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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Ever since the first gasoline powered race was
3held along the Chicago lakefront in 1895, Illinois has played a
4significant role in establishing motorsports as one of the most
5exciting and popular spectator sports in the world; and
 
6    WHEREAS, In 1997, nine area entrepreneurs came together to
7create the Route 66 Raceway, a state-of-the-art facility
8featuring a one-quarter mile drag strip and a one-half mile
9oval track along the historic roadway; and
 
10    WHEREAS, In 2001, due to its international popularity with
11fans and race enthusiasts, Route 66 Raceway was transformed to
12include Chicagoland Speedway, featuring a one and one-half
13mile, D-shaped tri-oval speedway, with the combined entities
14now forming the largest sports and entertainment complex in the
15State of Illinois; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway host and
17execute a broad array of programming encompassing well over 100
18events annually, including major motorsports entertainment,
19endurance events, musical concerts and festivals, industry
20trade shows, and corporate training seminars which combined
21generate an average economic impact in excess of $150 million
22annually throughout the Chicagoland area; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Chicagoland Speedway is celebrating its 15th year
2of racing; in the last 15 years, the raceway has played host to
3major United States racing events, including all three NASCAR
4National Series and the Indy Racing League; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Chicagoland Speedway is owned by International
6Speedway Corporation, a major promoter of motorsports
7activities and entertainment programming who owns 13 of the
8nation's major racing venues; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Since 2011, Chicagoland Speedway has hosted the
10first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which is
11akin to the playoffs in the world of motorsports; and
 
12    WHEREAS, On September 15-18, 2016, Chicagoland Speedway
13will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a special celebration
14and an extended four-day race weekend for this year's Chase for
15the NASCAR Sprint Cup; therefore, be it
 
16    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
17ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate September
1811-18, 2016 as "Chase Week" in the State of Illinois in
19recognition of Chicagoland Speedway's 15th season of racing;
20and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to Chicagoland Speedway and the International
3Speedway Corporation as a symbol of our esteem and respect and
4in recognition of their service to the community.