The first automobile race in Chicago occurred shortly after Thanksgiving in 1895, when eight racers, seeking a $2,000 prize offered by the Chicago Times-Herald, raced on a 52.4-mile course that began just south of what is today’s Loop to Evanston.
Road racing continued between 1910 and 1915 (and again in 1919, 1920 and 1933), when the Elgin Watch Company sponsored a road-racing series through its hometown, Elgin, Ill., west of Chicago.
Oval racing came to Chicago when Illinois lumber baron Edward Hines built Chicago Speedway, a 2-mile, high-banked board track. The speedway held its first race on June 26, 1915, with future Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Resta claiming the victory.
Oval racing remained popular in Chicago as board tracks, and later dirt and paved ovals were built around the area for midget, sprint and champ car racing.
In 1999, Chip Ganassi headed a group of private investors who renovated Sportsman’s Park and ran three Champ Car World Series events at the track before closing it in 2002.
The IndyCar Series made its debut at Chicagoland Speedway in 2001 with Jaques Lazier winning the first race.
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