St. Augustine native rallies for ARCA win Sep 7, 2008
- Scott Lagasse's hope to find full-time work in stock-car racing received a huge lift Saturday night when the driver from St. Augustine won the ARCA 200 at Chicagoland Speedway. Lagasse had engine problems early in the race, but he rallied in a Chevrolet for one of the biggest victories in his career. (Florida Times-Union)
Dixon, Castroneves take title fight to the end Sep 6, 2008
Memories of the finish of last season's IndyCar Series race at Chicagoland Speedway are a recurring nightmare for Scott Dixon and a beacon of hope for Helio Castroneves. Dixon vividly recalls the frustration of running out of fuel halfway through the last lap on the 1. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Dixon recalls disaster Sep 6, 2008
Advertisements Mike Harris, The Associated Press JOLIET, ILL. - Memories of the finish of last season's IndyCar Series race at Chicagoland Speedway are a recurring nightmare for Scott Dixon and a beacon of hope for Helio Castroneves. Dixon vividly recalls the frustration of running out of fuel halfway through the last lap on the 1. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Read more... Sep 5, 2008
The following racetracks will participate in events (all events will occur on September 11, 2008 unless otherwise noted): Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Dover International Speedway (Sept 21), Elko Speedway, Gateway International Raceway (Sept 6), Homestead-Miami Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Iowa Speedway, Kansas Speedway (Sept 9), Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway,... (PNN Online)
Wayward weekend in Detroit Sep 4, 2008
We head to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend where we'll be running a second ABC Supply car. We're trying out rookie Franck Perera because we think he could be a great addition to our team. (USA Today -- Sports)
NASCAR stint leads driver back to IndyCar Sep 4, 2008
Dixon, who won the Indy 500 this year, needs only to finish ninth at Chicagoland Speedway this week to give Ganassi a second straight IndyCar championship. Ganassi signed Franchitti to a NASCAR contract toward the end of the 2007 racing season and Franchitti opened the '08 season as a rookie on the premier Sprint Cup tour and a part-time racer in the Nationwide Series. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Top Fuel's top dog crew chief headed for land of oil riches Sep 4, 2008
San Diego resident Richard Antinucci will attempt to win the Indy Racing League's Indy Lights championship Saturday in the season finale at Chicagoland Speedway. Antinucci, 27, has two wins and nine top-five finishes this season and trails Raphael Matos by four points going into the last race. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Goodbye NASCAR: Franchitti headed back to IndyCar Series Sep 3, 2008
Franchitti will join Scott Dixon, who is currently atop the IndyCar Series heading into Sunday's season finale at Chicagoland Speedway. Terms of the multi-year deal were not disclosed. (USA Today -- Sports)
Franchitti returning to IndyCar in '09 Sep 3, 2008
Dixon can win this year's IndyCar Series championship with a finish or eighth-place or better in the final race of the season Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. "Part of the reason that I signed with Ganassi last year was because of how many options that Chip has at his disposal for a driver," Franchitti said. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Auto racing notebook Sep 3, 2008
Two hours later, Panther Racing announced it had reached an agreement with Wheldon to drive the No. 4 car, leaving Meira without a team following Sunday's season finale at Chicagoland Speedway. "This is the place where I started my career in 2002, and with the personnel and leadership that John Barnes has put together, I know that we'll be fighting for outright victories, the Indianapolis 500 title and the league championship," said Wheldon, who drove in two events for Panther Racing in 2002. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
This Week In Auto Racing September 5 - 7 Sep 3, 2008
Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 - Chicagoland Speedway - Joliet, IL. Just 30 points separate leader Scott Dixon from second-place Helio Castroneves as the IndyCar Series wraps up the 2008 season Sunday at the Chicagoland Speedway. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Wilson bags first IRL win at Detroit; title pursuit rages on Sep 1, 2008
That result, coupled with Castroneves' strong showing, means the IndyCar championship will be decided at this weekend's final points race at Chicagoland Speedway. The odds of winning the series title still favor Dixon, who entered the Detroit race 43 points ahead of Castroneves. (USA Today -- Sports)
Kanaan, Wheldon race for 3rd in IndyCar points Aug 31, 2008
