Gateway Motorsports Park

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World Wide Technology Raceway
WWT Raceway
World Wide Technology Raceway logo.svg

Gateway Motorsports Park diagram.svg
Layout of the oval circuit
Location700 Raceway Blvd,
Madison, Illinois, 62060
Time zoneUTC−6 / −5 (DST)
Capacity78,000
OwnerCurtis Francois
Broke ground1967 (former dragstrip)
1985 (former road course)
1995–1996 (oval / dragstrip)
2013 (kartplex)
Opened1967 (1967)
Former namesSt. Louis International Raceway Park (1967–1994)
Gateway International Raceway (1995–2011)
Gateway Motorsports Park (2012–2018)
Major events
  • NASCAR Cup Series
    • TBA
  • IndyCar Series
  • NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
    • CarShield 200
  • NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
    • NHRA Midwest Nationals
Oval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.25 mi (2.012 km)
Turns4
BankingTurn 1 & 2: 11°
Turn 3 & 4: 9°
Race lap record23.7206 seconds, 189.709 mph (Will Power, Team Penske, 2017, IndyCar)
Infield Road Course
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.6 and 2.0 mi (2.574 km)
Turns8
Dragway
SurfaceAsphalt
Length0.25 mi (0.4 km)
Kartplex
SurfaceAsphalt
Length0.55 mi
Turns11
Websitewww.wwtraceway.com

World Wide Technology Raceway (formerly Gateway International Raceway and Gateway Motorsports Park) is a motorsport racing facility in Madison, Illinois, just east of St. Louis, Missouri, United States, close to the Gateway Arch. It features a 1.25-mile (2 kilometer) oval that hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and the NTT IndyCar Series, a 1.6-mile (2.6 km) infield road course used by the SCCA, Porsche Club of America, and various car clubs, and a quarter-mile drag strip that hosts the annual National Hot Rod Association Midwest Nationals event.

The first major event held at the facility was the CART series on Saturday May 24, 1997, the day before the Indy Racing League's Indianapolis 500. Rather than scheduling a race directly opposite the Indy 500 (as they had done in 1996 with the U.S. 500), CART scheduled Gateway the day before to serve as their Memorial Day weekend open-wheel alternative without direct conflict. For 2000, the race was moved to the fall. In 2001, it was dropped from the CART series schedule, and switched alliances to the Indy Racing League. After mediocre attendance, the event was dropped altogether after 2003. It was later re-added to the schedule for 2017.

The facilities were owned by Dover Motorsports, a group that also owned what is now Memphis International Raceway, along with Dover International Speedway, and the Nashville Superspeedway. After being shuttered on November 3, 2010, it was announced on September 8, 2011 that the facility would be re-opened by St. Louis real estate developer and former Indy Lights driver Curtis Francois and renamed Gateway Motorsports Park.

Track history[]

St. Louis International Raceway Park was built in 1967 as a drag racing facility by Wayne and Ruth Meinert.[1] In 1985, a road course was constructed featuring 2.2 miles (3.5 km) and 1.0 mi (1.6 km) configurations.[2] In 1994, , promoter of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, acquired the facility, demolishing the existing tracks over the course of 1995–1996 for the construction of a new oval speedway.[3]

Current Tracks[]

IndyCar 3-wide salute before the start of the 2021 Bommarito Automotive Group 500.
IndyCar 3-wide salute before the start of the 2021 Bommarito Automotive Group 500.

The 1.25-mile (2.01 km) oval is a favorite for many racers due to the unique shape and different degrees of banking in each corner. Turns 1 & 2 have similar characteristics to New Hampshire Motor Speedway while Turns 3 & 4 are similar to Phoenix International Raceway. The track's egg shape mimics the legendary Darlington Raceway and Twin Ring Motegi race tracks.

Funny Car pilots Matt Hagan and Ron Capps completing burnouts at the 2021 NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Funny Car pilots Matt Hagan and Ron Capps completing burnouts at the 2021 NHRA Midwest Nationals.

