Okay a few things.
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We parked there at the track. Schweitzer road had easy access to get in and easier to get out. Try to stay away from Laraway, it’s essentially the “front door of the track” as traffic is flowed to route 53 and into the main parking areas. Don’t go all the way to the main gates,it’s tough to get in and out there, think of it as parking at the exit of turn 2. We literally have stayed till the end of the race, sprinted back to our parking in turn 2 and beat most everybody out using Schweitzer.
Second, tailgating. We did it all there, we got there as early as parking lots opened and spent the day there grilling. We also have gotten there with only like 1hr till green. It really depends on what your mood is. Parking WAS free so we’ll see if that changes with the speedways return.
Third, if you do decide to spend the bulk of the day there, get pit passes. It’s a cool way to see teams set up for the race, see drivers go to the drivers meeting and see media do their jobs. It’s great way to spend pre race especially if you have kids with you. We always got pit passes and would exit the tail gate with about 1hr 45 before green flag to experience the pits. It’s about a 20 min walk. The entrance into pit road is also very user friendly at Chicagoland as its a spacious tunnel and easy to navigate.
Fourth, do not use 80 when you’re driving in. Get off at the New Lenox exit at 80(there’s also a few bar/grills and chain restaurants that you can eat at on your way bask up to Wisconsin after the race) to take side streets into the track. Navigation on your phone will help with this. 80 traffic is flowed into 53, not good. However if you are getting there early enough, like when parking lots open it could be painless.
Thanks for coming to Chicagoland, it’s a nice facility. Great place to catch a race and there’s no bad seat in the house.