SPARK PLUGS: If Castroneves scores the maximum number of points in Sunday's race and the Sept. 7 finale at Chicagoland Speedway, Dixon only needs to score 62 points -- an average finish of 4. 5 -- to become a two-time champ. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Edwards bumps Busch at Bristol Aug 25, 2008
He knows that, if he can just add eight points to his lead over Castroneves today, it will be little more than a formality in the last two races at Detroit's Belle Isle and Chicagoland Speedway. Formula One. (Cleveland.com)
Dixon can wrap upIndyCar title Sunday Aug 24, 2008
He knows that, if he can just add eight points to his lead over Castroneves on Sunday, it will be little more than a formality in the last two races at Detroit's Belle Isle and Chicagoland Speedway. "We'd have to turn out for the last two races, but that's about it,'' Dixon said. "So, if we can do that, that would be amazing. (MSNBC -- Sports)
New Zealander can win IRL crown today at Infineon Raceway Aug 24, 2008
He knows that, if he can just add eight points to his lead over Castroneves today, it will be little more than a formality in the last two races at Detroit's Belle Isle and Chicagoland Speedway. "We'd have to turn out for the last two races, but that's about it," Dixon said. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Edwards takes pole at Bristol to keep momentum going Aug 23, 2008
Since finishing 40th at Talladega Superspeedway in April, Edwards has only two finishes outside top 10 in 14 races a 17th at New Hampshire in a rain-shortened event and a 32nd at Chicagoland Speedway, where his No. 99 Ford Fusion was headed for a top five before a mechanical failure. Momentum, though, isn't the reason. (USA Today -- Sports)
Castroneves a long shot for IndyCar title Aug 23, 2008
Now he needs a little good luck, with the races on the road circuits and Detroit's Belle Isle coming up before the final points race of the year on the oval at Chicagoland Speedway. The good news is that I'm very comfortable with the road courses, Castroneves said. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Sun-Rich International to Sponsor Firestone Indy Lights Race at Chicagoland Speedway Aug 22, 2008
Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago-based company Sun-Rich International, a retail and web-based purveyor of gourmet foods, today announced it will partner with Chicagoland Speedway to be the title sponsor for the season-finale Firestone Indy Lights race at the 1 ... "We are thrilled to partner with Sun-Rich International for our championship Firestone Indy Lights race in September," said Bob Welch, senior director of marketing and sales for Chicagoland Speedway ... "Having a Chicago-based company... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Tracks switch dates for future NASCAR races Aug 21, 2008
In trucks, the 25-race 2009 schedule will replace the late-season event at Atlanta with a night race at Chicagoland Speedway on Aug. 28, giving the series another major market. Comments. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Three NASCAR tracks swap dates in 2009 Aug 20, 2008
"We're going to have to add seats.''In trucks, the 25-race 2009 schedule will replace the late-season event at Atlanta with a night race at Chicagoland Speedway on Aug. 28, giving the series another major market.---Associated Press Writer Juanita Cousins in Atlanta and AP Sports Writer Luke Meredith contributed to this report 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. On NewsvineRate Story:LowHighTop... (MSNBC -- Sports)
3 tracks swap dates for 2009 races Aug 20, 2008
In trucks, the 25-race schedule will replace the late-season event at Atlanta with a night race Aug. 28 at Chicagoland Speedway, giving the series another major market. PENALTIES DELAYED: NASCAR will wait another day before issuing penalties against Joe Gibbs Racing's Nationwide Series teams, who were caught trying to cheat during a postrace test Saturday. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Racing source says night race planned for Atlanta Aug 19, 2008
Meanwhile, there also is speculation the Iowa Speedway will gain a spot in the Nationwide Series schedule and the Chicagoland Speedway will add a Craftsman Truck Series date. 2008 The Associated Press. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Lars AndersonINSIDE NASCAR Aug 16, 2008
Stewart and Denny Hamlin squabbled so much last season that it required a intervention by their team owner Joe Gibbs, who made a special trip to Chicagoland Speedway for a closed-door meeting with his bickering drivers. And Newman didn't speak with his Penske Racing teammate Rusty Wallace for the better part of two seasons, claiming that they simply had different personalities and didn't see eye-to-eye. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
DARIO'S BACK: Franchitti to run limited Nationwide slate Aug 9, 2008
