Chicagoland Speedway to install lights for 2008 season

Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet announced Tuesday the installation of lights for the 2008 season.

With this new addition to the 1.5-mile, D-shaped oval, Chicagoland Speedway becomes only the 10th NASCAR Nextel Cup facility able to hold night racing.

"We are very excited to announce the addition of lights to Chicagoland Speedway for the upcoming 2008 season," said Matthew Alexander, president of Chicagoland Speedway. "Night racing is one of the most thrilling experiences for fans to be a part of, and now we will be able to bring that type of buzz and exciting atmosphere to our facility for fans to enjoy. Other NASCAR tracks with lights have experienced tremendous success when hosting night races and we anticipate similar results at Chicagoland Speedway. This is an exciting step for the growth of racing in the Chicago market."

The NASCAR race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in 2008 will feature two night races - the NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday, July 11, followed by the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race on Saturday, July 12.

"Traditionally, our NASCAR races have taken place during the time of year when excessive heat can become an issue for our fans. By adding lights to our facility, we hope to make the guest experience a more comfortable one. In addition, we will now have the flexibility to run events later in the day in the event of inclement weather," continued Alexander. "This is just another way we are continuing our effort of making sure we consistently provide our fans with a quality product and overall experience."