Travel Tips: Chicagoland Speedway

By: Unique Hiram

Chicago Speedway, nestled in Joilet, IL, will play host to the NASCAR Nationwide (Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola) and Sprint Cup (GEICO 400) Series this weekend.

This will mark the first weekend of the 2012 Sprint Cup Chase, which will be a ten-race shootout behind 12 talented NASCAR drivers. For the complete list of the Chase drivers and current points standings, click here. Additionally, this weekend could catapult Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. ahead of Elliott Sadler, who is currently leading the Nationwide Series by one point, due to their respective finishes in Richmond last week.

There are two NASCAR fan events scheduled in downtown Joliet preceding the race weekend. The Sprint Cup Hauler Parade will occur on Thursday, Sept. 13 beginning at the Hollywood Casino Joliet (5 p.m.). The Race Fan Rally will occur on Friday, Sept. 14 on Chicago Street (4-10 p.m.). There will be drivers, race cars, live entertainment, food, prizes, raffles and fireworks.  

Since Joliet is the fourth largest city in Illinois, this week’s Travel Tips will provide race fans with a number of links that will allow you to visit sites of interest, restaurants and shopping venues located in or near the local area.

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-Golfing:

Inwood Golf Course is located less than 20 minutes from the speedway. It is an 18-hole course nestled on 6,196 yards (71 par) and plays host to the Joliet Park District’s Open Golf Championship. Some of the golf course features include a lighted driving range and a large practice putting green area. Rates, click here. For additional information, call (815) 741-7265. 

Wedgewood Golf Course is located approximately 30 minutes from the speedway. It is an 18-hole course nestled on 6,923 yards (72 par), playing host to both the Joliet Amateur Golf Tournament and Joliet Park District’s Open Golf Championship. Some of the amenities include a lighted driving range, two large practice areas and clubhouse with concessions. Rates, click here. For additional information, call (815) 741-7270. 

Woodruff Golf Course is located approximately 15 minutes from the speedway. It is “the oldest of the three Joliet Park District golf courses” and nestled on 5,424 yards (68 par). Amenities featured are two practice greens, outdoor patio on the 18^th green and a cedar clubhouse with a concession stand, lounge and fireplace. Rates, click here. For additional information, call (815) 741-7272.

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-Parks/Sites: 

Natural parks that may be of interest include:

• Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park, click here.
• Forest Preserve District of Will County, click here.
• Pilcher Park Nature Center, click here. 

Local Entertainment/Fun Sites that may be of interest include:

• Challenge Park Extreme, click here.
• Haunted Trails Family Entertainment and Amusement Park, click here.  

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-Restaurants

There are a number of dining options within the Joliet area, which include American Family, Chinese-Asian, Italian, Mexican, Ribs, Seafood and Steak. Prices range from $4.95 - $39.95, depending on your food selection and venue.  

For a listing of various types of restaurants in the local area, click here.  

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-Shopping 

Louis Joliet Mall is located approximately 25 minutes from the speedway. It houses a variety of stores such as Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Claire’s, GameStop, GNC and Sprint. Hours/Days of Operation, click here.  

For additional local shopping venues, click here. 

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For Chicagoland Speedway Fan Guide, click here.

For race weekend activities, click here.

For weather updates, click here.  

Enjoy a great weekend of NASCAR racing! 

Race Broadcast Schedule:

Sept. 15 – NASCAR Nationwide Series: Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola

TV: ESPN2, 3 p.m. ET / Radio: MRN 3:15 p.m. ET

Sept. 16 – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: GEICO 400

TV: ESPN, 1 p.m. ET / Radio: MRN 1 p.m. ET

Unique Hiram is an Associate Editor/Contributing Writer/Media Rep for Skirts and Scuffs. Additionally, she is also the author of "Fast Lane Poetry," which was published April 2011. Unique can be contacted via email or through Twitter.