Gateway International Raceway
Encyclopedia
Gateway Motorsports Park is a race track in Madison, Illinois
, USA, just east of St. Louis, Missouri
. After being shuttered by former owner Dover Motorsports Inc., on Nov. 3, 2010, it was announced Sept. 8, 2011, that the facility would re-open and host an NHRA Full Throttle Series event Oct. 5-7, 2012. St. Louis real estate developer and former professional racer (INDYCAR Indy Lights) Curtis Francois has signed a one-year lease to run the track. It hosted a NASCAR
Nationwide Series event and a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on a 1.25-mile (2 kilometer) oval, a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) infield Road Course used by SCCA and various car clubs, and also has a quarter-mile drag strip that hosts an annual National Hot Rod Association
event. 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
.
The first major event held at the facility was a CART
series held 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. After a couple years, track management grew increasingly dissatisfied with its apparent use, as seen by some, as a political pawn
or statement
by CART. This event had poor attendance as fans generally chose to travel to the Indy 500 for the weekend instead. For 2000, the race was moved to the fall. In 2001, its 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.
The 1.25 miles (2 km) oval is a favorite of many of the drivers who race there due to the unique shape and different degrees of banking in each corner. Turns 1 & 2 have characteristics similar to New Hampshire Motor Speedway while Turns 3 & 4 are similar to Phoenix International Raceway
and the track's egg shape mimics the legendary Darlington Raceway
. Several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams test at GIR in preparation for these events.
There is also a 1.6 miles (2.6 km) infield road course 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.
In late 2006, Lenny Batycki took over as the vice president and general manager of the track. Unlike most of his predecessors, Batycki brought with him extensive marketing and PR knowledge of motorsports, having been a vice president at the North Carolina Speedway
in Rockingham, NC and a vice president at Richard Childress Racing
for a number of years, working with the late Dale Earnhardt
for the last years of the seven-time champion's career.
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. The July 19 Nationwide Series will now be 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 GIR.
It was a big year in 2008 for the NHRA at GIR as legendary 14-time Funny Car champion John Force
earned his 1,000th career round win against Ron Capps. Making the event doubly special was the fact it happened on his 59th birthday one week after he lost to his daughter, Ashley Force
, in the finals at Atlanta for her first career Funny Car win. Another storyline in the day's event was Rod Fuller beating his arch rival Tony Schumacher in the finals. It would be a big win for Fuller as it represented one of the very few times Schumacher would be beat in an historic season for The Sarge, who won 15 races, with seven of them consecutively with 31 round wins in a row, en route to his fifth consecutive Top Fuel title and his sixth overall.
The NASCAR Craftsman 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
, whose #33 Truck fielded by Kevin Harvick Inc. is sponsored by Camping World.
Also at the 2008 Camping World 200, GIR introduced its brand-new victory lane, a throwback to the one used at Rockingham. The project, spearheaded by Batycki, was an immediate hit as Hornaday and the rest of the Truck Series competitors were very complimentary of the new addition.
In 2009, two new events were added to the season schedule: The American Drag Racing League, a sanctioning body headquartered in nearby O'Fallon
, Missouri
, and the USAC .25 Midget Series, the racing league's new quartermidget tour. The USAC event is in conjunction with the Gold Crown Nationals, a midget race co-sanctioned by USAC and POWRi scheduled to run at Tri-City Speedway
in Pontoon Beach, Illinois
.
In 2010 Gateway received a second NASCAR 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 for the foreseeable future, as Dover Motorsports announced it will not seek sanctioning for the three events held at the track in 2010. The track did not make an announcement concerning any of the other events the track holds. Nashville Superspeedway
will get Gateway's place on the schedule in July, while the October race date will remain vacant. The NHRA did not schedule an event for 2011 at Gateway either.
On November 3, 2010, Dover Motorsports announced that Gateway was officially closing and ceasing all racing operations at the track. On Sept. 8, 2011, the official announcement was made that Gateway would re-open in 2012 and host the 15th Annual NHRA Midwest Nationals Oct. 5-7, 2012, under the leadership of Curtis Francois.
St. Louis Raceway Park was an 1/8 mile drag strip built in 1967 by Wayne Meinert. In 1971 Meinert acquired more land, extended the strip to a quarter mile, and renamed it St. Louis International Speedway.