" Rain fell throughout late morning and early afternoon at the 2.45-mile road course, washing away Sprint Cup qualifying for the fourth time in five years. But the track was dry enough for Nationwide Series cars to hit the track at 2:45 p.m., and Franchitti was behind the wheel practicing for Saturday's Zippo 200, his first NASCAR start since finishing 26th at Chicagoland Speedway on July 11. Franchitti said he hadn't talked to any IndyCar teams about a return to that series but also didn't rule... (USA Today -- Sports)
Red-hot Johnson the Pocono pick Aug 3, 2008
Two weeks after nearly pulling out a win at Chicagoland Speedway, Johnson won for the second time in three years at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard last Sunday following a seven-lap sprint to the finish in the first Car-of-Tomorrow race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where consistent tire problems on the notoriously abrasive track surface brought out 11 caution flags. It appears the Hendrick Motorsports team of Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus is growing in confidence. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Indy racing season begins, ends in Florida Jul 30, 2008
Aug. 29 : Chicagoland Speedway (oval). Sept. 6 : The Raceway at Belle Isle Park (street course). (Florida Today)
Benson: Brickyard edge goes to Kyle Busch Jul 26, 2008
Two weeks ago at Chicagoland Speedway,Buschs move to pass two-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson on the final restart with just two laps left not only helped Busch complete a sweep of the weekends Windy City races (he also won the Nationwide Series event in the first night race at the track), it also provided another example of Buschs aggressive driving style that should serve him well at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ... And he appeared ready to run his streak to nine top... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Tight Three-Way Firestone Indy Lights Championship Battle Coming to Kentucky Speedway Jul 25, 2008
The series will travel from Kentucky Speedway to back-to-back races at Infineon Raceway Aug. 23-24 before concluding the 16-race campaign at Chicagoland Speedway Sept. 7. Richard Antinucci, Raphael Matos and Ana Beatriz, the top three in the championship hunt, are accomplished road-course competitors and have been facing the challenge of learning the intricacies of oval-track racing throughout the campaign in the IndyCar Series top developmental series. (WKRC.com, OH)
NASCAR reins in Toyota engines Jul 24, 2008
After another round of chassis dynometer tests -- which measure rear wheel horsepower -- at Chicagoland Speedway two weeks ago, NASCAR had seen enough. The sanctioning body issued a technical bulletin Tuesday night requiring all engines with a cylinder bore spacing more than 4. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Economic crunch hitting NASCAR Jul 23, 2008
A sellout for the first Saturday night race at Chicagoland Speedway, where fans had to buy a weekend package to attend the Cup race, was an encouraging sign for NASCAR, writes columnist Reid Spencer ... So was the sellout for the first Saturday night race at Chicagoland Speedway, where fans had to buy a weekend package to attend the Cup race. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Bruce MartinINSIDE RACING Jul 22, 2008
" 2. MIDWEST TRACKS When the Brickyard was held for the first time in 1994, Michigan International Speedway was the only track located in the Midwest. Now, Indianapolis is surrounded by Chicagoland Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Michigan with Kentucky Speedway just a short drive southeast of Indianapolis. So if a race fan in the Midwest wants to attend a NASCAR race, there are plenty of options instead of going to the Speedway. 3. NO BIG OPEN TEST AT THE BRICKYARD IN THE LAST TWO YEARS This is... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Dixon on track to earn second IndyCar title Jul 20, 2008
Eventually, though, Dixon caught and passed Franchitti, only to see him win the title when Dixon ran out of fuel while leading half a lap from the end of the season-finale at Chicagoland Speedway. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Sports)
BUSCH DENIED: Driver falls short of NASCAR history in trucks race Jul 20, 2008
A sweep of the Cup and Nationwide series races last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway set up an opportunity for Busch to become the first driver to string together a succession of victories in NASCAR's top series. Busch started second led 43 of the first 75 laps Saturday, and finished sixth. (USA Today -- Sports)
Dixon on target for title Jul 20, 2008
Eventually, though, Dixon caught and passed Franchitti, only to see him win the title when Dixon ran out of fuel while leading half a lap from the end of the season finale at Chicagoland Speedway. Dixon acknowledges that disappointment is never far from his mind as he chases his second series championship and first since 2003, even with Franchitti now racing in NASCAR.Still, with six races remaining on the 2008 schedule and leads of 63 points over Mid-Ohio pole-winner Helio Castroneves and 69... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Auto racing: Kyle Busch says his team is pretty good Jul 18, 2008
