MADISON, Ill. (WAND) – The racing will heat up at Worldwide Technology Raceway in 2025.
The track and the NASCAR Cup Series announced Thursday that WWTR's usual spring race will be moved to Sept. 7 next season, which will see the short oval track in Madison, Illinois, host the opening round playoffs.
The Enjoy Illinois 300 will be the second race of the 10-event Cup Series playoffs. It is the only Cup event to be contested on the 1.25-mile oval next season. It will be a 240-lap, 300-mile race.
“We can't thank NASCAR enough for providing a race of this magnitude to this great sports market,” Worldwide Technology Raceway owner and CEO Curtis Francois said in a statement. “The St. Louis area has been accustomed to memories of great playoff events with the Blues, Cardinals and other sports teams over the years, and now we can finally add NASCAR to that honored list. NASCAR's selection of our race as a Cup Series playoff race is a tribute to all of the support from our dedicated fans, especially those who witnessed our race sell out the first three years. The continued evolution of Worldwide Technology Raceway would not be possible without the unwavering support and dedication of David Steward and his entire family.”
This June, WWTR’s Cup Series drew fans from 48 states and 20 countries.
“We are pleased to extend our partnership with Worldwide Technology Raceway as the title sponsor of the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series race for a fourth consecutive year,” said Danielle Thomas, Deputy Director of Tourism at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “The event has become a key platform for tourism in Illinois, attracting thousands of NASCAR fans from 48 states and more than 20 countries and generating $60 million in economic impact for the Metro East Illinois region. As a playoff race, the Enjoy Illinois 300 looks set to attract even more visitors to discover Southern Illinois' small businesses, outdoor adventures and iconic attractions.”
“This exciting news was only made possible by the vision and energy of Curtis Francois and his team,” said David L. Steward, founder and chairman of Worldwide Technology. “When Curtis and I discussed the naming rights opportunity in 2019, we knew we could bring NASCAR Cup Series racing to the Gateway Region and change the future of motorsports. Worldwide Technology and the Steward family are honored to be partners in making this new world a reality.”
The Cup Series consists of four rounds: the first three rounds consisting of three races each, the opening Round of 16, the Round of 12, the Round of 8, and finally the Championship Round 4. World Wide Technology Raceway will host the second race of the Round of 16.
Sixteen drivers qualify for the Cup Series Playoffs after the first 26 races of the regular season and compete for the win in the final 10. Playoff races will still be run with a full field, with other drivers competing for race wins but not eligible to compete for the championship.
After each round, four drivers are eliminated. The remaining four compete for the title in four championship rounds. The final round consists of the final race of the season, and the top-performing driver from his group is awarded the Bill France Cup as Cup Series champion.
Enjoy Illinois 300 race start times and the complete weekend schedule will be announced at a later date.
WWTR also announced it will join the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule beginning in 2025. The track will host a national series event on Saturday, Sept. 6 prior to Sunday's Cup race.
The announcement marks the Xfinity Series' return to World Wide Technology Raceway for the first time in 14 years. The facility hosted 15 Xfinity Series races from 1997-2010.
Its return in 2025 will be as a 200-lap, 250-mile event in the second tier of NASCAR's three-level national series.
WWTR noted that veteran Xfinity Series driver Justin Allgaier, who was born in Spaulding, Ill. and raised in Riverton, is especially welcome to return to the St. Louis area. Allgaier is in his 15th season and has earned 25 career wins and 10 pole positions, including a win at Worldwide Technology Raceway in 2010.
“I'm excited to be returning to Worldwide Technology Raceway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said Allgaier, a four-time NXS Driver of the Year. “Being able to race so close to home is very special not only for me, but for my family, friends and BRANDT Professional Agriculture. This place is so close to home for us, and I can't wait to go next year.”
The World Wide Technology Raceway Ticket Office is now accepting ticket deposits and renewals for NASCAR Weekend Packages. For more information, visit www.wwtraceway.com or contact the Ticket Office at (618) 215-8888.
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