A 2.6-mile road course was constructed in 1985. The circuit was largely flat, with only a few small elevation changes, but the layout was unique; parts of the drag strip served as straights in two separate sections of the road course. The road course also crossed the drag strip deceleration zone at two points. The new circuit hosted a Trans Am Series race in 1985, Can-Am races in 1985 and 1986, and assorted SCCA regional and national events.
A 1/20 mile dirt oval also began operation in 1985. The name was changed to Gateway International Raceway in 1988.
In 1995 Chris Pook, promoter of the Formula 1 and CART races at Long Beach, with financial support from the state of Illinois, purchased the facility, demolished the old tracks, and began construction of the new oval, a new infield road course, and a new drag strip. The owner of Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis said it would cease all operations at the track on November 3, 2010.
Dover Motorsports Inc. said on their website that the track could no longer be operated with "an acceptable return."
The company previously announced that it would not seek to run any NASCAR Series events at the facility in 2011. The track ran its final NASCAR Nationwide Series event on Oct. 23, 2010.
The announcement was made Sept. 8, 2011, that the track would re-open in 2012, hosting an NHRA Full Throttle Series event under the leadership of St. Louis businessman and former professional racecar driver Curtis Francois.
See also the track history page at the official site, Closed Tracks at Midwest Motorsports Museum and track maps of the old and new facilities at North American Motorsports.
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
* Keselowski and Sorenson tied for the fastest laptime 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.
'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
.
Madison, Illinois
Madison is a city in Madison County and partially in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,545 at the 2000 census. It is home to Gateway International Raceway and the first Bulgarian Orthodox church in the United States.-Geography:...
, USA, just east of St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. After being shuttered by former owner Dover Motorsports Inc., on Nov. 3, 2010, it was announced Sept. 8, 2011, that the facility would re-open and host an NHRA Full Throttle Series event Oct. 5-7, 2012. St. Louis real estate developer and former professional racer (INDYCAR Indy Lights) Curtis Francois has signed a one-year lease to run the track. It hosted a NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Nationwide Series event and a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on a 1.25-mile (2 kilometer) oval, a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) infield Road Course used by SCCA and various car clubs, and also has a quarter-mile drag strip that hosts an annual National Hot Rod Association
National Hot Rod Association
The National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States and Canada...
event. The facilities were owned by Dover Motorsports, a group that also owned what is now Memphis International Raceway, along with Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
, and the Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee , United States, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. On August 2, 2011, it was announced that Nashville Superspeedway will not host any NASCAR events in 2012. It is a concrete oval track 1 1/3 miles in...
.
The first major event held at the facility was a CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
series held on Saturday May 24, 1997, the day before the Indy Racing League's Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
. Rather than scheduling a race directly opposite the Indy 500 (as they had done in 1996 with the U.S. 500
U.S. 500
The U.S. 500 was an automobile race sanctioned by CART on May 26, 1996 at the Michigan International Speedway as an alternative to the 1996 Indianapolis 500....
), CART scheduled Gateway the day before to serve as their Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend open-wheel alternative without direct conflict. After a couple years, track management grew increasingly dissatisfied with its apparent use, as seen by some, as a political pawn
Exploitation
This article discusses the term exploitation in the meaning of using something in an unjust or cruel manner.- As unjust benefit :In political economy, economics, and sociology, exploitation involves a persistent social relationship in which certain persons are being mistreated or unfairly used for...
or statement
Political statement
The term political statement is used to refer to any act or non-verbal form of communication that is intended to influence a decision to be made for or by a political party....
by CART. This event had poor attendance as fans generally chose to travel to the Indy 500 for the weekend instead. For 2000, the race was moved to the fall. In 2001, its 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.
The 1.25 miles (2 km) oval is a favorite of many of the drivers who race there due to the unique shape and different degrees of banking in each corner. Turns 1 & 2 have characteristics similar to New Hampshire Motor Speedway while Turns 3 & 4 are similar to Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
and the track's egg shape mimics the legendary Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
. Several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams test at GIR in preparation for these events.
There is also a 1.6 miles (2.6 km) infield road course 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.
In late 2006, Lenny Batycki took over as the vice president and general manager of the track. Unlike most of his predecessors, Batycki brought with him extensive marketing and PR knowledge of motorsports, having been a vice president at the North Carolina Speedway
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
in Rockingham, NC and a vice president at Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing
RCR Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team based in Welcome, North Carolina, and is owned and operated by former driver Richard Childress...
for a number of years, working with the late Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
for the last years of the seven-time champion's career.
