Chicagoland Speedway Hosts NASCAR Cup Playoffs Sept. 14-17

JOLIET, IL - The biggest race week of the year is quickly approaching at Chicagoland Speedway. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are next weekend in Joliet. Thursday marks the ARCA racing series at Chicagoland Speedway. Friday is the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Saturday is the NASCAR XFINITY Series. And the big race is Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

This past week, Joliet Patch snagged an interview with Chase Briscoe, who won last year's ARCA race at the Chicagoland Speedway. Briscoe said he's excited to be returning to the Chicagoland Speedway.

"Chicagoland is one of my favorite places to race," Briscoe told Joliet Patch. "It's challenging because it is one of the bumpier race tracks."

Chicagoland Speedway still has its original pavement from 2001. The track is dubbed the Magnificent Mile and a Half. Despite the track's age, many NASCAR drivers still like it as it is, including Briscoe.

Chase Briscoe said he is excited to be coming back and hopes to get another victory. "I think Chicagoland Speedway's fans are some of the best fans. I think the fans are really passionate about their racing. It's just a cool week to go to and a fun time," Briscoe told Patch. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Briscoe said he realizes the stakes are high in Joliet next week. The 22-year-old driver was the 2016 ARCA Racing Series Champion. This year, Briscoe drives the #29 Cooper Standard F-150 for Brad Keselowski Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

"It's going to be a big race to build momentum for the playoffs," Briscoe said.

As one of last year's big winners, Chase Briscoe will certainly be one of the big draws during the upcoming four days of racing, which begins Thursday night and lasts through Sunday, September 17.

"He's definitely in the championship hunt," said Chicagoland Speedway spokesman Denny Hartwig.

Chase Briscoe is also a racer who has lots of glowing things to say about the quality of the Chicagoland Speedway, Hartwig noted. "He continues to talk about how great our track is."

If you are thinking of visiting Chicagoland Speedway for Joliet's biggest racing week of the year, here are several things you might want to know:

• Tickets are now on sale:

• Tickets for children 12 and under are $25 off including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

• Parking is free at Chicagoland Raceway.

• Coolers are permitted at Chicagoland Raceway.

• The NASCAR track is only 40 minutes from downtown Chicago.

• There are plenty of options available for NASCAR fans who like to camp. Sites start as low as $130 for the weekend.

• Pets are allowed in all campgrounds.
• Chicagoland Speedway offers several different admissions options for NASCAR fans. You can buy single-day tickets for Sunday's big race or get a pass for all of next week's races. For details on seating and ticket prices, visit the website for Chicagoland Speedway or call 888-629-RACE.

Images via Chicagoland Speedway