The 2.0-mile (3.2 km) infield road course is also used by sports car clubs and motorcycle organizations through the warmer months. This road course hosted a round of the AMA Superbike Championship in 1995. Canadian Miguel Duhamel won the superbike class in blistering hot conditions.

The oval track grandstands and tower in the background of the drag strip at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.
The oval track grandstands and tower in the background of the drag strip at WWT Raceway at Gateway.

In early-January 2008, it was announced that the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers would move their sponsorship from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race to the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, and was called the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250. At the 2008 event, Carl Edwards became the fourth driver to win two NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Gateway.

2008 marked a big year for the NHRA Midwest Nationals event at Gateway as legendary 16-time Funny Car Champion John Force secured his 1,000th competitive round win by defeating Ron Capps in the first round. Force accomplished the feat on his 59th birthday, making the milestone doubly special.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Gateway was sponsored by Camping World, becoming the Camping World 200. Coincidentally, the race was won by defending Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. driving the No. 33 Camping World-sponsored truck for Kevin Harvick Inc..

In 2010, Gateway received a second Nationwide Series race due to the closure of Memphis Motorsports Park. The date was the former late fall event at Memphis. This was the last NASCAR event held at Gateway until 2014, as Dover Motorsports announced it would not seek sanctioning for the three events held at the track in 2010.[3] The facility made no announcements concerning any of the other track's events.[4] The former Nashville Superspeedway got Gateway's place on the schedule in July, while the race date for October would still be vacant. The NHRA would not schedule any races at Gateway for its 2011 season.

On November 3, 2010, Dover Motorsports announced that Gateway was officially closing and ceasing all racing operations.[5] On September 8, 2011, it was officially announced that Gateway would re-open in 2012 and host the 15th AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals from September 28–30, under the leadership of Curtis Francois.[6] On December 6, 2012, USAC announced that the track would have a USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series date in 2013 on June 1.[7]

In February 2013, Francois announced the addition of Chris Blair as Executive Vice President and General Manager. Furthermore, plans were announced for the addition of a world class karting facility (which opened as the Gateway Kartplex in June 2014), an off-road venue (which opened in May 2015 with a TORC Series event) and a revitalization plan for the track's road course.

On May 1, 2013, Curtis Francois finalized the purchase of Gateway Motorsports Park, officially making the facility locally owned and operated.

On October 25, 2013, it was announced that the Camping World Truck Series would be returning to Gateway on June 14, 2014 for the first time since 2010.[8] Bubba Wallace would win the first NASCAR event under the track's new ownership.

In October 2016, it was announced that the Verizon IndyCar Series was returning to Gateway on August 26, 2017 for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500. After IndyCar Series teams experienced issues with the surface during a May 2, 2017 open test on the oval, track officials undertook a multimillion-dollar renovation of the racing surface. The repaving project began June 19 and was completed in late July 2017.[9]

On April 17, 2019, World Wide Technology announced it had acquired naming rights for the track, renaming it to World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.[10]

On August 21, 2021, due to the outstanding success of the event, it was announced before the green flag of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 that the NTT IndyCar Series would be returning to the track for another five year deal.[11] The 2021 edition also saw former F1 competitor Romain Grosjean make his first ever career oval track start. His debut attempt would result in a respectable 14th place finish.

On September 15, 2021, it was announced WWT Raceway at Gateway would be added to the NASCAR Cup Series schedule for the very first time for the 2022 season.[12] Five thousand ticket deposits were placed within the first 24 hours of the announcement.

