Joliet to Hold Second Annual Nitro Nite

Photo: Joliet City Center Partnership employees Sarah Strickland, Mike Guglielmucci and Richard Fredrickson give details about Joliet’s Nitro Nite.

Looking for fast cars and fun times? Then head to Joliet’s Nitro Nite from 5 to 10 p.m. July 9 on Chicago Street in Joliet. The event will kick off the Route 66 National Hot Rod Association Nationals weekend at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet.

At a press conference held Monday, June 29, Joliet City Center Partnership Event Coordinator Mike Guglielmucci said Nitro Nite began last year when former Mayor Tom Giarrante suggested an event for the drag races.

“So we came up with Nitro Nite,” Guglielmucci said. “It was a great time last year. So we’ve gotta do it again.”

Fans at Nitro Nite will be given the opportunity to meet NHRA pro drivers Larry Dixon, Clay Millican and Tony Pedregon, enjoy live music by Soul Motion, eat some hot food and drink some cold beer and get a glimpse of Joliet’s finest cars. If you’ve got a car you want displayed, you can register here.

For the second annual event, a new VIP area will be included. VIP tickets are now available for purchase and include premium stage viewing, an NHRA driver meet and greet and autograph session, 2 free drink tickets, giveaways and a commemorative Nitro Nite cup. Patrons who buy their VIP tickets early will receive a special discounted price of $15 or $20 at the gate.

“You’ll buy the whole seat but you’ll only need the edge of it,” Guglielmucci said.

The Route 66 NHRA Nationals will take place from July 9 to July 12 at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet.