Enjoy Illinois 300 sells out

“Corporate participation has been tremendous and demonstrates the business community realizes the significance of hosting a NASCAR event,” he said. “Everyone is working together to take the momentum of that first event and build it into a happening that becomes a highlight on the series schedule for many years to come.”

The second annual Enjoy Illinois 300 Presented By TicketSmarter NASCAR Cup Series race is set for 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Events connected to the race are expected to draw 100,000 people to the area, making a $60 million impact on the region.

Francois said WWTR’s 57,000 grandstand seats, more than 1,200 campsites and dozens of hospitality suite areas will be full for Sunday’s race. There will be no walk-up ticket options or general admission Sunday, and tickets will not be available onsite. Tickets may be available, however, on TicketSmarter, the official resale marketplace of WWTR.

According to Francois, a limited number of tickets remain available for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota 200 race planned for 12:30 p.m. Saturday. For Saturday tickets and additional information, call WWTR at 618-215-8888. Saturday’s activities includes NASCAR Cup Series qualifying and access to the on-site Confluence Music Festival.

Chip Wile, SVP & Chief Track Properties Officer, NASCAR, on Friday congratulated WWTR on Sunday’s sell-out.

“As we celebrate NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season, fans continue to showcase their excitement and support for the sport with our third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series sellout and sixth of the season,” he said. “We look forward to the intense competition that will be on display before a capacity crowd on Sunday.”

Spectators are encouraged to arrive early for all events this weekend. WWTR, the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation recommend fans should for arrive by 8 a.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

All vehicular parking is adjacent to the speedway and is included with each ticket. Fans arriving early will have access to the best general parking. Patrons with ADA or dedicated parking will need to visibly display color-coded parking passes. Parking managers will screen for ADA customers.

Fans are asked to follow observe signage near the track and follow the directions of on-site law enforcement officers.

Southbound Illinois 203 will be closed at Eagle Park-Bend Road to through traffic between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Only motorists with tickets will be allowed south of this intersection during these periods. Additional pedestrian access has been provided within and adjacent to WWTR to shorten walks to the events.

Camping has been relocated to the western edge of WTTR property.

VIP/Suite and Gold Key Parking is south of the main grandstand and reserved for event support and sponsors, as well as credentialed participants. A dedicated, color-coded parking pass will be required for entry into this area.

Westbound I-55/70 traffic with general admission parking is encouraged to use Exit 6 to Southbound Illinois 111 and westbound Collinsville Road (old Route 66). Rideshare drop for Lyft, Uber and taxis will be exclusively at 201 Madison Road in Madison. Tram service to the northeast corner of WWTR will begin at 11 a.m. each day.

Patrons who arrive late, Confluence Music Festival concertgoers, and participants in the JJK 5k are encouraged to park at 201 Madison Road and use the tram service. A large effort to switch traffic control will occur 30 minutes after the green flag each day which will impact traffic around WWTR.

Public transportation is available Saturday and Sunday by both Madison County Transit and St. Clair County Transit Services. A free shuttle will be provided from the Emerson Park multi-modal facility with pedestrian, bus and MetroLink access in East St. Louis to WWTR on Saturday.

Access to all businesses located along Ohio Avenue will be available all weekend, but motorists should expect delays and, when possible, use alternate routes.

On Saturday, NASCAR Cup Series practice begins at 9 a.m. followed by qualifying for the Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter. The inaugural JJK 5k will follow the conclusion of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota 200. Flo Rida and Tim Dugger are scheduled to take the Confluence Music Festival stage beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Spectator gates will open at 7 a.m. on Sunday. Brittney Spencer, Bailey Zimmerman and Brothers Osborne will perform on the Confluence Music Festival’s main stage beginning at 10:30 a.m. 

Driver introductions are set for 1:55 p.m. with the green flag at 2:30 p.m. Dierks Bentley will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. for a post-race concert.