As the Ultimate NASCAR Summer Festival Weekend rapidly approaches, Chicagoland Speedway would like to remind racing fans of the variety of entertainment activities taking place as June 27-30.
BBQ SmokeDown
The top stars in barbeque move in and start cooking on Friday before the green flag waves over the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Camping World 225. Stop by the Lower Ridge Camp Ground and watch as celebrity chefs prepare chicken, ribs, pork and brisket for the BBQ SmokeDown, a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS)-sanctioned competition. The barbequing continues on Saturday, but this time, the fans can throw their names in for the Burger Battle. The fan with the best burger will be crowned on Saturday evening at the campground stage.
Pit Bike National
New to Chicagoland Speedway in 2019 will be the inaugural Pit Bike National, featuring motocross legends Ryan Villopoto, Jeff Stanton, Damon Bradshaw, Carson Brown, Mike Brown, Gary Semics, Kyle Vance, Willy Browning and more. Star of NBC’s “Chicago Fire” Taylor Kinney will also participate in the weekend’s pit bike festivities.
Access to the Chicagoland Speedway Pit Bike National is included with a NASCAR grandstand ticket. For admission to the Chicagoland Speedway Pit Bike National, fans must have a NASCAR ticket for that day, or a Sunday ticket. Tickets must be presented at the viewing area for admission.
Upgraded Infield Fan Zone
Fans who purchase an Infield Fan Zone Pit Pass will now be granted exclusive access to a special viewing area within the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Garage that features the top 12 Cup drivers’ cars, access to the tech inspection and much more. Fans will have access to the garage area during select times on Saturday and Sunday. Fans can enjoy a place to rest and cool off in the new Portacool Chill Zone, featuring several cooling units, lounge chairs, and shade in the Fan Zone as well. A Fan Zone Pit Pass experience includes the opportunity for live driver special Q&As, front-and-center access to the drivers’ red carpet walk, up front access to the pre-race concert with Lee Brice and photos in Gatorade Victory Lane.
Musical Entertainment
Country music singer and song writer Lee Brice will kick off the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 400 with a performance on Sunday, June 30 at 12:15 p.m. following fans’ “Parking Lot Parties.” The Camping World 400 pre-race concert is presented by New Country, Chicago’s BIG 95.5.
Brice has achieved Gold and Platinum status on every album and single released. His hits include “A Woman Like You,” “Love Like Crazy,” “Hard 2Love” and “I Don’t Dance.” Lee’s new single “Rumor” is out now and follows “Boy,” the debut song from his fourth studio album, Lee Brice.
In addition to Brice, fans can enjoy additional musical performances throughout the weekend. Live bands will perform during all hours of Champions Park Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Highlights include a Saturday night post-race concert featuring Miller Lite and iHeart Radio’s Nashville Nights artist Scott DuBose and the 101 Ranch. Sunday will boast a mix of classic rock and authentic Chicago blues with a post-race concert by up-and-coming country group The Joe Stamm Band. Campground entertainment includes a variety of artists such as Nashville Recording Artist Kelsey Hickman, Voice Contestant Josh Gallagher, Chicago blues legend Joanna Connor and the glam-rock powerhouse Poison’d Crue. The entertainment continues in the Infield Campgrounds with funky, fresh blues, soul and rock from local favorites Cadillac Groove. And on Sunday, join one of Chicago’s most in-demand show bands, the Blooze Brothers, in the Infield Fan Zone for an exciting and energizing performance of traditional blues and classic rock.
On Sunday, Brice will pass the mic to the “Gold Standard” Jim Cornelison who will once again headline the patriotic tribute with his iconic rendition of the “The Star Spangled Banner.” Cornelison has been performing the anthem at Chicagoland Speedway since 2013 and is better known as the “Gold Standard” for his iconic rendition of the ballad.
Official Pace Car Driver
Nine-time AMA Motocross/Supercross National Champion Ryan Villopoto will serve as the official pace car driver for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 400 on June 30. Villopoto entered the NASCAR conversation back in January when he sent a message via Twitter and Instagram to seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson to get his thoughts on bringing a pit bike race to Chicagoland Speedway during its NASCAR weekend. The conversation took off in the social world, bringing Chicagoland Speedway President Scott Paddock to green light the event.