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. The July 19 Nationwide Series will now be called the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250. At the 2008 event, Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards
Carl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
became the fourth driver to win two NASCAR Nationwide Series events at GIR.
It was a big year in 2008 for the NHRA at GIR as legendary 14-time Funny Car champion John Force
John Force
John Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
earned his 1,000th career round win against Ron Capps. Making the event doubly special was the fact it happened on his 59th birthday one week after he lost to his daughter, Ashley Force
Ashley Force
Ashley Force Hood is a funny car drag racer for John Force Racing. She is the daughter of 15-time NHRA Funny Car national champion John Force and Laurie Force...
, in the finals at Atlanta for her first career Funny Car win. Another storyline in the day's event was Rod Fuller beating his arch rival Tony Schumacher in the finals. It would be a big win for Fuller as it represented one of the very few times Schumacher would be beat in an historic season for The Sarge, who won 15 races, with seven of them consecutively with 31 round wins in a row, en route to his fifth consecutive Top Fuel title and his sixth overall.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Gateway was sponsored by Camping World
Camping World
Camping World is an American corporation specializing in selling parts and service for recreational vehicles and supplies for camping. The company is based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is privately held. Camping World has 70+ retail/service locations throughout the United States, and also sells...
, becoming the Camping World 200. Coincidentally, the race was won by defending Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday
Ron Hornaday
Ronald Hornaday, Jr. is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is the father of former NASCAR driver Ronnie Hornaday, and son of the late Ron Hornaday, Sr., a two-time Winston West Champion. Adding on to the family legacy, Ron is a four-time champion in the Truck Series, his most recent...
, whose #33 Truck fielded by Kevin Harvick Inc. is sponsored by Camping World.
Also at the 2008 Camping World 200, GIR introduced its brand-new victory lane, a throwback to the one used at Rockingham. The project, spearheaded by Batycki, was an immediate hit as Hornaday and the rest of the Truck Series competitors were very complimentary of the new addition.
In 2009, two new events were added to the season schedule: The American Drag Racing League, a sanctioning body headquartered in nearby O'Fallon
O'Fallon, Missouri
O'Fallon is a suburban city along Interstate 70 between Lake St. Louis and St. Peters in Saint Charles County, Missouri. It is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census population of 79,329, it is the seventh largest city in the state and the largest in St. Charles...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, and the USAC .25 Midget Series, the racing league's new quartermidget tour. The USAC event is in conjunction with the Gold Crown Nationals, a midget race co-sanctioned by USAC and POWRi scheduled to run at Tri-City Speedway
Tri-City Speedway
Tri-City Speedway is a 1/2-mile auto racing oval track located in Oakland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Franklin to the southwest. It lies even closer to the Borough of Sugarcreek, which lies in between. Also lying at about the same distance as Franklin is Oil City to the...
in Pontoon Beach, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
In 2010 Gateway received a second NASCAR Nationwide Series race due to the closure of Memphis Motorsports Park
Memphis Motorsports Park
Memphis International Raceway is an auto racing park located across the Loosahatchie River from Memphis, Tennessee, approximately ten miles south of Millington, Tennessee. The facility opened in 1987 with a drag strip and 1.8-mile road course...
. The date was the former late fall event at Memphis. This was the last NASCAR event held at Gateway for the foreseeable future, as Dover Motorsports announced it will not seek sanctioning for the three events held at the track in 2010. The track did not make an announcement concerning any of the other events the track holds. Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee , United States, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. On August 2, 2011, it was announced that Nashville Superspeedway will not host any NASCAR events in 2012. It is a concrete oval track 1 1/3 miles in...
will get Gateway's place on the schedule in July, while the October race date will remain vacant. The NHRA did not schedule an event for 2011 at Gateway either.
On November 3, 2010, Dover Motorsports announced that Gateway was officially closing and ceasing all racing operations at the track. On Sept. 8, 2011, the official announcement was made that Gateway would re-open in 2012 and host the 15th Annual NHRA Midwest Nationals Oct. 5-7, 2012, under the leadership of Curtis Francois.
