Travel Log: Chicago

It's the only NASCAR weekend of the year for Chicagoland Speedway and the greater Chicago area, but don't let that fool you.

Chicago is a primo destination on the Cup schedule considering all the tourist attractions the city offers. What better way to tour the city than to take some pointers from resident. Chicago presents a list of favorite places to eat, experience and relax to a must from President Barack Obama:
• Visit Chicago and discover why President Barack Obama calls the city home

• Get your tickets today

DID YOU KNOW
• Three U.S. Presidents were elected from Illinois: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Barack Obama. Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Ill., but was elected from the state of California.

• The Sears Tower in Chicago is the tallest building in North America and third tallest building in the world. It stands 1,450 feet tall, or 110 stories. Only the Petronas Towers (Malaysia) and Taipei 101 (Taiwan) are taller. Counting the antennas, the Sears Tower is 1,725 feet tall and ranks first on the list. The Sears Tower was completed May 3, 1973, and now holds restaurants, banking, conference halls and retail space.

• Metropolis is the official hometown of Superman, declared such by DC Comics on Jan. 21, 1972, and made official by the Illinois State Legislature on June 9, 1972. In addition to a Superman statue in the city, Metropolis hosts an annual Superman Celebration.

• Des Plaines is home to the first McDonald's restaurant. While it was actually the ninth store, it was the first store opened in 1955 under the management of Ray Kroc. Today, a replica of the store houses the McDonald's Museum.

• Chicago's nickname "Windy City" has a debatable origin with three common theories: the weather, a rivalry with Cincinnati and the 1893 World's Fair in which Chicago battled New York to host the 400th anniversary celebration of Christopher Columbus discovering America. The most common belief, however, is that "Windy City" has remained the nickname thanks in part to the political scene in Chicago.

IN THE KNOW ...
Best Burger: Rosebud Steakhouse
Best Pizza: Home Run Inn
Best Restaurant: Alinea

Admitted as a State: Dec. 3, 1818, as 21st state
Capital: Springfield
Nickname: Land of Lincoln
Population Rank: 5th
Largest City: Chicago

AT THE TRACK
Located on the southeastern outskirts of Chicago, in Joliet, Chicagoland Speedway still has that new feel to it. This is just the ninth Cup race the track has hosted. Still, its infancy on the schedule doesn't keep it from being a major player when it comes to focusing on the fans -- particularly with the track's Web site. Photos, videos, track info and tips for the area all pack the sight as usual. But fans are also encouraged to tell the staff what can improve or what they liked.
• Chicagoland Speedway

Weekend Schedules: Cup Series | Nationwide Series | Truck Series