MADISON, Ill. (NEXSTAR) - Start your engines! NASCAR meets the Metro East once again as Enjoy Illinois 300 returns this weekend for the third consecutive year.
Tens of thousands of NASCAR fans are expected to gather at the World Wide Technology Raceway this weekend, not only for the big race, but also for several days worth of NASCAR-themed events.
The raceway packed a sold-out crowd of more than 57,000 fans for the main event in each of the last two years, setting the bar high for this weekend.
To get ready for the next chapter of raceway royalty in the St. Louis region, here's a closer look at what to expect ahead of the Enjoy Illinois 300 festivities.
When is the main race? How can I watch?
The NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 race is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, June 2.
If you’re unable to attend the race on a ticket, FS1 will carry the TV broadcast. Fans can also tune in via radio on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Fans planning to watch the race should expect for it to take at least three hours.
Are tickets still available?
Event organizers have listed tickets to Sunday's main race directly through St. Louis-based ticket service MetroTix. There are also listings for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on Saturday and a two-day weekend package for Saturday's truck series and Sunday's main race.
CLICK HERE to check out listings through MetroTix. As of Wednesday, the cheapest tickets, before fees, start at around $67 for the ultimate race, $57 for the truck series, and $124 for both events.
Organizers say that ticketholders for the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 will have access to the Confluence Music Festival, which consists of several concerts planned around the main race this weekend.
Some tickets for the race and other festivities are also on sale through third-party platforms like Ticketsmaster.com, SeatGeek, and StubHub.
Raceway history and track
World Wide Technology Raceway opened as a road course in 1985 and has adapted to host NASCAR-sponsored events since 1997. Throughout the years, it’s been the site of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the IndyCar Series and other sanctioned racing tournaments. Enjoy Illinois 300 is considered the only NASCAR Cup Series the site has hosted over several decades.
Similar to the last two years, drivers will take on the 1.25-mile, oval-shaped track of World Wide Technology Raceway. The first and second turns on the track are a bit tighter than the third and fourth turns of each track due to different degrees of banking. Drivers will make 240 laps around the track and drive 300 miles unless overtime is needed.
Joey Logano won the 2022 inaugural race in overtime fashion. He finished with a total race time of three hours, seven minutes, and 34 seconds and took a lead over Kyle Busch on the final lap to secure victory.
Busch answered that close defeat with another victory in overtime fashion last year with a total race time of three hours, 28 minutes, and 16 seconds.
Top talents set to race
Joey Logano and Kyle Busch, the first two winners of the race, are scheduled to race once again.
Former NASCAR Cup Series champions Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Martin Truex Jr. are also among the big names expected to compete. Bubba Wallace, who became the second Black driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series in 2021, is also planning to compete.
Thirty-six drivers are currently set to race. Among them, 14 drivers are using Chevrolet-manufactured cars, 14 are using Ford-manufactured cars, and eight are using Toyota-manufactured cars. For the complete list of drivers, click here.
According to Covers.com, Draft Kings (+500) and Bet MGM (+550) give Hamlin the best odds of winning the race, while Caesars Sportsbook (+550) gives Larson the best odds to win. Busch and Logano are within or near the Top 10 in odds for all three sportsbooks.
Many events planned around the race
Some celebrations around Enjoy Illinois 300 begin as soon as Thursday. Most events are at or around the raceway grounds, but there are some in other areas of St. Louis and the Metro East. Several events, aside from Saturday's truck race and Sunday's main race, are free to the public. Here's a brief breakdown....
THURSDAY
The JJK 5K Run & Walk, in honor of homegrown Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee, will run from 6-8 p.m. at the raceway. There will also be a few charity events at the raceway.
FRIDAY
Fans can attend a NASCAR Fanfest event at Ballpark Village from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A few NASCAR drivers are scheduled to appear. There will also be games, giveaways, show cars and music. Around 11:30 a.m., a hauler parade is expected to pass through Ballpark Village.
Parking lots for the raceway will open around 12:30 p.m. A fan track walk is planned from 2-3 p.m. People can visit the spectator gates as early as 1:30 p.m.
At 5 p.m., a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice is scheduled. There will be a qualifying round that follows at 5:30 p.m.
A campground concert is also planned from 9-11 p.m.
SATURDAY
Parking lots for the raceway will open around 6 a.m. People can visit the spectator gates as early as 7 a.m. Various music performances will begin at 7 a.m. as part of the Confluence Musical Festival.
At 8 a.m., a NASCAR Cup Series practice is scheduled. There will be a qualifying round that follows at 9:15 a.m.
At 9:30 a.m., there is a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN truck series autograph session under the Gateway Garage Experience.
At noon, there will be formal introductions for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN truck series. The competition will begin shortly after the introductions.
Following the race, there will be WWT Raceway Pit Stop Party with car shows and more activities around 2:30 p.m.
There are also three concerts scheduled through the Confluence Musical Festival in the evening:
- Ludacris at 5:30 p.m.
- Tim Duggar & Friends at 6:30 p.m.
- Campground Concert from 8-10 p.m.
SUNDAY
Parking lots for the raceway will open around 6 a.m. People can visit the spectator gates as early as 7 a.m.
Fan Zone activities will begin at 7:30 a.m. A church service is scheduled for 8 a.m. St. Louis native and retired NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace is expected to make a live appearance at 9:30 a.m.
There will be three concerts scheduled through the Confluence Musical Festival prior to the main race:
- Adam Wainwright at 10:30 a.m.
- Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson & Cowboy Tom from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- T-Pain from noon to 1 p.m.
Pre-race festivities will begin at 1:30 p.m. Driver introductions will begin at 1:55 p.m. The NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 will begin at 2:30 p.m.
After the race and raceway celebrations, there will be two concerts scheduled through the Confluence Musical Festival in the evening:
- Brittney Spencer (5 minutes after the race ends)
- Riley Green (30 minutes after the race ends)
For more details on the events, including times, locations, and which events will require a ticket for admission, CLICK HERE.