Track history
The current oval and infield road course were built in 1996 on the site of a drag strip and road course facility which had been in operation for almost thirty years. The original tracks were built on swampland which emerged from Mississippi River bottom in the Great Earthquake of 1811.St. Louis Raceway Park was an 1/8 mile drag strip built in 1967 by Wayne Meinert. In 1971 Meinert acquired more land, extended the strip to a quarter mile, and renamed it St. Louis International Speedway.
A 2.6-mile road course was constructed in 1985. The circuit was largely flat, with only a few small elevation changes, but the layout was unique; parts of the drag strip served as straights in two separate sections of the road course. The road course also crossed the drag strip deceleration zone at two points. The new circuit hosted a Trans Am Series race in 1985, Can-Am races in 1985 and 1986, and assorted SCCA regional and national events.
A 1/20 mile dirt oval also began operation in 1985. The name was changed to Gateway International Raceway in 1988.
In 1995 Chris Pook, promoter of the Formula 1 and CART races at Long Beach, with financial support from the state of Illinois, purchased the facility, demolished the old tracks, and began construction of the new oval, a new infield road course, and a new drag strip. The owner of Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis said it would cease all operations at the track on November 3, 2010.
Dover Motorsports Inc. said on their website that the track could no longer be operated with "an acceptable return."
The company previously announced that it would not seek to run any NASCAR Series events at the facility in 2011. The track ran its final NASCAR Nationwide Series event on Oct. 23, 2010.
The announcement was made Sept. 8, 2011, that the track would re-open in 2012, hosting an NHRA Full Throttle Series event under the leadership of St. Louis businessman and former professional racecar driver Curtis Francois.
See also the track history page at the official site, Closed Tracks at Midwest Motorsports Museum and track maps of the old and new facilities at North American Motorsports.
NHRA Full Throttle Series history
1997- Joe Amato (TF)
- Ron Capps (FC)
- Warren JohnsonWarren JohnsonWarren Johnson is an NHRA drag racing driver. He is the driver with the most wins in pro stock with 97 career wins, earning himself the nickname The Professor of Pro Stock.-Career:...
(PS) - Jon SmithJon SmithJon Smith is a British writer of fiction, non-fiction, screenplays and musical theatre.-Biography:Jon Smith was brought up in Merseyside, where he remained until he was eighteen. He studied for a degree in American Studies at the University of Reading which included a semester at the University of...
(PSB)
1998
- Gary ScelziGary ScelziGary Scelzi, , is an American dragster racer and midget car owner who has won the NHRA Powerade Top Fuel championship on three occasions and the Funny Car title once...
(TF) - Frank Pedregon (FC)
- Kurt JohnsonKurt JohnsonKurt Johnson is a professional American drag racing driver. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. He competes in the NHRA’s POWERade Drag Racing series, driving a Chevrolet Cobalt in the Pro Stock category...
(PS) - Matt Hines (PSB)
- Tim FreemanTim FreemanTim J. Freeman is a small business owner and Republican politician from the U.S. state of Oregon. In 2008, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives representing District 2, which encompasses portions of Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties, including the cities of Canyonville,...
(PST)
1999
- Gary ScelziGary ScelziGary Scelzi, , is an American dragster racer and midget car owner who has won the NHRA Powerade Top Fuel championship on three occasions and the Funny Car title once...
(TF) - John ForceJohn ForceJohn Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
(FC) - Jim Yates (PS)
- Angelle SampeyAngelle SampeyAngelle Sampey, born Angelle Monique Sampey, August 7, 1970, New Orleans, Louisiana, was an American Pro Stock Motorcycle racer. She won the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship three times...
(PSB) - Bob Panella (PST)
2000
- Gary ScelziGary ScelziGary Scelzi, , is an American dragster racer and midget car owner who has won the NHRA Powerade Top Fuel championship on three occasions and the Funny Car title once...
(TF) - Jerry Toliver (FC)
- Ron Krisher (PS)
- Matt Hines (PSB)
- John Coughlin (PST)
2001
- Doug KalittaDoug KalittaDoug Kalitta is an American auto racing driver from Ypsilanti, Michigan.Kalitta formerly raced in USAC events. He was the 1991 USAC rookie of the year in the midget series, and won the 1994 championship in the sprint car category. Kalitta won 21 USAC events: 14 in midget races and 7 in sprint...
