Martin Truex Jr. Wins Chicagoland Speedway

JOLIET, IL - Martin Truex Jr. continued with his stellar NASCAR stock car racing season by winning Sunday's Tale of the Turtles 400 NASCAR at Chicagoland Speedway, the first race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Truex also won last year's big NASCAR race at Joliet's track. This racing season, Truex remains the top NASCAR driver. He has now won five races this year. Coming in second was Chase Elliott. He was followed by Kevin Harvick in third, Denny Hamlin in fourth and Kyle Larson rounding out the top five. On Saturday, the fans in the grandstands saw Illinois native Justin Allgaier win the 300 NASCAR XFinity Series.

Below are some of the key pre-race events that kept thousands of Joliet NASCAR races entertained.

Big Lincoln

The Illinois Office of Tourism will be showing off its life-size Abraham Lincoln mascot during Sunday's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Tales of the Turtles 400. Illinois Office of Tourism director, Cory Jobe, will also be on hand to discuss Chicagoland Speedway’s impact on Illinois tourism. According to a press release, Big Lincoln will be mingling with racing fans throughout the track between 8 a.m. and noon.

State Office Sponsors Pole Qualifying

The Illinois Treasurer's I-Cash Program Sponsored Friday's pole qualifying event. At the moment, the state Treasurer's Office notes it is safeguarding $2.5 billion of unclaimed money, 28 million shares of stock and contents of thousands of safe deposit boxes. "We hope to give race fans even more reason to celebrate," said Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs in a statement. "It just takes two minutes to visit our website ... to discover if you have property to claim. The average claim is $2,900."

Sugar Todd Named Honorary Pace Car Driver

U.S. Olympian speed skater Sugar Todd will be driving a 2018 Toyota Camry to begin Sunday's MENCS Playoffs. Todd has been involved in speed skating since she was eight and she competed in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in the 500 meter and 1,000 meter races. Todd will be aiming to make the Team USA for the upcoming 2018 Winter Games in South Korea.

Nickelodeon VP is Honorary Starter

VP of Marketing Mark Epstein will waive the green flag.

Country Music Star Hosts Pre-Race Concert

Hannah, South Carolina native Josh Turner will perform the prerace concert on the Chicagoland Speedway infield grass, starting around 12:15 p.m. His recently released sixth album features the hit single "Hometown Girl" that has reached No. 1 on country music charts. Turner is expected to play many of his most popular country hits including "Your Man," "Why Don't We Just Dance," and "All Over Me," according to Chicagoland Speedway marketing staff.

VIPs in the House

Jon Seda of NBC's Chicago P.D. and Mike Lee, the undefeated and world-ranked IBF boxing champion, will both take part in the Chicagoland Speedway's pre-racing NASCAR festivities.

Familiar Voice Returns

Jim Cornelison returns for the fifth straight year to perform the National Anthem. Most people are familiar with his nickname "The Gold Standard."

Ten Grand Marshals Named For Sunday's Tales of the Turtles 400:

Chicagoland Speedway has been recognizing everyday heroes coinciding with race day. NASCAR fans nominated their own heroes, and the 10 chosen winners were chosen as honorary grand marshals:

• Jim Griesenauer
• Lyndi Bieber
• Cauy Clarke
• Bill Vaci
• Ines Kutlesa
• Dylan Richardson
• Dale Stafford
• Robert Paoni
• Kevin Matychowiak
• Amy Jo Walter

Your Chicagoland Speedway Race Weekend Recap:

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