Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack is a one mile long clay oval motor racetrack on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, the state capital. It is frequently nicknamed The Springfield Mile. Constructed in the late 19th century and reconstructed in 1927, the track has hosted competitive auto racing since 1910, making it one of the oldest speedways in the United States. The original mile track utilized the current frontstretch and the other side was behind the current grandstands and the straightaways were connected by tight turns. It is the oldest track to continually host national championship dirt track racing, holding its first national championship race in 1934 under the American Automobile Association banner. It is the home of five world records for automobile racing, making it one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world. Since 1993, the venue is managed by Bob Sargent's Track Enterprises.
The first and only practice session was held on Sunday, August 20, at 10:00 AM CST, and would last for 30 minutes.[5]Brent Crews, driving for Venturini Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 33.513, and an average speed of 107.421 mph (172.877 km/h).[6]
Qualifying was held on Sunday, August 20, at 11:15 AM CST. The qualifying system used is a single-car, one-lap system with only one round. Whoever sets the fastest time in that round wins the pole.[5]Brent Crews, driving for Venturini Motorsports, would score the pole for the race, with a lap of 35.544, and an average speed of 101.283 mph (162.999 km/h).[7]