(TF) - Tony PedregonTony PedregonTony Pedregon is a 2-time NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car Champion from Torrance, California. He is also the youngest of the Pedregon brothers. His brother Cruz Pedregon is the 1992 NHRA Full Throttle Series Funny Car Champion.-Early Days:In 1993 Pedregon qualified for his first...
(FC) - Warren JohnsonWarren JohnsonWarren Johnson is an NHRA drag racing driver. He is the driver with the most wins in pro stock with 97 career wins, earning himself the nickname The Professor of Pro Stock.-Career:...
(PS) - GT Tonglet (PSB)
- Taylor Lastor (PST)
2002
- Kenny BernsteinKenny BernsteinKenny Bernstein is an American drag racer and former NASCAR and IndyCar team owner. He is nicknamed the "Bud King" for his success in the Budweiser King dragster, he has also been nicknamed "The King of Speed," because he was the first driver to break 300 miles per hour in the standing-start...
(TF) - John ForceJohn ForceJohn Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
(FC) - Jeg Coughlin (PS)
- Angelle SampeyAngelle SampeyAngelle Sampey, born Angelle Monique Sampey, August 7, 1970, New Orleans, Louisiana, was an American Pro Stock Motorcycle racer. She won the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship three times...
(PSB)
2003
- Doug KalittaDoug KalittaDoug Kalitta is an American auto racing driver from Ypsilanti, Michigan.Kalitta formerly raced in USAC events. He was the 1991 USAC rookie of the year in the midget series, and won the 1994 championship in the sprint car category. Kalitta won 21 USAC events: 14 in midget races and 7 in sprint...
(TF) - Del WorshamDel WorshamDel Worsham is an NHRA driver who began his professional career in Pomona, California, in 1990. Worsham drives for Al-Anabi Racing, whom he joined in 2009. Through the first five races of the 2011 season, he has amassed 28 career victories, three in the Top Fuel Series and 25 in the Funny Car...
(FC) - Ron Krisher (PS)
- Geno Scali (PSB)
2004
- Doug KalittaDoug KalittaDoug Kalitta is an American auto racing driver from Ypsilanti, Michigan.Kalitta formerly raced in USAC events. He was the 1991 USAC rookie of the year in the midget series, and won the 1994 championship in the sprint car category. Kalitta won 21 USAC events: 14 in midget races and 7 in sprint...
(TF) - Gary ScelziGary ScelziGary Scelzi, , is an American dragster racer and midget car owner who has won the NHRA Powerade Top Fuel championship on three occasions and the Funny Car title once...
(FC) - Greg AndersonGreg Anderson (driver)Greg Anderson is a current NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock driver for KB Racing, driving the Summit Racing car. He began his Pro Stock career in 1998. Greg previously served as Crew Chief for current pro stock driver Warren Johnson and tuned Warren to three pro stock championchips...
(PS) - Steve Johnson (PSB)
2005
- Brandon BernsteinBrandon BernsteinBrandon Bernstein is and American Drag Racer, and son of NHRA Legend Kenny Bernstein.-Early life:Bernstein was born in Dallas, Texas on August 2, 1972 the son of 6 time NHRA Champion Kenny Bernstein. He worked on his dad's team when he was a teenager...
(TF) - Ron Capps (FC)
- Kurt JohnsonKurt JohnsonKurt Johnson is a professional American drag racing driver. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. He competes in the NHRA’s POWERade Drag Racing series, driving a Chevrolet Cobalt in the Pro Stock category...
(PS) - Angelle SampeyAngelle SampeyAngelle Sampey, born Angelle Monique Sampey, August 7, 1970, New Orleans, Louisiana, was an American Pro Stock Motorcycle racer. She won the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship three times...
(PSB)
2006
- Tony Schumacher (TF)
- Tony PedregonTony PedregonTony Pedregon is a 2-time NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car Champion from Torrance, California. He is also the youngest of the Pedregon brothers. His brother Cruz Pedregon is the 1992 NHRA Full Throttle Series Funny Car Champion.-Early Days:In 1993 Pedregon qualified for his first...
(FC) - Mike Edwards (PS)
- Chip Ellis (PSB)
2007
- Melanie Troxel (TF)
- Ron Capps (FC)
- Dave Connolly (PS)
- Matt Smith (PSB)
2008
- Rod Fuller (TF)
- Tim Wilkerson (FC)
- Kurt JohnsonKurt JohnsonKurt Johnson is a professional American drag racing driver. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. He competes in the NHRA’s POWERade Drag Racing series, driving a Chevrolet Cobalt in the Pro Stock category...
