Motorsports
Illinois’ tourism push includes millions for NASCAR events
Article Summary
- Illinois has spent nearly $7 million to sponsor a Metro East NASCAR race and build a temporary track in Chicago since 2022. The expenditures are part of a broader state tourism campaign.
- The state-sponsored Enjoy Illinois 300 outside St. Louis is the NASCAR Cup Series’ second playoff race this season and creates $60 million of regional economic impact.
- The Chicago Street Race is not returning in 2026 after generating a $128 million economic impact in 2024.
- The fiscal year 2026 state budget includes $7 million of unspent grant funding for NASCAR plus another $5 million of new grants.
This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
NASCAR will not be returning to Chicago streets next summer as the racing series takes its road act to likely sunnier weather in San Diego following two rain-plagued races out of its three years in Chicago.
But while the innovative race leaves town for at least one year, the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget still contains several millions of dollars for NASCAR. State records obtained by Capitol News Illinois show the state has spent nearly $7 million hosting or sponsoring the sport since 2022.
That includes sponsorship of the Enjoy Illinois 300 scheduled for Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison just across the river from St. Louis. The state-sponsored race is the second playoff race on the Cup Series schedule. It’s one of four NASCAR races scheduled to take place in Illinois this year.
Enjoy Illinois, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s tourism marketing campaign, has been the title sponsor of the race since NASCAR returned to the Metro East track in 2022.
“The event generates significant economic impact through attendee spending on hotels, restaurants, retail, and at other local businesses,” DCEO spokesperson Jordan Troy said in an email. “With the race now part of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, the national exposure has grown even more in turn amplifying our brand visibility to attract new and returning visitors to explore all that Illinois has to offer.”
The state’s sponsorship of this weekend’s race is not its largest NASCAR line item, however.
By the numbers
Enjoy Illinois’ marketing efforts extend beyond the state, with TV ads and billboards promoting Illinois tourism across the nation and world. The state previously launched a $30 million post-pandemic advertising campaign with actress Jane Lynch proclaiming the state as the “middle of everything.”
Enjoy Illinois has a $44 million marketing budget in FY26.
The department has also directed $15 million over recent years to broaden the types of events Illinois holds, pointing to Rockford becoming the host city of an IRONMAN triathlon and the 2026 American Hockey League all-star game.
The state has spent about $2.2 million since 2022 to sponsor the Metro East NASCAR race, including $795,000 for this year’s race, according to state records obtained through an open records request.
State lawmakers separately allocate funding for grants administered by DCEO from various state funds. That’s how funding was provided for the Chicago Street Race, which was held in Grant Park for three years beginning in 2023. State records show NASCAR received a $2 million grant from DCEO in 2023 to build and tear down the track and another $2.5 million for the 2024 race.
The Chicago Street Race marked the first time NASCAR built a track through city streets, which is a more common form of racing for Formula 1 and IndyCar. Grant performance records show NASCAR used the funding to pay a variety of companies, including union laborers, to build and tear down the track and move equipment to and from Grant Park. The reports show the work was completed on time and met the state’s standards for NASCAR to receive funding.
“While the scope and use of those funds were determined by the legislature and the grantee, the state’s involvement provided a valuable opportunity to integrate the Enjoy Illinois brand throughout the race venue, creating national visibility for our tourism campaign,” Troy said, adding the grant funding helped make the race possible given the size of its footprint in Grant Park.
NASCAR did not receive any state funding for the 2025 race, according to DCEO.
The state’s fiscal year 2026 budget reappropriates $7 million in grant funding that went unspent in a previous fiscal year and gives DCEO authority to grant another $5 million to NASCAR for “operating expenses.” The funds will not be released by the state until NASCAR provides a budget for the grant with details on how the money will be used.
NASCAR will be back to the Metro East area in 2026 and DCEO’s contract with World Wide Technology Raceway shows Enjoy Illinois has the option to extend its sponsorship to next year’s race.
NASCAR will also be returning to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet next July for the first time since 2019. A DCEO spokesperson said the department was not involved in any conversations about the sport returning to Joliet. Enjoy Illinois was the title sponsor of the NASCAR Truck Series’ 2013 race at Chicagoland Speedway.
