Weekend Flashback: Meadowdale International Raceway

By Prescott Carlson in Miscellaneous on Aug 14, 2010 5:45PM

While us Chicagoans like poking fun at those NASCAR loving rubes from the south like our editor-in-chief (just kidding, Marcus!), the Chicago area has some auto racing history of its own, namely the Meadowdale International Raceway in the northwest suburbs. Located in Carpentersville along Route 31, the Meadowdale opened in 1958 and was originally financed by local developer Leonard W. Besinger, and operated for 11 years on over 300 acres. It featured a 3.27 mile long track with a 3/4 mile straightaway that cars spilled into after coming out of a steep 180 degree curve that was known as the "Monza Wall." Cars on that stretch of the track would sometimes reach speeds of over 170 miles per hour.

But despite the thrilling races, Meadowdale's life was short lived. The track only attracted decent crowds for five years, losing races and spectators to the track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. There were also a number of safety concerns at the track (a driver was even killed on its opening day) that were never taken care of, and it closed in 1969 and the property became dormant.

The Meadowdale has received a second life, however. In 1994, the area park district began the process of acquiring the land, and completely purchased and took over the entire site in 2002 christening it "Raceway Woods." Much of the original asphalt of the track remains, and volunteers keep it clear of weeds so visitors can walk or ride bikes and horses along the same stretch of road that once roared with Shelby Cobras and Ferraris. The original Pure Oil silo, which had fallen victim of neglect and graffiti, was completely restored in 2007.