(PS) - Andrew HinesAndrew HinesAndrew Hines is a three-time National Hot Rod Association Pro Stock Motorcycle champion. He rides the flagship Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-rod. Andrew follows in the footsteps of his brother and crew chief, Matt Hines...
(PSM)
2009
- Antron Brown (TF)
- Del WorshamDel WorshamDel Worsham is an NHRA driver who began his professional career in Pomona, California, in 1990. Worsham drives for Al-Anabi Racing, whom he joined in 2009. Through the first five races of the 2011 season, he has amassed 28 career victories, three in the Top Fuel Series and 25 in the Funny Car...
(FC) - Jeg Coughlin, Jr.Jeg Coughlin, Jr.Jeg Coughlin, Jr. is an American motorsports driver, competing in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Division. He announced at the 2006 U.S. Nationals that he would drive in three events towards the end of that season and would return to the Pro Stock ranks the following season as...
(PS) - Eddie Krawiec (PSM)
2010
- Tony Schumacher (TF)
- Robert Hight (FC)
- Warren Johnson (PS)
- Michael Phillips (PSM)
Nationwide Series race history
- 1997 – Elliott SadlerElliott SadlerElliott William Barnes Sadler is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Impala for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is one of only 23 drivers to have won in each of NASCAR's top three series...
- 1998 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 1999 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2000 – Kevin HarvickKevin HarvickKevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...
- 2001 – Kevin HarvickKevin HarvickKevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...
- 2002 – Greg BiffleGreg BiffleGregory Jack "Greg" Biffle is a NASCAR driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. After racing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the mid-90s, he was recommended to Jack Roush by former announcer Benny Parsons...
- 2003 – Scott RiggsScott RiggsRussell Scott Riggs is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #81 Dodge Charger for Whitney Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.-Early career:...
- 2004 – Martin Truex, Jr.
- 2005 – Reed SorensonReed SorensonBradley Reed Sorenson is an American NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #82 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge Charger in the Nationwide Series...
- 2006 – Carl EdwardsCarl EdwardsCarl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
- 2007 – Reed SorensonReed SorensonBradley Reed Sorenson is an American NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #82 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge Charger in the Nationwide Series...
- 2008 – Carl EdwardsCarl EdwardsCarl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
- 2009 – Kyle BuschKyle BuschKyle Thomas Busch, is an American NASCAR driver and team owner. He currently drives the No. 18 Mars/Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Sprint Cup Series, the No. 18 Z-Line Designs/NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs in the Nationwide Series, and the No...
- July 2010 – Carl EdwardsCarl EdwardsCarl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
- October 2010 – Brad KeselowskiBrad KeselowskiBradley Robert Keselowski is an American auto racing driver currently competing in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger in the Sprint Cup Series and the #22 Discount Tire Company/Ruby Tuesday Dodge Challenger in the Nationwide Series for Penske Racing...
Camping World Truck Series race history
- 1998 – Rick CarelliRick CarelliRick Carelli is an American race car driver from Arvada, Colorado. He was nicknamed the "High Plains Drifter". He won multiple times in the #6 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series truck.-Racing career:...
- 1999 – Greg BiffleGreg BiffleGregory Jack "Greg" Biffle is a NASCAR driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. After racing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the mid-90s, he was recommended to Jack Roush by former announcer Benny Parsons...
- 2000 – Jack SpragueJack SpragueJack Sprague is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is currently a free agent. Sprague has finished in the top-ten in the points standings almost every year he has raced in the trucks, and won three championships in 1997, 1999, and 2001 while driving for Hendrick Motorsports.-...
- 2001 – Ted MusgraveTed MusgraveTheodore Musgrave is an American race car driver.-Pre-NASCAR:Musgrave's father, Elmer, was a famous short-track racer in the Midwest who raced for over 25 years at Soldier Field, O'Hare, Waukegan, and Wilmot, Wisconsin before moving into asphalt late models in the American Speed Association and...
- 2002 – Terry CookTerry CookTerry Cook is an American former stock car driver. He is married to former Craftsman Truck pit reporter Amy East, and brother-in-law to driver Bobby East...