Track length of paved oval[]

The track length is disputed by the major series that run at Gateway Motorsports Park. The NASCAR timing and scoring use a length of 1.25 miles (2.01 km).[13] This length was used by IRL in their races between 2001 and 2003, too.[14] The CART measured for the inaugural race in 1997 a length of 1.27 miles (2.04 km).[15] This length was also used in the following races between 1998 and 2000.[16]

Events[]

Current events[]

  • NASCAR Cup Series
    • TBA (2022)
  • NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
    • CarShield 200 (1998–2010, 2014–present)
  • IndyCar Series
  • NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
    • NHRA Midwest Nationals (1997–2010, 2012–present)
  • Indy Lights
  • Pro Mazda Championship
  • NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
  • NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series
  • National Hot Rod Diesel Association
  • Formula Drift (2018–present)

Previous events[]

Race history[]

NTT IndyCar Series results[]

Main article: Bommarito Automotive Group 500

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series results[]

Season Top Fuel Funny Car Pro Stock Pro Stock Motorcycle Pro Stock Truck
1997 Joe Amato Ron Capps Warren Johnson Jon Smith
1998 Gary Scelzi Frank Pedregon Kurt Johnson Matt Hines Tim Freeman
1999 Gary Scelzi John Force Jim Yates Angelle Sampey Bob Panella
2000 Gary Scelzi Jerry Toliver Ron Krisher Matt Hines John Coughlin
2001 Doug Kalitta Tony Pedregon Warren Johnson GT Tonglet Taylor Lastor
2002 Kenny Bernstein John Force Jeg Coughlin Jr. Angelle Sampey
2003 Doug Kalitta Del Worsham Ron Krisher Geno Scali
2004 Doug Kalitta Gary Scelzi Greg Anderson Steve Johnson
2005 Brandon Bernstein Ron Capps Kurt Johnson Angelle Sampey
2006 Tony Schumacher Tony Pedregon Mike Edwards Chip Ellis
2007 Melanie Troxel Ron Capps Dave Connolly Matt Smith
2008 Rod Fuller Tim Wilkerson Kurt Johnson Andrew Hines
2009 Antron Brown Del Worsham Jeg Coughlin Jr. Eddie Krawiec
2010 Tony Schumacher Robert Hight Warren Johnson Michael Phillips
2011 Event not held.
2012 Antron Brown Jack Beckman Erica Enders Eddie Krawiec
2013 Antron Brown John Force Erica Enders Matt Smith
2014 Antron Brown Courtney Force Dave Connolly Jerry Savoie
2015 Antron Brown Del Worsham Drew Skillman Hector Arana Jr.
2016 Shawn Langdon Jack Backman Alex Laughlin Jerry Savoie
2017 Steve Torrence Ron Capps Greg Anderson LE Tonglet
2018 Steve Torrence Robert Hight Tanner Gray Matt Smith
2019 Billy Torrence Shawn Langdon Erica Enders Karen Stoffer
2020 Doug Kalitta Tommy Johnson Jr Erica Enders Matt Smith
2021 Steve Torrence Matt Hagan Erica Enders

The 2004 event was marked by tragedy as Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell was killed in a second round crash. Russell had qualified at the No. 1 position for the second time in his career just the day before. One of the drag strip grandstands is named "The Darrell Russell Stand" in his memory.

NASCAR Xfinity Series results[]

Main article: 5-Hour Energy 250
Season Winning Driver Manufacturer
1997 Elliott Sadler Chevrolet
1998 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet
1999 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet
2000 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet
2001 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet
2002 Greg Biffle Ford
2003 Scott Riggs Ford
2004 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet
2005 Reed Sorenson Dodge
2006 Carl Edwards Ford
2007 Reed Sorenson Dodge
2008 Carl Edwards Ford
2009 Kyle Busch Toyota
July 2010 Carl Edwards Ford
October 2010 Brad Keselowski Dodge

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results[]

