Route 66 Raceway Announces 1998 Inaugural Season Schedule of Events
13 January 1998
Route 66 Raceway Announces 1998 Inaugural Season Schedule of EventsJOLIET, Ill., Jan. 13 -- Route 66 Raceway today announced its 1998 line up of major spectator events at the first true "Stadium of Drag Racing." The aggressive schedule includes 16 major motorsports events sharing the 1/4 mile drag strip, 2-mile road course, 1/2 mile clay oval and the 1 mile off road course. Highlights of the schedule are the opening event Route 66 Nationals, featuring NHRA Winston Drag Racing on May 28-31, AMA Superbike Road Race on Aug. 4-9, and the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Sprint Cars on July 26th. "We are very proud of this schedule as it brings a wide cross section of motorsports entertainment to the people of Chicago," commented track CEO Dale Coyne. "Route 66 Raceway is the first major motorsports facility in the Chicagoland area, and the second largest stadium in Chicago. Area race fans now have a unique and exciting opportunity to experience major motorsports and special events in a modern state of the art facility." Other events include races from several National Series such as AMA Prostar Bike Drag Racing, Championship Off Road Racing, Hot Rod Magazines Fastest Street Car Series, AMA Grand National Oval Series, Super Chevy Weekend, SCCA Road Racing and NHRA's Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Inaugural events for 1998 and beyond include America's Corvette Show featuring one of the country's most professional and upscale Corvette Events of the year, Chicagoland Mopar Shootout, Truck Fest, Import Nationals, Harley Homecoming and the first factory supported Ford Nationals featuring Ford racing and production vehicles. This diverse schedule will bring increased exposure to Chicago and the Joliet markets. Twelve of the Route 66 Raceway's sixteen events will be televised in 1998. "We are currently working on two major concerts for 1998, other special events, and a full bracket racing program for 1998," adds Coyne. "This will be an exciting first season for racers and fans alike at Route 66 Raceway." Season tickets go on sale January 20th for the 1998 season. Individual tickets go on sale February 16th for the Inaugural Route 66 NHRA Nationals. For more information on events or tickets call the Route 66 box office at 815-722-5500. 1998 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS May 28-31 ROUTE 66 NATIONALS TNN NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series, Featuring the World's Premiere Drag Racing Series including the top pros from Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Truck and Pro Stock Bike. June 12-14 AMERICA'S CORVETTE SHOW ESPN World Class Corvette Show, Racing, Judging, Kruse Auction, Seminars, Road Racing etc., Co-Promoted Jim Purvis formerly of "Bloomington Gold." June 20-21 CHICAGOLAND MOPAR SHOOTOUT Featuring Mopar Racing, Swap Meet, Shows & more. July 10-12 STREET FIGHTER NATIONALS ESPN2 AMA Prostar Top Fuel, Pro Class and Street Class motorcycles from around the world. July 17-19 TRUCK FEST & CHAMPIONSHIP OFF ROAD RACING ESPN2 Truck Drag Racing, Show & Shine, Swap Meet, Off Road Truck Races featuring Walker Evans and factory teams on the 1-mile Clay Oval/Infield Track. July 24-26 HOT ROD MAGAZINE/MUSCLE CAR FASTEST STREET CAR SHOOTOUT ESPN2 Hot Rod Magazine Street, Show & Race Cars. July 26 PENNZOIL WORLD OF OUTLAWS Featuring the Winged Stars of Sprint Cars on the 1/2 mile Clay Oval. August 4-9 CHICAGO'S AMA SUPERBIKE WEEK FOX Featuring Superbike Road Racers from around the world on factory bikes. August 8 AMA GRAND NATIONAL OVAL RACING American Motorcycle Association Flat Track racers on the 1/2 mile Clay Oval. August 14-16 AMRA HARLEY HOMECOMING Harley Drag Racing, Show, Swap Meet and More. August 21-23 SUPER CHEVY WEEKEND ESPN2 National all Chevy Show featuring Drags, Swap, Shows & Jet Cars. August 28-30 INAUGURAL FORD NATIONALS ESPN2 The first Factory Authorized Ford extravaganza featuring Fords, Mustangs, Mercurys, Funny Cars, Vintage Ford Road Racing, Indy Cars, Swap Meet, Car Judging, Seminars, Special Appearances, Manufacturers Midway. Sept. 11-13 IMPORT NATIONALS ESPN2 Featuring Drag, Solo II, Road Racing and Oval Racing for Imported Cars, Manufactures Midway, Judging, etc. Sept. 18-20 FALL SPRINTS Traditional SCCA Multi Class Road Racing on the 2-mile Road Course. Sept. 25-27 NHRA DIVISION 3 FEDERAL-MOGUL RACING SERIES ESPN2 Featuring Alcohol Dragsters, Funny Cars, Pro Stocks and Divisional Classes. SOURCE Route 66 Raceway