CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: Nascar's top 12 drivers L-R Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski,Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon pose with the Sprint Cup trophy in front of Buckingham Fountain during Nascar Chase for the Sprint Cup Media Day on September 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images for Nascar) | Getty Images

BACK TO GALLERIES

NASCAR’s Chicago connections

By Zack Albert | Published: 19 Jul, 2022 24

David Banks | Getty Images for NASCAR

BACK TO GALLERIES

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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: Nascar's top 12 drivers L-R Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski,Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon pose with the Sprint Cup trophy in front of Buckingham Fountain during Nascar Chase for the Sprint Cup Media Day on September 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images for Nascar) | Getty Images

David Banks | Getty Images for NASCAR

NASCAR has shared a long-running connection with Chicago, one that will be rekindled with a street-circuit race for the Cup Series next season. With a Windy City return due up in 2023, let's explore stock-car racing's ties -- such as the 2011 playoff field's appearance at Buckingham Fountain -- to the Chicago area.

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UNKNOWN — 1960s: Fred Lorenzen of Elmhurst, IL, ran in 158 NASCAR Cup races between 1956 and 1972, scoring 26 wins, 75 top five finishes and 84 top tens. Known as a very good qualifier, Lorenzen started from the pole in 32 events. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Images & Archives | Getty Images

Start first with drivers, and there's little better place to start than Fred Lorenzen. Known as the Elmhurst Express for his Illinois hometown in the Chicago suburbs, Lorenzen scored 26 victories in what's now known as the NASCAR Cup Series, and cut his teeth at the now-defunct O'Hare Stadium quarter-mile nearby. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015.

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UNKNOWN — 1959: Despite running only half the races of the NASCAR Cup circuit (22 of 44) during the year, Tom Pistone of Chicago, IL, finished sixth in Cup points on the strength of 18 top 10 finishes that included wins at the Trenton (NJ) Speedway in May and Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds in Richmond, VA, in June. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Images & Archives | Getty Images

Chicago native "Tiger" Tom Pistone was a two-time Cup Series winner, netting both his victories in the 1959 season. He made 130 starts in NASCAR's top division and was a champion driver at Soldier Field, now home to the Chicago Bears.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL — February 1984: Driving a Pontiac, Bill Venturini of Chicago, IL, finished 20th in the ARCA 200 race at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Images & Archives | Getty Images

Bill Venturini and his racing family have long called Chicago home. Venturini made occasional NASCAR national-series starts, but was a more regular competitor in the ARCA Menards Series, where he won 12 times.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL — February 1984: Bob Dotter of Chicago, IL, drove this Pontiac to a ninth place finish in the ARCA 200 race at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Images & Archives | Getty Images

Bob Dotter hailed from Chicago and enjoyed a long career in ARCA Menards Series competition. He was a five-time ARCA winner and also dabbled in what is now the NASCAR Xfinity Series. His son, Bobby, continues the family tradition as a current-day team owner in the Xfinity ranks.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL — February 1977: Bobby Wawak of Villa Park, IL, ran this Chevrolet for car owner John Gwinn with Encyclopedia Brittanica sponsorship in the Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Images & Archives | Getty Images

Bobby Wawak, seen here in 1977, made 141 starts in NASCAR's premier series -- most of those in cars he owned. He called the Chicago suburb of Villa Park, Illinois, his home. It's worth noting his sponsorship from Encyclopedia Brittanica on his No. 36 car for that year's Daytona 500.

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Sal Tovella poses with one of the cars he drove on the USAC Stock Car circuit. Tovella began his racing career in the early 1950s at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, where he became the Late Model stock car champion in 1963. That same year, Tovella won the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year title. Tovella would go on to win six USAC Stock Car races during his career. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Images & Archives | Getty Images

Chicago native Sal Tovella made just 14 Cup Series starts, but was a standout in USAC Stock Car competition. Tovella won six times in that division, and he was also a track champion at Chicago's Soldier Field in 1963.

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CONCORD, NC - MAY 22: Former NBA Chicago Bulls gaurd Michael Jordon high-fives the crowd during pre-race ceremonies prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 22, 2010 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

John Harrelson | Getty Images

In discussing Chicago connections, NBA legend Michael Jordan merits inclusion as a six-time champion with the hometown Bulls. The North Carolina native, seen here as a dignitary at the 2010 All-Star Race, has since joined NASCAR's team owner ranks with 23XI Racing.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - DECEMBER 13: Television personality Mike Joy speaks on stage during the NASCAR Night Of Champions Touring Awards at Charlotte Convention Center, December 13, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rainier Ehrhardt/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Rainier Ehrhardt | Getty Images)

Veteran FOX Sports broadcaster Mike Joy is known for his roots in Connecticut, where he was raised and served four terms on the town council in Windsor, Connecticut. Joy's birthplace, though, is Chicago.

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CHICAGO, IL - 1952: Early stock car racing action at Soldier Field. The track hosted just one NASCAR Cup race in 1956 that was won by Fireball Roberts. Three NASCAR Convertible Series events were held from 1956 through 1957 as well, with Chicago native Tom Pistone winning the first of those. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

The Chicago area has also been home to many racing venues, including the flat oval layout at Soldier Field. The stadium held many racing events, but just one for the NASCAR Cup Series. That 100-mile, 200-lap affair was won by Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts in 1956.