Economic impact
DCEO says its marketing efforts are paying off, and the overarching tourism campaign has directly attracted 2 million additional visitors to the state. The department announced last week 113 million people visited Illinois in 2024 and spent a record $48.5 billion – $1.3 billion more than in 2023 with 500,000 more people visiting the state. Chicago saw a 7.7% increase in overnight visitors.
Enjoy Illinois’ contract for the Sept. 7 race in Madison includes several provisions designed to promote tourism in Illinois.
Enjoy Illinois will get three 30-second advertisements during the TV broadcast on the USA Network, a live interview with an Enjoy Illinois executive on the Motor Racing Network radio broadcast and nine promotional mentions on partner radio stations leading up to the race.
The track has also promised Enjoy Illinois at least three media interviews during the week before the race; sponsorship of fan engagement activities; video board commercials, public address announcements and social media ads; Enjoy Illinois signage around the track; and an Illinois tourism page on the track’s website.
“National cable partnerships like this offer high-impact visibility,” Troy said. “Requiring brand mentions and signage ensures that our tourism message reaches millions of potential travelers in a compelling way.”
NASCAR, the track and Enjoy Illinois also work together to promote the race on various platforms, Troy said.
Other parts of the contract give Enjoy Illinois the right to name a person to wave the green flag at the beginning of the race, the grand marshal, guests to participate in pre-race ride-alongs, and have an Office of Tourism official participate in pre-race and winner’s circle ceremonies, including presenting the trophy to the race winner.
The Enjoy Illinois 300 has sold out each year since it returned in 2022 and generated $60 million of economic activity for the Metro East region, according to DECO. Last year, 2.5 million people watched the race on TV.
The Chicago Street Race had a $128 million economic impact in 2024, according to state contracts – up from $109 million in 2023. Cup Series races both years were delayed and shortened by rain. The 2024 race also generated $9.6 million in state and local tax revenue, according to the Chicago Sports Commission. TV viewership peaked at 4.8 million people in 2023.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
This article first appeared on Capitol News Illinois and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The International Hot Rod Association announced it has acquired Heartland Motorsports Park in the Capital City.
IHRA made the announcement on its website, citing its commitment to preserving motorsports history and reimaging legendary venues.
Over the years, the Heartland Motorsports Park hosted concerts and races, bringing millions in revenue to the county.
The property was put into the hands of Topeka 77 in 2024 after its previous owners, Shelby Developments tax dispute with the county.
IHRA’s vision is to honor the facility’s past while “positioning the property as a modern destination entertainment complex.”
IHRA’s owner made the following statement on their website:
IHRA hopes to extend Heartland Motorsports Park beyond competition weekends and plans to create a year-round destination, blending motorsports with entertainment and community engagement, such as:
- Revitalized drag racing operations with improved racer and fan amenities
- Expanded motorsports and special event programming
- Live music, concerts, and festival experiences
- Enhanced hospitality, vendor, and fan-experience areas
- Community-focused events designed to drive tourism and economic impact
IHRA said they plan to begin renovations immediately.
WIBW has reached out to GO Topeka for further details.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Copyright 2025 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Heartland Motorsports Park has been part of drag racing’s history for more than six decades, and now the Topeka, Kansas, facility is entering a new era. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced it has acquired Heartland Motorsports Park, a move that signals both a deep respect for the track’s legacy and a forward-looking plan to expand what the property can be in today’s motorsports landscape.
Originally opened in 1963 as Topeka Dragway, the facility grew into what became known as Heartland Motorsports Park, one of the most versatile racing complexes in the country. Over the years, it’s hosted everything from drag racing to road racing, karting, motocross, and countless grassroots events.
With IHRA now at the helm, the goal is not to erase that history, but to build on it.
“Heartland Motorsports Park is one of those places that simply matters to racing,” said IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell. “It has history, soul, and a footprint that allows us to think bigger than just a racetrack. Our goal is to restore this facility with respect for its legacy while building something that serves racers, fans, and the community for generations.”
That “thinking bigger” is a key part of IHRA’s vision. Rather than focusing solely on race weekends, the association plans to transform Heartland into a year-round destination that blends motorsports with live entertainment and community-driven events. While drag racing remains at the core, IHRA is looking to expand the overall experience for racers, fans, and the surrounding region.
