reflects our commitment to supporting youth in the communities in which we race on a year-round basis,” said Jacque Herrera, General Manager of Chicagoland Speedway. “By recognizing students who lead with character, effort, and integrity, NASCAR is living our core values and investing in the next generation of young leaders.”
At the conclusion of the school year, all selected students will receive two tickets for themselves and a guardian to the NASCAR Chicagoland Speedway Race.
“Drive for Success is about more than racing-it’s about celebrating the everyday wins happening in our classrooms and hallways,” said Joliet Township High School Superintendent Dr. Karla Guseman. “We’re proud to partner with NASCAR and Chicagoland Speedway to recognize students who are setting the pace through hard work, integrity and leadership.”
The program will roll out to the following participating schools for the 2026 school year:
High Schools (9-12)
Joliet Central High School
Joliet West High School
Junior High Schools (6-8)
Dirksen Junior High School
Gompers Junior High School
Hufford Junior High School
Washington Junior High & Academy Program
Elementary Schools (K-5)
T.E. Culbertson Elementary School
M.J. Cunningham Elementary School
Eisenhower Academy (1-5)
Farragut Elementary School
Forest Park Individual Ed School
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Edna Keith Elementary School
A.O. Marshall Elementary School
Pershing Elementary School
Sator Sanchez Elementary School
Carl Sandburg Elementary School
Isaac Singleton Elementary School
Taft Elementary School
Lynne Thigpen Elementary School
Woodland Elementary School
For more information on the Drive for Success program and NASCAR Chicagoland Speedway Race Weekend, visit www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.
NASCAR will make its long-awaited return to Chicagoland Speedway on July 3-5, 2026, with ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and NASCAR Cup Series action competing on the famed 1.5-mile tri-oval for the first time in seven years. Tickets for all the racing action can be purchased at www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.
About Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway will make its return to the NASCAR schedule in 2026 for the first time in seven years. One of the premier tracks on the NASCAR circuit from its opening in 2001 to 2019, the speedway is a highly competitive 1.5-mile tri-oval intermediate speedway in Joliet, Ill. Located just outside the Chicago metropolitan area, the speedway provides convenient access to one of the nation’s top cities, offering a world-class race weekend experience unlike any other. Fans can purchase tickets at www.chicagolandspeedway.com and get all of the latest information.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook