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CHICAGO, IL — 1947: Track crewmembers work to untangle a pair of Midget racecars following this multi-car crash at Soldier Field while the huge crowd looks on. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Midget cars were a popular attraction at Soldier Field, and the action sometimes got hairy. "Every night, there was excitement," Tom Pistone told NASCAR.com in 2012.

Other notable Chicago-area tracks that hosted motorsports events included O'Hare Stadium in Schiller Park, near where the international airport is today, and Sante Fe Speedway in Willow Springs. The latter track lasted until 1995 and hosted one Cup Series race -- a 1954 event won by Dick Rathman.

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CHICAGO, IL: Cars prepare for racing action at Soldier Field. First opened in 1924, in its earlier configuration the facility could hold up to 74,000 fans for various events. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Another view of Soldier Field and the makeshift garage area. In addition to the one Cup Series race, three events for the former NASCAR Convertible Edition were held there -- with Curtis Turner, Glen Wood and Tom Pistone the winners.

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28 Jul 2000: A view of the cars as they round the corner at the start of the Target Grand Prix of Chicago, Presented by Energizer, part of the 2000 CART FedEx Championship Series at the Chicago Motor Speedway in Cicero, Illinois.Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport

Robert Laberge | Allsport | Getty Images

Chicago Motor Speedway at Sportsman's Park started as a prime horse racing venue, but a group that included team owner Chip Ganassi brought auto racing to the site. The 1.029-mile oval in Cicero, Illinois, hosted four CART champ car races in its brief lifetime, but also held two events in the Camping World Truck Series. Joe Ruttmann (2000) and Scott Riggs (2001) were the winners.

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BOSTON, MA - JULY 1: NASCAR driver Kurt Busch leads the crowd in the singing of Take Me Out To The Ballgame during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs on July 1, 2022 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

NASCAR also was a frequent visitor to Chicagoland Speedway, south of town in Joliet, Illinois. The 1.5-mile track opened in 2001 and played host to all three NASCAR national series and ARCA.

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CHICAGO, IL- SEPTEMBER 12: (L - R) Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Martin Truex Jr, Brad Keselowski, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Clint Boyer, Denny Hamlin, Kaey Kahne and Tony Stewart pose in front of

David Banks | Getty Images for NASCAR

The Chicagoland track hosted the opening event in the 10-race playoffs from 2011 to 2017, and the NASCAR industry annually took to the town for postseason kickoffs. Chicago's Cloud Gate serves as the backdrop for the 2012 playoff field.

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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 12: Dale Earnhardt Jr. performs a burnout in the Sprint Cup Series car in front of the iconic Chicago Theater on State Street on August 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. NASCAR returns to Chicago September 13-15, 2013 at Chicagoland Speedway. (Photo by David Banks/NASCAR via Getty Images)

David Banks | Getty Images for NASCAR

Dale Earnhardt Jr. smokes up State Street with a burnout in front of the iconic Chicago Theater ahead of the 2012 playoffs.

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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 11: NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth poses at the Willis Tower Sky Deck on September 11, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/NASCAR via Getty Images)

David Banks | Getty Images for NASCAR

Matt Kenseth soaks in the view from the Willis Tower's Sky Deck in Chicago ahead of the 2013 playoffs.

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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 11: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, participates in NASCAR Chase Media Day, September 11, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Jeff Zelevansky | Getty Images

Denny Hamlin takes part in the postseason media day at The Murphy in downtown Chicago in 2014.

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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 11: Jeff Gordan, driver of the #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, looks on during Chase Media Day on September 11, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sarah Glenn/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Sarah Glenn | Getty Images

Jeff Gordon has a Chicago skyline backdrop during ceremonies ahead of the 2014 Cup Series Playoffs.

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JOLIET, IL - JULY 10: Ryne Sandberg, former Chicago Cubs player, with Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Dupont Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series USG Sheetrock 400 on July 10, 2005 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Gavin Lawrence/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Gavin Lawrence | Getty Images

NASCAR's involvement with the Chicago area has meant crossovers with the city's other sports. Here, Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg greets Jeff Gordon before the Cup Series drivers' meeting at Chicagoland in 2005.

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CHICAGO - JULY 16: The Juan Pablo Montoya's #42 Wrigley's Big Red Dodge, is driven onto the fieldduring warm-ups prior to the MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 16, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jamie Squire | Getty Images

The No. 42 of Juan Pablo Montoya hits Wrigley Field during warm-ups for a Chicago Cubs game in 2007.

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BOSTON, MA - JULY 1: NASCAR driver Kurt Busch leads the crowd in the singing of Take Me Out To The Ballgame during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs on July 1, 2022 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Billie Weiss | Getty Images

Kurt Busch has a long-lasting loyalty to the Chicago Cubs. On July 1 of this year, Busch threw out the first pitch for an interleague matchup at Wrigley Field with the Boston Red Sox and led the crowd in a rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. takes batting practice with members of the Chicago White Sox during a spring training workout on February 26, 2011 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Ron Vesely | MLB Photos | Getty Images)

Not to forget the South Siders, Martin Truex Jr. got in some cuts with the Chicago White Sox during batting practice for a spring-training game in Arizona in 2011.

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James Davison, driver of the #15 Chevrolet races during the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Chicago Street Course on June 02, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

The NASCAR world received a sneak preview of coming attractions with the unveiling of the Chicago Street Circuit for the iRacing platform. Cup Series drivers gave the 2.2-mile layout a simulation shakedown last year in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series.