Planned improvements include revitalized drag racing operations with upgraded racer and fan amenities, expanded motorsports programming, and the addition of concerts, festivals, and special events. Enhanced hospitality areas, vendor space, and fan experience zones are also part of the long-term plan, along with community-focused events designed to boost tourism and economic impact in the Topeka area.
“Motorsports has to evolve to stay strong,” Cuttell said. “The future is about creating places where racing, music, entertainment, and community come together. Heartland has all the pieces to become one of the premier motorsports and entertainment destinations in the country.”
Renovation planning is already underway, with IHRA expected to release more details on redevelopment phases, event schedules, and community partnerships in the coming months.
Note: The Penske Entertainment editorial staff is looking back at the five biggest moments of 2025 in INDY NXT by Firestone in this year-end series, with one installment appearing on the site per day in countdown fashion from Dec. 27-31.
Myles Rowe ended the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season in style, scoring a commanding victory in the season finale Aug. 31 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Rowe led 20 of 65 laps to earn his second career win in the INDYCAR development series – both coming during a breakout 2025 season.
That feat marked a satisfying conclusion to a year defined by growth and resilience. ABEL Motorsports originally signed Rowe following a difficult rookie INDY NXT campaign with HMD Motorsports/Force Indy in 2024, when he went winless in 14 starts despite entering the series as the reigning USF Pro 2000 champion.
In 2025, he rewarded ABEL’s confidence by delivering two wins in his final six races, providing a timely boost to his upward trajectory.
Winning once – his breakthrough July 12 triumph at Iowa Speedway – would have been meaningful on its own. Winning twice made a stronger statement.
“It’s nice when the results start to match what you believe in your heart,” Rowe said.
Rowe’s rise has been anything but typical. After beginning in karting, he advanced to the Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series in 2017 and 2018, but financial limitations forced him to step away in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated sponsorship prospects, and Rowe shifted his focus to photography while attending Pace University, unsure if he would ever return to racing.
That changed with the launch of Penske Entertainment’s Race for Equality & Change initiative in 2020, which created new pathways for minorities and women in motorsports. From that effort, Force Indy was established. In 2021, Rod Reid – founder of NXG Youth Motorsports – offered Rowe a lifeline with a USF2000 opportunity.
Rowe seized it, becoming the first Black driver to win a race in the series with a breakthrough victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park. He remained in USF2000 in 2022 with Pabst Racing, while Force Indy moved up to INDY NXT. Rowe delivered five wins that season and finished just six points short of the championship, placing second to Michael d’Orlando.
His ascent continued in 2023 with Pabst and continued Force Indy support in USF Pro 2000. Five more wins secured the title and made Rowe the first Black driver to win a North American open-wheel championship.
That achievement earned him a career enhancement scholarship to step up to INDY NXT in 2024. But his rookie year proved challenging, as he finished 11th in the standings. In 2025, he rebounded convincingly with six podium finishes, including an impressive 2.5 average finish across four oval starts. He added three podiums on road and street circuits, underscoring his versatility.
Rowe returns to ABEL Motorsports in 2026, aiming for the championship.
Ireland’s Derek Tohill has accomplished a great deal over the course of his decorated rallycross career, being crowned on multiple occasions in the domestic series as well as two times apiece in the British and European Championships. Something he has never been able to experience, however, is competing in front of his home fans at international level. Until now.
Tohill’s achievements speak for themselves. The Dubliner made his FIA European Rallycross Championship bow back in 2008, contesting Division 2 behind the wheel of a Honda Civic Type R. Having switched to a Ford Fiesta, he won his first title two years later, before seeing off no less a driver than Robin Larsson to triumph in the TouringCar category in 2013.
That prompted a step-up to the newly-formed World Championship the following season, when he piloted an LD Motorsports Citroën DS3 to five points finishes, recording a best result of eighth in Finland.
From 2016 to 2018, Tohill raced in Euro RX’s headlining Supercar class (now Euro RX1), twice advancing to the final and placing seventh overall in 2017. He subsequently lifted the laurels in the British Championship in 2021 – repeating the feat this year – and has collected no fewer than nine Irish Rallycross Championship trophies. He continues to lead the charge in the current campaign as he seeks to secure the spoils for an astonishing tenth time.
