Soul Asylum, Cracker and Sponge to Headline Celebration of 66 Fest

Last Updated on March 25, 2025 by WWTR

The musical line-up for the Celebration of 66 Fest at World Wide Technology Raceway alongside Bommarito 500 on June 13-15, 2025, has been released 

MADISON, Ill. (March 19, 2025) – Discover Downstate Illinois Tourism has announced the musical line-up of 90’s rock legends Soul Asylum, Cracker and Sponge to headline the Celebration of 66 Fest at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 13-15, 2025. As the kick-off to the Centennial Celebration of Route 66, the music festival will take place alongside the 9th Annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 NTT INDYCAR SERIES weekend. 

“Each event at World Wide Technology Raceway becomes a canvas for extraordinary talent, and the Celebration of 66 Fest is no exception. We’re thrilled the racetrack offers a weekend full of fun, featuring the iconic sounds of 90’s rock ‘n’ roll, for all the attendees,” said Darlene Chapman, President of Discover Downstate Illinois. 

To kick-off the star-studded weekend, American rock-band Cracker will take the stage on Saturday, June 14, for a high-energy show immediately following Saturday evening’s United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown Series “Route 66 Classic.”  The performance caps off a full-day of racing action including practice and qualifying for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and concludes with a spectacular fireworks show at approximately 9:30 p.m.  The band’s wide discography, featured on their nine studio albums, includes mixed influences of rock, punk, grunge, psychedelia, country, blues and folk. Their ample portfolio includes 1992’s number one single “Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)” and “Low”, “Get Off This” and “Euro-Trash Girl.” 

On Sunday, June 15, the pre-race party will kick off at 12 p.m. when Sponge performs as they tour in support of their 10th studio album, “Planet Girls,” that was released in 2024. The Detroit-based band has released a plethora of music during their over 30-year career, in which the band has produced hits such as “Plowed,” “Molly (16 Candles Down the Drain)” and “Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina).”  

To conclude the amazing weekend, immediately following the checkered flag on Sunday, Soul Asylum will take the stage for an exciting post-race concert, which will include hits such as “Misery,” “Black Gold” and “Somebody to Shove.” The grammy award winning Minnesota band, led by lead singer Dave Pirner, burst onto the music scene in 1992 with their triple-platinum album “Grave Dancers Union” that featured best rock song award winning “Runaway Train.”

All headlining artists will perform on the Turn 4 Midway Stage adjacent to the Bommarito Automotive Group Experience display. Your concert ticket is included in the price of your race ticket, so you can see these 90’s rock legends and experience the high-speed INDYCAR action. 

In addition to the midway concerts, local bands Agent 99 and Black Water Acoustic will perform in the campground at the new ‘Shed’ music experience. Agent 99 will entertain campers on Friday, and Black Water Acoustic will take their place on Saturday. 

Alongside an incredible rock lineup and action-packed NTT INDYCAR SERIES event, the rising stars of INDY NXT by Firestone will also compete in Sunday’s event.  This INDYCAR developmental series has produced top INDYCAR competitors and will take on the oval before the main INDYCAR event on Sunday afternoon. 

The 2025 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 will be the first oval after the Indianapolis 500, which is where the five-time Bommarito 500 winner, Josef Newgarden, has gathered wins two years in a row. The 2024 Madison, Illinois race featured a track record of passes, with 676 total passes, and highlighted a very close competition between the 27 drivers. 

Come celebrate Route 66, listen to great music and watch the high-speed INDYCAR action at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 weekend. For more information on tickets please visit wwtraceway.com or call out ticket office at (618) 215-8888 Ext. 1. 

Celebration of 66 Fest Schedule

Schedule subject to change

Discover Downstate Illinois Free Friday

Friday, June 13

Track Walk                                                                                         5 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Gateway Garage Preview                                                             5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Drive-In Movie                                                                                   8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Campground Concert –  ‘Agent 99’                                               9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Saturday, June 14

INDY NXT Autograph Session                                                      6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

Concert – ‘Cracker’                                                                      8:30 p.m. 

(Midway Stage at Tunnel)                                                            (Following USAC Silver Crown Event)

Fireworks                                                                                        9:30 p.m.

Campground Concert – ‘Black Water Acoustic’                       9:45 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Sunday, June 15

INDYCAR Autograph Session                                                     10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Pre-Race Concert- “Sponge”                                                     12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

(Midway Stage at Tunnel)

Pre-race                                                                                          1 p.m.

Green Flag                                                                                     2:15 p.m.

Post-race                                                                                       Estimated 4:21 p.m.

Post-race Concert – “Soul Asylum”                                       Estimated 4:30 p.m.

(Midway Stage at Tunnel)                                                          (10 minutes post-race)

About Discover Downstate Illinois 

Discover Downstate Illinois covers more ground than any other Convention and Visitor’s Bureau in the State of Illinois. We represent 21 counties and 4 cities stretching from the Mississippi River east of St. Louis, MO to the Wabash River west of Vincennes, IN. We are both rural and urban, allowing guests to enjoy the big city life and simple, country treasures all at once! For more information, go to downstateil.org or call our office at (618) 257-1488. 

CONTACT: Jordan Jackovich | Communications Manager | jjackovich@downstateil.org |  (618) 257-1488 

About World Wide Technology Raceway 

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the home of NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA racing in St. Louis’ Metro East region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 700 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1.25-mile superspeedway; 1/4-mile drag strip; 2.0-mile road course; the Gateway Kartplex state-of-the-art karting facility; and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and Owner & CEO Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2023 St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame induction; 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by the St. Louis Business Journal; 2022 Explore St. Louis Hospitality Hero Recognition; 2022 Best in Show and Best Event & Festival from the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism; 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association. Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.

MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Buschhorn | pbuschhorn@wwtraceway.com | (314) 517-5125 (cell)

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