Kyle Busch, coming off a weekend sweep of NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series races at Chicagoland Speedway, summarized his dominant season with a seemingly gross understatement. "We've felt like we've had a pretty good season thus far," the Cup points leader said during a brief break in testing Thursday at Iowa Speedway. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Siemens PLM Software-Sponsored Joe Gibbs Racing Driver Kyle Busch Dominates First Half of NASCAR Season Jul 18, 2008
com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway and Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca- Cola at Daytona International Speedway. Busch's seven Sprint Cup Series wins in 2008 is the most among all drivers. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Joey Moriarty Jul 18, 2008
Outlook: Kyle Busch picked up his fifth Nationwide victory of the year in the Series' most-recent event at Chicagoland Speedway. Busch's Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Joey Logano, returns to the series after missing the last three races. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Busch back in truck at Kentucky Jul 17, 2008
And, coming off a sweep of the Nationwide and Cup races last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, Busch can hardly wait to get back on trackwhatever the ride. Ive never raced a truck at Kentucky, the youngster said. (WKRC.com, OH)
Kyle Busch to Pursue NASCAR Record Jul 17, 2008
Busch, a two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner in 2008, hopes to add Saturday's Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway to last weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup/Nationwide Series sweep at Chicagoland Speedway. Busch already is a member of a select group of drivers who have won in all three national series in the same season, posting a victory each year from 2005-08. (WKRC.com, OH)
Brilliant start for Busch Jul 17, 2008
In his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing the 23-year-old had a series leading seven wins after his July 12th triumph at Chicagoland Speedway his third trip to Victory Lane in his last four races. Carl Edwards was next in wins with three. (MSNBC -- Sports)
NASCAR team notes Jul 17, 2008
Last week: Busch blew by on the outside to win last Saturday night's race at Chicagoland Speedway. Etc. (USA Today -- Sports)
Struggling GM's cutbacks could deliver a blow or two to NASCAR Jul 17, 2008
Kyle Busch: Doubled last week by winning the Sprint Cup and the Nationwide Series races at Chicagoland Speedway, giving the 23-year-old 14 wins across NASCAR's three major series this season. Scott Dixon: Ignores his team's call for him to pit and wins the IndyCar Series race at Nashville when rain stops the race with 29 laps to go. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Stewarts move a risky one Jul 16, 2008
com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill ... At Chicagoland Speedway on Thursday, Stewart announced what had been written for weeks that he will drive for Haas CNC Racing (renamed Stewart-Haas Racing) next year in exchange for a 50 percent ownership stake in the operation. (MSNBC -- Sports)
This Week In Auto Racing July 18 - July 20 Jul 16, 2008
Dario Franchitti drove the car last Friday at the Chicagoland Speedway. Franchitti is not scheduled to compete at Gateway. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
NASCAR This Week Jul 16, 2008
Hall of Fame Racing and driver J.J. Yeley won't face any additional sanctions for adding a water bottle to their Toyota after the inspection process and before last Saturday night's race at Chicagoland Speedway. Up next: Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27. (Florida Times-Union)
Kyle Busch claims 7th win of season Jul 15, 2008
"It didn't matter which way he was going to go, I was going the opposite way," Busch said of the pulsating finish under the lights at the Chicagoland Speedway. "I pushed Jimmie Johnson to go and was like, `Let's go man, here we go.' I just had to go to the outside because he was going to block the bottom in Turn 1 and 2.". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Busch again: No. 7 victory for cool Kyle Jul 15, 2008
After Busch led most of Saturday night's race at Chicagoland Speedway, two-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson went by him on the 251st lap. The confident 23-year-old Busch was nearly ready to concede. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Ryan Newman to leave Penske Racing at season's end Jul 15, 2008
Ryan Newman wipes his face in his garage during NASCAR Sprint Cup practice Friday, July 11, 2008, at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. for Saturday's LifeLock. (Florida Times-Union)
Busch Shines At Chicagoland Again Jul 14, 2008
