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NASCAR: Schedule for sold out NASCAR Cup race at Gateway (2nd Update)

Posted by AR1 staff

It will be the first sellout and biggest crowd in the history of the track. The high demand for the Cup race will likely result in a further erosion of the IndyCar race’s attendance.

IndyCar is naive to think NASCAR isn’t it’s #1 enemy.  Wherever IndyCar has any success, be it on a TV network or at a venue, NASCAR moves in and eventually destroys it – Fontana, Michigan, Watkins Glen, Phoenix, Sonoma, we could go on and on.  

They are already muscling in on IndyCar’s success last year in Nashville, with their own races in Nashville.  The more tickets NASCAR can sell in a given market, the less IndyCar will sell.

The only exception has been the Brickyard where NASCAR has failed miserably vs. IndyCar.

This week’s sellout at the St. Louis area racetrack marks the fourth sellout of the Cup Series season, joining Daytona, Phoenix, and last week’s race at Charlotte.

June 1, 2022 

While the IndyCar attendance at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway) has been dropping steadily each year, the venue is totally sold out for Sunday’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race, including 57,000 grandstand seats, 1,200 campsites and a couple dozen suites.

June 1, 2022 

The Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series is this week. It will take place from June 3 through June 5 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Will ticket sales for this race lead to the demise of the IndyCar race at Gateway. History says the IndyCar race will cease to exist within 5 years at Gateway.  A market can only support so many race ticket sales.

2022 NASCAR WEEKEND FAN SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, June 1

  • 9 a.m. — Campgrounds open.

Thursday, June 2

  • 4-8 p.m. – WWTR NASCAR fan fest at Ballpark Village (Busch Stadium, downtown St. Louis).
  • 6 p.m. — NASCAR haulers depart WWTR staging lot.
  • 6:30 p.m. — NASCAR hauler parade passes Ballpark Village and Busch Stadium.
  • 7 p.m. — Haulers return to WWTR for parking in garage area.

Friday, June 3 — Richard Petty Day presented by Bommarito Automotive Group

  • 6:30 a.m. — Parking lots open.
  • 10 a.m. — Spectator gates, Infield Fan Experience and midway open.
  • Noon — Recommended arrival for best race day experience.
  • 1 p.m. — NASCAR Speediatrics.
  • 2:10 p.m. — Richard Petty Q&A on midway stage.
  • 3:30 p.m. – Ribbon-cutting ceremony on start-finish line.
  • 3:45 p.m. — Ceremonial first NASCAR Cup Series car laps by Richard Petty.
  • 4 p.m. – Inaugural NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 practice.
  • 5 p.m. — NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200 practice.
  • 5:30 p.m. — NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200 qualifying.
  • 6:30 p.m. – WWTR track dog Gateway Stanley’s Paw Party, doggie meet-up for campers.
  • 7 p.m. — NASCAR garages and Infield Fan Experience closed.
  • 7:30 p.m. — #CupTimeSTL Short Track Classic at Tri-City Speedway (5100 Nameoki Road, Granite City, IL) featuring World of Outlaws Late Models, MOWA Sprint Cars and NASCAR drivers in competition.

Saturday, June 4 — NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 3—qualifying, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200, music festival

  • 6:30 a.m. — Parking lots open.
  • 7 a.m. — Spectator gates, Infield Fan Experience and midway open.
  • 8 a.m. — Recommended arrival time for best race day experience.
  • 10 a.m. — NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 qualifying.
  • 12:30 p.m. — NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200 (160 laps, 200 miles).
  • 2-4 p.m. — No inbound traffic permitted during this period.
  • 2:30 p.m. — WWTR SpeedFreaks Live!
  • 3 p.m. — Thrills & Throttles (featuring St. Louis’ hottest 100 cars) pit road party.
  • 4-9 p.m. – Saturday Twi-Night Concerts (Turn 1 stage, free with truck race admission).

Sunday, June 5 – Inaugural NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter

  • 6:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.
  • 7 a.m. – Spectator gates, Infield Fan Experience, midway open.
  • 8:30 a.m. — Midway Music Stage opens.
  • 9:30 a.m. – Recommended arrival time for maximum race day experience.
  • 9:45 a.m. – WWTR Race Day Live! with Kenny Wallace (Midway Stage).
  • 10:30 a.m. – Fans’ track walk, concert stage access begins.
  • 11 a.m. – First music act (TBA).
  • 11:45 a.m. – Second music act (TBA).
  • 12:45 p.m. – Third music act (TBA).
  • 2 p.m. – NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 driver introductions.
  • 2:30 p.m. – Inaugural NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter (240 laps, 300 miles).