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A stalwart of the national rallycross scene, the 50-year-old has warmly welcomed Mondello Park’s return to the European Championship schedule in 2026 following an absence of three decades – the dawn of an exciting new chapter in Ireland’s proud rallycross history. It is, Tohill acknowledges, both a tremendous opportunity and a colossal responsibility.
“This is monumental for rallycross in our country,” the DA Racing Peugeot 208 driver told motorsport.ie. “It was Euro RX events that led me to compete in Europe in the first place, but I have never experienced a ‘home’ round in all my years racing at European and World Championship level. To now have one is fantastic for the sport, both in the short and longer-term.
“I’m under no illusions that the success of such a high-profile event will require massive effort from the wider motorsport and rallycross communities, and from our ASN, Motorsport Ireland. The French round at Lohéac relies upon over 700 volunteers to make it happen – that’s a small indication of what is involved.
“Our challenge is even greater, considering Ireland has not organised something on this scale for 30 years, so I hope everyone can pull together to create a must-have event for the championship – not just in 2026 but for many years to come!”
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Lando Norris crowned a breakthrough season in 2025 by claiming his first Formula One world title, bringing Max Verstappen’s four-year reign to an end and ushering in a new era for the sport.
Whether the McLaren driver can repeat the feat remains the looming question.
The championship was anything but straightforward.
At 26, Norris turned a long-held dream into reality through a season of sharp swings, victories mixed with costly errors and cruel misfortune in a tense three-way fight for supremacy.
Even as he celebrated edging Red Bull’s Verstappen by two points and beating Australian teammate Oscar Piastri by 13, Norris acknowledged the triumph might yet prove fleeting.
Formula One, set to grow to 11 teams with the arrival of Cadillac, is heading toward a seismic reset next season, with a new generation of engines and the biggest technical overhaul in decades.
The usual contenders are expected to remain competitive, but nobody truly knows who will be ahead in 2026.
McLaren’s first title double since 1998
“It could be my only opportunity in my life that I get to do such a thing,” Norris said of running the champion’s No. 1 on his car next season.
“I have a lot of faith in my team, and we’ve achieved a lot in the last few years together. I’m confident we will achieve a lot more together. But Formula One is unpredictable. You never know how much things can change. You never know what can happen.”
McLaren have now won two straight constructors’ titles and this year completed the drivers’ and teams’ title double for the first time since 1998.
While Norris and Piastri were the only drivers to lead the standings, and the Briton was a deserving champion, Verstappen produced some of the season’s standout moments with one of the great comebacks in the sport’s 75-year history.
“Championships are important, but they do not tell the whole story. Sometimes the best driver does not win the title,” said Damon Hill, who dethroned Ferrari great Michael Schumacher to claim the 1996 crown.
Verstappen was at times in a league of his own against a backdrop of upheaval at Red Bull, who fired team principal Christian Horner in July and said farewell to consultant Helmut Marko in December.
The Dutch driver went from 104 points behind Piastri at the end of August to 11 ahead at the checkered flag and said it was probably the best he has driven in Formula One, a striking assessment from someone who won a record 19 of 22 races in 2023.
Verstappen won more, Piastri led longer
Norris did not win the most races or lead the championship the longest. Verstappen took eight victories, including the final three of the season, while the two McLaren drivers finished with seven wins apiece.
Piastri topped the standings from April through the end of October.
The Australian is expected to be even more determined in 2026 after a steep learning curve that at one stage appeared likely to crown him Australia’s first world champion in 45 years.
Mercedes, who power McLaren and whose factory team finished runners-up with two wins from George Russell, could also pose a much stronger challenge.
The last time the sport underwent a major engine change, in 2014, Mercedes embarked on a run of eight consecutive constructors’ titles.
Ferrari, winless and without a championship since 2008, will be under pressure to deliver after seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton failed to reach the podium in a disappointing first season at Maranello.
Next season will also feature the first Adrian Newey-designed Aston Martin, Verstappen racing a Red Bull powered by the energy drink company’s own engine in partnership with Ford, and Audi replacing Sauber.
Frenchman Isack Hadjar joins Verstappen at Red Bull after an impressive rookie season with Racing Bulls that included his first podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.
How the 21-year-old measures up, as Verstappen’s fourth teammate since the end of 2024, will be another compelling storyline when the season opens in Australia on March 8.
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