Chicagoland Speedway to open NASCAR's 2011 Chase

Posted August 08, 2010 11:00 pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR will open the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup championship at Chicagoland Speedway.

The announcement was made Monday in Chicago by officials from the speedway and NASCAR.

New Hampshire International Speedway had opened the Chase since its 2004 inception. The shift to Chicago is part of a scheduling shuffle that NASCAR is piecing together for 2011.

NASCAR received several schedule requests from the two biggest track operators in the industry, and the sanctioning body is using the opportunity to make significant changes for 2011.

By opening its 10-race title series in Chicago, NASCAR will be racing in the second largest media market of tracks on its Sprint Cup tour.

Gov. Pat Quinn says he's excited for the potential economic impact of NASCAR's Sprint Cup championship opening race at Chicagoland Speedway.

Chicagoland Speedway representative Jay Keller said Monday he predicts next September's Chase 2011 race will add about $27 million in revenue and 500 jobs at the track.

Quinn also said at the news conference that NASCAR is "a part of Americana" and Illinois will welcome incoming fans.

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