{"id":26539,"date":"2022-03-14T09:01:11","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T14:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwtraceway.com\/?p=26539"},"modified":"2022-03-14T16:11:27","modified_gmt":"2022-03-14T21:11:27","slug":"wwtr-announces-june-5-nascar-cup-race-sponsor-enjoy-illinois-300","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wwtraceway.com\/wwtr-announces-june-5-nascar-cup-race-sponsor-enjoy-illinois-300\/","title":{"rendered":"WWTR announces June 5 NASCAR Cup race sponsor: Enjoy Illinois 300"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s Official: NASCAR Cup Series Race at World Wide Technology Raceway Named\u00a0<\/strong>\u2018Enjoy Illinois 300\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to Sponsor\u00a0<\/em>Inaugural Cup Series Race at WWTR<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo: JR Compton<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

MADISON, ILL. (March 14, 2022)<\/strong> \u2013 With less than 100 days until the green flag waves at the start of the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) on June 5, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announce the race\u2019s official name: Enjoy Illinois 300<\/strong>, sponsored by the Illinois Office of Tourism.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Enjoy Illinois 300 establishes Illinois\u2019 own World Wide Technology Raceway as the country\u2019s standout track for stock car, open-wheel, and drag racing alike,\u201d said Governor JB Pritzker. <\/strong>\u201cI promised to be our state\u2019s best Chief Marketing Officer, and with the return of NASCAR to Illinois, visitors from around the nation have yet another reason to come explore all that Metro East has to offer. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase Illinois and we look forward to welcoming NASCAR fans to our great state.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NASCAR Cup Series is enjoyed by millions of viewers across the globe nearly year-round \u2013 at the track, on television and through robust digital platforms. These events are credited with delivering millions of dollars annually to host communities. An economic impact study recently completed by The Rawlings Sports Business Management Department at Maryville University projects that this NASCAR Cup Series event will produce at least $60 million in economic impact for the region, attracting more than 83,000 fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we prepare to host the largest spectator event in the state, we are thrilled to partner with the Illinois Office of Tourism to deliver the best Illinois has to offer,\u201d said Curtis Francois, Owner & CEO of WWTR<\/strong>. \u201cWe have worked in close collaboration with officials from the Metro East and St. Louis to create one of the nation’s premier destinations for the motorsports industry and its incredibly passionate fans, and I look forward to hosting them for this historic race weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to partner with WWTR to become the title sponsor for the Enjoy Illinois 300, the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at this track,\u201d said Sylvia I. Garcia, Acting Director of DCEO.<\/strong> \u201cThis is an incredible opportunity to drive economic development and tourism in the Metro East region and we look forward to attracting visitors from around the country who will travel to Illinois for race weekend and see all our great state has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

The week will feature several other events, such as: the World of Outlaws Late Model Series at nearby Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, on Friday, June 3; the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200 on Saturday, June 4 and conclude with the Enjoy Illinois 300 on Sunday, June 5.\u00a0 There will be live entertainment from local, regional, and national musicians all weekend at WWTR.<\/p>\n

Race week will officially kick off on Thursday, June 2 with a NASCAR hauler parade through downtown St. Louis, which will cross the Mississippi River and arrive at the track, officially commencing the start of Cup Series race festivities \u2013 bringing together communities in both states to celebrate the arrival of the NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the minute the opportunity came on our radar, Governor Pritzker and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity joined me in making the case to NASCAR that St. Clair County would be the right place for a Cup Series Race\u201d said Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville).<\/strong> \u201cThe fact that the race will be called \u2018Enjoy Illinois 300\u2019 is a testament to Illinois\u2019 commitment and excellence when it comes to executing large-scale events. I look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of NASCAR fans to the Metro East as they come see everything we have to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more than 250 annual events at WWTR have been a tremendous tourism driver for the state,\u201d said Karla Flannery, Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism.<\/strong> \u201cAs the only racetrack in the U.S. to host the elite series from each of the three major race sanctioning bodies \u2013 NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA \u2013 hundreds of thousands of visitors support this multipurpose venue each year.\u00a0We are proud to support the continuing economic growth and development at WWTR as it evolves into a vibrant multi-faceted entertainment district.\u201d<\/p>\n

ENJOY ILLINOIS 300 WEEKEND SCHEDULE: CLICK HERE<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

For more information about the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series Race at World Wide Technology Raceway, visit WWTRaceway.com<\/a>. To purchase tickets to the NASCAR Cup Series race, visit WWTRaceway.com<\/a> or call 618-215-8888.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the Illinois Office of Tourism. visit EnjoyIllinois.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About World Wide Technology Raceway<\/strong><\/p>\n

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the home of NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA racing in the St. Louis region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 600 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR\u2019s facilities include a 1\/4-mile drag strip, 1.25-mile superspeedway, recently expanded 2.0-mile road course, the Gateway Kartplex (a state-of-the-art karting facility), and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and Owner Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 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.<\/p>\n

About the Illinois Office of Tourism:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism manages industry efforts that result in sustainable and significant economic and quality-of-life benefits for Illinois residents.\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo: Patrick Vallely<\/strong><\/em><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s Official: NASCAR Cup Series Race at World Wide Technology Raceway Named\u00a0\u2018Enjoy Illinois 300\u2019 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to Sponsor\u00a0Inaugural Cup Series Race at WWTR Photo: JR Compton   MADISON, ILL. 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