Main article: CarShield 200
Season Winning Driver Manufacturer
1998 Rick Carelli Chevrolet
1999 Greg Biffle Ford
2000 Jack Sprague Chevrolet
2001 Ted Musgrave Dodge
2002 Terry Cook Ford
2003 Brendan Gaughan Dodge
2004 David Starr Chevrolet
2005 Ted Musgrave Dodge
2006 Todd Bodine Toyota
2007 Johnny Benson Toyota
2008 Ron Hornaday Chevrolet
2009 Mike Skinner Toyota
2010 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet
2011-2013 Event not held.
2014 Darrell Wallace Jr. Toyota
2015 Cole Custer Chevrolet
2016 Christopher Bell Toyota
2017 John Hunter Nemechek Chevrolet
2018 Justin Haley Chevrolet
2019 Ross Chastain Chevrolet
2020 Sheldon Creed Chevrolet
2021 Sheldon Creed Chevrolet

Records[]

  • NASCAR Nationwide Series Qualifying: Brad Keselowski and Reed Sorenson*, 33.158 s (135.714 mph), July 18, 2009
  • NASCAR Nationwide Series Race: Carl Edwards, 2 h 5 min 54 s (119.142 mph), July 29, 2006
  • NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifying: Chase Briscoe, 32.888 s (136.828 mph), 2017
  • NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race: Jack Sprague, 1 h 45 min 31 s
  • NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Fastest Speed: Brittany Force (Top Fuel, 337.66 mph) September 26, 2021
  • SCCA Formula Atlantic Overall: Hans Peter, 53.635, March 29, 2008 [17]
  • CART Championship Auto Racing Teams Race: Juan Pablo Montoya, 1 h 55 min 38 s (155.519 mph), September 17, 2000
  • IndyCar Single-Lap Record: Will Power (189.709 mph) August 25, 2017
  • IndyCar Two-lap Qualifying Average: Will Power (189.642 mph) August 25, 2017

(*) Keselowski and Sorenson tied for the fastest lap time in qualifying, both setting a new identical track record. By virtue of being higher in owner's points, Keselowski was given the tiebreaker and credited with the pole.

Other events[]

Metallica's Summer Sanitarium Tour made a stop at Gateway on July 3, 2000. Other artists featured at the concert were Korn, Kid Rock, Powerman 5000 & System of a Down.

The Illinois State Police uses Gateway to train new Troopers in high speed vehicle operations (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course).

See also[]

  • List of NASCAR race tracks

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ "Track history (Gateway International Raceway)". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, MO. May 17, 1997. Archived from the original on December 26, 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-25.
  2. ^ Mayes, Warren (May 2, 1985). "Auto racing 'not a game; it's a business'". UPI. Archived from the original on 2016-12-25. Retrieved 2016-12-25.
  3. ^ a b Gauen, Pat (August 5, 2010). "Gateway track may trade white flag for white flag". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, MO. Archived from the original on 2016-12-25. Retrieved 2016-12-25.
  4. ^ "Gateway didn't host races during 2011 season | NASCAR Nationwide Series". Archived from the original on 2010-11-25. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
  5. ^ "Dover Motorsports officially shuts down Gateway | NASCAR Nationwide Series". Archived from the original on 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
  6. ^ "Group aims to revive Gateway race track in Madison".
  7. ^ 2013 USAC Traxxas Silver Crown schedule
  8. ^ Gluck, Jeff (October 25, 2013). "Trucks will return to Eldora, skip Rockingham in 2014". USA Today. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  9. ^ "Gateway's smooth new surface has drivers itching to race".
  10. ^ "Gateway announces venue naming rights agreement". Racer. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "https://twitter.com/bommarito500/status/1430968322133315596". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-09-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  12. ^ "Cup Series is St. Louis-bound with Gateway's debut in 2022 | NASCAR". Official Site Of NASCAR. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  13. ^ Gateway Motorsports Park at NASCAR.com
  14. ^ 2001 race result on champcarstats.com
  15. ^ 1997 race result on champcarstats.com
  16. ^ 2000 race result on champcarstats.com
  17. ^ http://www.midiv.org/PDF/Track_Records/gir.pdf

References[]

External links[]

Coordinates: 38°39′03″N 90°08′07″W / 38.65080°N 90.13537°W / 38.65080; -90.13537

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