- 2003 – Brendan GaughanBrendan GaughanBrendan Gaughan is an American stock car driver. Gaughan is the grandson of Vegas gaming pioneer Jackie Gaughan and son of Michael Gaughan, a hotel and casino magnate. Gaughan currently drives the #62 South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota Tundra for Germain Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck...
- 2004 – David StarrDavid StarrDavid Starr is an American stock car driver. He currently drives the #95 WRL General Contractors/TWD Drywall/B&D Electrical/Fenton Motor Group Ford Fusion for Leavine Fenton Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series part-time and the #81 Zachry Holdings, Inc. Toyota Tundra for SS-Green Light Racing...
- 2005 – Ted MusgraveTed MusgraveTheodore Musgrave is an American race car driver.-Pre-NASCAR:Musgrave's father, Elmer, was a famous short-track racer in the Midwest who raced for over 25 years at Soldier Field, O'Hare, Waukegan, and Wilmot, Wisconsin before moving into asphalt late models in the American Speed Association and...
- 2006 – Todd BodineTodd BodineTodd Bodine is a NASCAR driver. Todd is the younger brother of former racers Geoff Bodine and Brett Bodine. Bodine is known for his bald head, which has given him the nickname The Onion...
- 2007 – Johnny BensonJohnny BensonJonathan Benson, Jr. is an American NASCAR driver and the son of former Michigan modified driver John Benson, Sr...
- 2008 – Ron HornadayRon HornadayRonald Hornaday, Jr. is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is the father of former NASCAR driver Ronnie Hornaday, and son of the late Ron Hornaday, Sr., a two-time Winston West Champion. Adding on to the family legacy, Ron is a four-time champion in the Truck Series, his most recent...
- 2009 – Mike Skinner
- 2010 – Kevin HarvickKevin HarvickKevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...
Records
- NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Nationwide Series Qualifying: Brad KeselowskiBrad KeselowskiBradley Robert Keselowski is an American auto racing driver currently competing in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger in the Sprint Cup Series and the #22 Discount Tire Company/Ruby Tuesday Dodge Challenger in the Nationwide Series for Penske Racing...
& Reed SorensonReed SorensonBradley Reed Sorenson is an American NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #82 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge Charger in the Nationwide Series...* , 33.158 sec. (135.714 mph), July 18, 2009 - NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Nationwide Series Race: Carl EdwardsCarl EdwardsCarl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
, 2 hr. 5 min. 54 sec. (119.142 mph), July 29, 2006 - NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Camping World Truck Series Qualifying: Ted MusgraveTed MusgraveTheodore Musgrave is an American race car driver.-Pre-NASCAR:Musgrave's father, Elmer, was a famous short-track racer in the Midwest who raced for over 25 years at Soldier Field, O'Hare, Waukegan, and Wilmot, Wisconsin before moving into asphalt late models in the American Speed Association and...
, 33.294 sec. (135.159 mph), 2005 - NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Camping World Truck Series Race: Jack SpragueJack SpragueJack Sprague is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is currently a free agent. Sprague has finished in the top-ten in the points standings almost every year he has raced in the trucks, and won three championships in 1997, 1999, and 2001 while driving for Hendrick Motorsports.-...
, 1 hr. 45 min. 31 sec. - SCCA Formula AtlanticFormula AtlanticFormula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
Overall: Hans Peter, 53.635, March 29, 2008
Other events
MetallicaMetallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
's Summer Sanitarium Tour
Summer Sanitarium Tour
The Summer Sanitarium Tour was Metallica's packaged tour in the Summer of the year 2000. Taking place in "stadiums, arenas, and yes, even speedways," the tour was one of the top grossing tours of the Summer. It was also the final tour for long-time bassist Jason Newsted who quit the band in January...
made a stop at Gateway on July 3, 2000. Other artists featured at the concert were Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
, Powerman 5000
Powerman 5000
Powerman 5000 is an American Metal band formed in 1991. Through the span of over two decades, the group has released several albums and gained their highest commercial success with 1999's science fiction themed Tonight the Stars Revolt!...
& System of a Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
.
External links
- Gateway Motorsports Park Official Site under construction
- Gateway International Raceway Page on NASCAR.com
- Trackpedia guide to driving this track
- High Resolution image from Google Maps