Kids Activities
A full Carnival is one of the most notable fan enhancements in 2019. The carnival, a first at Chicagoland Speedway, will be set up in Champions Park, the ultimate pre-race fan experience in a park-like atmosphere with live entertainment and interactive displays, will be open Friday through Sunday. There will be family-friendly rides, multiple youth attractions and games including bumper cars, a Tilt-A-Whirl, Ferris wheel and more. The Carnival will be open late on Friday for fans to enjoy after post-race fireworks until 11:00 p.m. on Friday.
Friends from the Brookfield Zoo will be visiting the Kids Club display on Sunday. Fans will have a chance to win zoo admissions, play fun animal games and witness Mascot Animal Races happening throughout the day in the Kids Zone.
Chicagoland Speedway’s mascot DASH will make regular appearances throughout the weekend and will be available for photos with fans. Face painters, bounce houses and much more will be available for kids each day in Champions Park located at the Kids Club display.
The NASCAR Foundation will bring its Speediatrics Fun Day Festival, which is dedicated to inspiring children to lead a healthy lifestyle, to the Chicago area for the first time on Saturday, June 29 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children in attendance will be treated to NASCAR-themed field day activities, a driver Q&A and healthy snacks to remind children about the importance of healthy eating habits and physical fitness. This health fair conducted during the heart of a race weekend enables more children to learn and practice the habits they need to stay healthy and active.
On Sunday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m., young fans will also have the opportunity to attend an autograph session, featuring Monster Energy Cup Series drivers Daniel Hemric, Paul Menard, Matt Tift and Ryan Newman. Additionally, Chicagoland Speedway’s Kids Club Crew Chief Clint Bowyer will make an exclusive appearance for Kids Club members at 11:00 a.m.
Rail Jam
Step Up Productions will once again add a thrilling element to the entertainment lineup, as their Wakeboard Rail Jam set up will be on display over the weekend. Fans will get up-close and personal with professional wakeboarders as they perform high-flying aerial tricks over the 50’ gap that separates the takeoff and the 50,000 gallon landing pool.
Throughout the weekend there will be 11 performances at the following dates and times:
Thursday 6 & 7 p.m.
Friday 4:30, 6 & 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 10, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Sunday 10, 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
NASCAR Salutes
Beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through Independence Day weekend, the NASCAR industry will honor United States Armed Forces heroes and their families as part of NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola – an industry-wide expression of respect, appreciation and reverence for those who have served the nation both past and present.
At noon on Friday, a Stars and Stripes-enhanced Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series hauler parade will make its way through Gate 2, around the east side of the facility before entering the infield. The Joliet Police and Fire Departments will lead the way followed by the Chicagoland Speedway Pace Car chauffeuring an honorary veteran guest. Chicagoland Speedway Fire Safety Trucks with Chicagoland Speedway Mascot DASH, vintage Military Vehicles, Patriot Guard Motorcycle Riders, the Fallen Hero Memorial Hauler and more will accompany the parade as well.
Returning this year, under the NASCAR Salutes platform, the VIP Military Tent in Champions Park will welcome all veterans, active military, and their families on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30. Service men and women will enjoy shaded seating and a robust schedule of events, featuring private meet and greets, performances, and complimentary snack and drink service.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (food and beverage served 10am-2pm)
Sunday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (food and beverage served 9am – 12pm)
RV Show
Ever consider camping with us, looking to upgrade or just eager to see what types/models of RVs are out there? Look no further as Chicagoland Speedway’s Champions Park will host an RV Show presented by Camping World. Fans can also stop by any of the exciting sponsor displays in this area for interactive games and giveaways for the whole family. Plus, driver appearances and autograph sessions pop up at various sponsor displays throughout the weekend.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway will take place in June as part of the four-race weekend June 27 – June 30. The weekend will kick off on Thursday, June 27 with the ARCA Menards Series Bounty 150 followed by NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Camping World 225 under the lights on Friday night. On Saturday, the NASCAR Xfinity Series Camping World 300 will hit the track as the precursor to Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 400 showdown.
Chicagoland Speedway PR