com 400 Sprint Cup Series race at the Chicagoland Speedway. The No.18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver finished 0. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Around the track: July 10-12 Jul 14, 2008
Kyle Busch used a total team effort to continue his "dream season" with a victory at Chicagoland Speedway. PHOTOS. (Fox Sports)
Busch yet to be favorite of fans Jul 14, 2008
SKIP STEWART/Associated PressKyle Busch celebrates after his Sprint Cup Series victory Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill ... - The routine didn't change Saturday night: Kyle Busch won another race, celebrated with a thunderous burnout and capped it all with a trademark bow at the Chicagoland Speedway finish line. (Florida Times-Union)
Mystery hunt Jul 13, 2008
-- used to circle the date for NASCAR's visit to Chicagoland Speedway at the beginning of the year. Who could blame him. (CBS News)
Joe Gibbs Racing to release Stewart from deal Jul 13, 2008
Stewart's departure opens the door for him to buy a NASCAR team, and he called a news conference today at Chicagoland Speedway to discuss his plans. He's expected to announce purchasing a majority ownership in the fledgling Haas-CNC two-car team. (Boston Globe)
Windy City sweep Jul 13, 2008
com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway ... It didnt matter which way he was going to go, I was going the opposite way, Busch said of the pulsating finish under the lights at the Chicagoland Speedway. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Kyle Buschpicks upanother Nationwide win Jul 13, 2008
Busch added another Nationwide Series victory to his column Friday night, winning the Dollar General 300 at the Chicagoland Speedway ... "Anything would have worked. I was looking all over for debris. I just couldn't find anything.''Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have dominated the Nationwide series this season - cars owned by the organization have won 13 times.Hamlin (3), Busch (5), Joey Logano (1) and Tony Stewart (5) have combined to win 14 of the 19 series races this year. Busch earned one of his... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Stewart sees challenge of winning as owner Jul 13, 2008
The two-car team currently fields the No. 66 car for Scott Riggs and the No. 70 car for Jason Leffler, and both cars are outside the top 35 in owners points going into Saturdays race at Chicagoland Speedway. The move had been widely anticipated, but Stewart confirmed it to his current crew members and other Gibbs employees at the teams race shop Wednesday. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Obama rejects NASCAR sponsorship offer Jul 13, 2008
Kahne to finally put forth winning ride at Chicagoland Speedway. Slide show. (MSNBC -- Sports)
PENSKE MATERIAL? Tough decision ahead for Newman Jul 13, 2008
Where: Chicagoland Speedway, 1. 5-mile trioval in Joliet, Ill. (USA Today -- Sports)
RESULTS: LifeLock.com 400 Jul 13, 2008
com 400 race for NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series at Chicagoland Speedway, listing starting position in parentheses, driver, car, laps completed with reason out if not running at the finish, points earned, driver rating and money won. 1. (USA Today -- Sports)
Lucky seven: Kyle Busch races to another Sprint Cup win Jul 13, 2008
Kyle Busch celebrates his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup victory after completing a weekend sweep at Chicagoland Speedway ... com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. (USA Today -- Sports)
BEECH: Transition to ownership won't be easy for Smoke Jul 13, 2008
Chicagoland Speedway. Elliott Sadler talks about racing at the Joliet, Ill. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
NASCAR cancels Cup qualifying after Chicago storms Jul 13, 2008
The line of strong storms moving in on Chicagoland Speedway was so big, bad and dark blue that it looked more like an impending tidal wave on the horizon. With sheets of rain pounding the track and flashes of lightning across the sky, NASCAR officials canceled Thursday night's Sprint Cup series qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
RB Henry fails another drug test Jul 13, 2008
Kyle Busch captured another Nationwide Series victory, winning the Dollar General 300 at the Chicagoland Speedway. Busch took the lead on the 95th lap in his No. 18 Toyota, held it until a pit stop on the 149th and then regained it five laps later for the remainder of the 200-lap race. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Jags' Jones arrested on felony drug charge Jul 13, 2008
Kyle Busch will start from the front of the grid for NASCAR's LifeLock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway tomorrow after rain washed out qualifying. Busch, the leader in championship points, will share the front row with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson of El Cajon round out the top five. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
