Enjoy Illinois 300 sells out, again. Here’s how to avoid raceway traffic this weekend

Meredith Howard
·6 min read

NASCAR will return to the metro-east this weekend, and while the Enjoy Illinois 300 race is sold out, tickets are still available for Saturday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Toyota 200.

The local 2023 NASCAR events will take place Friday through Sunday at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill.

Along with the race, the event will also include a music festival, driver appearances, a fan track walk, a church service, a 5K and more.

Here’s what to know about the NASCAR event, whether you’re a fan hoping to get a last-minute ticket or a local simply trying to avoid the traffic.

Traffic flow around NASCAR events

Taxis and rideshare services should use 201 Madison Road in Madison, according to a May 25 press release from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and World Wide Technology Raceway. Signs will be posted to direct drivers to drop-off and pick-up areas.

Additional pedestrian access has been provided within and around the raceway to shorten walks to events, according to a Friday press release from World Wide Technology Raceway.

“Camping has been relocated to the western edge of WTTR property to enhance this experience and limit conflicts with pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” the release continued.

Those with general admission tickets using westbound Interstate-55/Interstate-70 should take Exit 6 to southbound Illinois 111 and westbound Collinsville Road, officials said.

“Even if you are a regular track patron, there have been many upgrades inside and around World Wide Technology Raceway which may change your route to, or destination within, the property,” IDOT officials said.

Race attendees who arrive late or those going to the music festival or the 5K are encouraged to park at 201 Madison Road and use the tram service to the racetrack.

Drivers can expect “occasional delays” and should allow for additional time to travel around the racetrack, the press release continued. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and use alternative routes.

Those traveling near the track can expect congestion and roadway restrictions between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Interstate 55 and Interstate 70, Illinois 203 and Collinsville Road, officials said.

Southbound Illinois 203 will be closed to through traffic between Bend Road and Interstate 55/Interstate 70, and drivers will need to display a parking pass, ticket or credential to travel there during race weekend.

“Other restrictions will be implemented throughout each day that could impact roadways around the speedway based upon traffic volume – including a lane reduction on WB I-55/70 at the conclusion of races each day,” officials said.

Officials urge drivers to pay close attention to signs and changing conditions, follow posted speed limits, avoid cell phone use and look out for pedestrians, workers, police and equipment.

Parking and transportation

Shuttle services will be available from East St. Louis, Fairview Heights, Granite City and Collinsville through the St. Clair County Transit District, MetroLink and Madison County Transit.

All four of the shuttles are offering free transportation to the event and back, but regular MetroBus/MetroLink fares apply to get to the shuttle sites from your home. Here’s what to know:

  • Park at 50 Ludwig Drive in Fairview Heights only Sunday from 8 a.m. to 30 minutes after the last concert ends.

  • The Emerson Park MetroLink station at 929 N. 15th St. East St. Louis will offer transportation to the racetrack from 8 a.m. to 30 minutes after the last concert ends Saturday and Sunday.

  • Park at the Granite City Crossroad Plaza Sunday starting at 8 a.m. for rides to the race.

  • The MCT Gateway Convention Center Park & Ride in Collinsville will provide transportation Sunday starting at 8 a.m.

World Wide Technology Raceway will hold this year’s Enjoy Illinois 300 race weekend June 3 to June 4, with some additional events on Friday. Provided
World Wide Technology Raceway will hold this year’s Enjoy Illinois 300 race weekend June 3 to June 4, with some additional events on Friday. Provided

Onsite parking is included with race tickets, and upgrades are available for purchase. Some options are sold out. Arriving early gives you a better chance of getting a good spot, officials say.

Sold-out NASCAR race

The Enjoy Illinois 300 is sold out for the second consecutive year, officials said in the Friday release. The racetrack’s 57,000 grandstand seats and 1,200 campsites will be full, as will dozens of hospitality suites.

“As we celebrate NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season, fans continue to showcase their excitement and support for the sport with our third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series sellout and sixth of the season,” Chip Wile, senior vice president and chief track properties officer at NASCAR, said in the statement. “Congratulations to our partners at World Wide Technology Raceway, who continue to have a tremendous impact for NASCAR in the greater St. Louis region. We look forward to the intense competition that will be on display before a capacity crowd on Sunday.”

It’s not too late to grab tickets for Saturday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Toyota 200, however. Saturday tickets also include admission to the Confluence Music Festival.

Saturday tickets are listed for $57 to $77 as of Friday morning.

Enjoy Illinois 300 event schedule

Here’s the schedule of events for the race weekend:

June 2: “Free Friday”

  • 10 to 11:30 a.m. NASCAR Haulers Touch-a-Truck at the raceway’s special events lot. Open to the public

  • 11 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch with Legends featuring Kenny Wallace (This event is ticketed and sold out.)

  • Noon NASCAR Cup series haulers parade to Gateway Garage

  • 2 p.m. Guided fan Track Walk

  • 3 to 8 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series technical inspections (open to fans with Saturday or Sunday Infield Fan Experience passes)

  • 5 p.m. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota 200 practice

  • 5:30 p.m. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota 200 qualifying

Saturday, June 3:

  • 6 a.m. Parking lots open

  • 7 a.m. Spectator gates and Infield Fan Experience open; Midway stages go live for Confluence Music Festival

  • 8 to 9 a.m. Midwest is Best party (free for those with race tickets, but you must show this flyer to get in). Includes free coffee, donuts and breakfast sandwiches

  • 9 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series qualifying

  • 10:30 a.m. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver autograph session (Infield Fan Experience ticket required)

  • 11 a.m. Rissi Palmer concert

  • Noon NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver introductions

  • 12:30 p.m. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota 200 (160 laps/200 miles)

  • 3 p.m. SpeedFreaks at the NASCAR Fan Zone Stage (infield)

  • 3:30 p.m. Jackie Joyner-Kersee 5K infield/track

  • 4 p.m. Fuel Your Dreams Auto Show

  • 5:15 p.m. Flo Rida concert at the Confluence Main Stage

  • 6:30 p.m. Tim Dugger “Saturday Wrap-up Party” on the Midway Concert Celebration Stage

  • 7 p.m. Race track and infield fan zone close

  • 8 p.m. Midway closes after Tim Dugger concert

Sunday, June 4:

  • 7 a.m. Event areas open

  • 8 a.m. MRO non-denominational church service at Celebration Stage

  • 9 a.m. Garage Talk Live with the Garage Guys, featuring driver appearance

  • 9:30 a.m. Kenny Wallace Live! with John Roberts

  • 10 a.m. Track open to fans with Infield Experience or Driver Introduction pass

  • 10:30 a.m. Brittney Spencer

  • 11:15 a.m. Bailey Zimmerman

  • 12:30 p.m. Brothers Osborne (Infield Experience and Driver Introduction Pass required for track access viewing.)

  • 1:55 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series driver introductions

  • 2:30 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 (240 laps/300 miles)

  • 6 p.m. Fan Track Walk

  • 6:30 p.m. Dierks Bentley concert at Confluence Main Stage