Here’s where the NASCAR series will affect traffic in St. Louis, where to park for events
As you gear up for St. Louis’ upcoming NASCAR Cup Series event, expect congestion and roadway constrictions on Interstate 55/Interstate 70, Illinois 203 and Collinsville Road from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 4 and 5.
The Enjoy Illinois 300 Weekend is part of the NASCAR Cup Series and will take place June 3 to June 5. It is the first of its kind to grace the St. Louis area, and officials expect the event to bring more than $60 million in tourism to the region.
Southbound Ill. 203 will be closed to traffic between Bend Road and I-55/I-70, and you will need a parking pass or credential to pass through the Southbound Ill. 203 area.
Illinois Department of Transportation officials encourage drivers to avoid the World Wide Technology Raceway area if possible, as traffic and delays may become an issue.
Free shuttles for race events will be available departing from Marcus St. Clair Value Cinema Parking Lot and Emerson Park Station in East St. Louis. Free parking is offered for certain designated spaces at Emerson Park Station, and they are first come, first served. More information about the shuttle service and additional pick up locations is available online.
There is a public drop-off and pick-up zone at Gateway Golf Course, north of the track. As races conclude June 5 and 6, there will be a lane reduction at Westbound I-55/I-70.
IDOT officials said motorists should expect changing conditions and stay alert for pedestrians, workers, police and equipment.
Where can I park at World Wide Technology Raceway?
If you opt to brave the traffic in lieu of using public transport, here’s what to know about purchasing parking passes. Parking must be purchased in advance and is not available to buy onsite.
The parking options for those not camping or tailgating include the Orange Lot, Red Lot and the VIP Lot. There is an option labeled accessible for the Orange Lot.
A weekend VIP pass cost $100 as of Thursday afternoon, but prices may change for all options as the race date approaches. This lot was formerly called Brown South Lot and is located outside Turn 1 in the paved special events parking area.
General parking can be accessed by orange and red passes and is located off Collinsville Road, in the gravel on the west side of the facility. For red passes, you can enter through Gate 1: 700 Raceway Blvd. The red weekend pass is currently going for $40.
The orange weekend version is also $40 and only available to those with Americans with Disabilities Act permits. Illinois State Police will be checking identification upon entry. The accessible lot is on pavement. There is a Saturday orange accessible lot option for $20.
For single-day passes, you can get a Saturday orange pass or a Sunday red pass, both priced at $20 each.
Driving directions for World Wide Technology Raceway parking
Here’s how to get to the racetrack.
From MidAmerica Airport, southern Illinois:
Take Interstate 64 West
I-55 North
Ill. 203 South (Exit 4) to the right toward Fairmont City
Turn right onto Collinsville Road, follow signs
From St. Louis Lambert International Airport:
Take I-70 East across Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge
Continue east on I-70 and merge into I-55 North. Do not exit at I-64 East
Ill. 203 South (Exit 4) to the right toward Fairmont City
Turn right onto Collinsville Road and follow signs
From downtown St. Louis:
Take I-70/I-64 East
Merge to I-55 North/I-70 East
Ill. 203 South (Exit 4) to the right toward Fairmont City
Turn right onto Collinsville Road and follow signs
Here’s how to get to the parking lots:
The Brown parking can be reached from IL 203 and Ohio Avenue (through the main gate). A portion of accessible parking is designated for this lot.
The Orange parking can be accessed from Collinsville Road. Those on westbound I-55/I-70 will use IL 111 to reach Collinsville Road. Those on eastbound I-55/I-70 are directed to IL 203 South/Collinsville Road.
The Purple lot can be accessed from IL 203 and the north gate. A portion of the ADA-accessible lot is also assigned here.
Red parking can be found through IL 203 and the north gate.
RV and camper parking is accessible from IL 203 and Bend Road.
You can get to the rideshare drop point from IL 203 and Eagle Park Drive to Golf Road. There will be no vehicular or pedestrian access across IL 203 at Ohio Avenue to the raceway. Pedestrians and motorists will be directed to Bend Road/Eagle Park Drive to cross or enter IL 203 from Ohio Avenue.
How to leave the racetrack
In a June 2 press release, the Illinois Department of Transportation provided information about leaving the parking facilities. The statement emphasized that “All roads lead to an interstate.” Here’s how to access highways from each parking area:
From the Red and Purple (North Gate) lots:
The two right lanes from World Wide Technology Raceway will be directed to southbound IL 203, but all directions of I-55/I-70 are accessible.
The left lane will be assigned to northbound IL 203. Detour signage will be posted for continuation along IL 203 to eastbound IL 162, leading to IL 111 and I-255. Northbound and southbound IL 111 and I-255 will be accessible.
From the Brown lot, ADA-accessible parking and VIP section:
All traffic will use the right shoulder of southbound IL 203 (dubbed the “Button Hook”). Motorists will be designated to use westbound I-55/I-70, and an interstate lane will be closed to facilitate merging.
To access northbound I-55, eastbound I-70 or I-64, follow a marked detour along I-70 westbound to Fairmont City Boulevard, Packers Avenue and back to I-70 eastbound with access to I-55, eastbound I-70 and I-64.
To leave from the Orange lot:
The left two lanes will turn left (east) on Collinsville Road, and each direction of I-55/I-70 will be accessible. If this traffic gets heavy, Illinois State Police will direct traffic down Collinsville Road (east) leading to IL 111 and I-255.
North/southbound IL 111 and I-255 will be accessible. The right lane will be directed right (west) on Collinsville Road. All directions of I-64, I-55/I-70 and IL 3 will be available. To access westbound I-70, use St. Clair Avenue (north) to N 1st Street (west) and Fairmont City Boulevard.
