[bears9]

Chicagoland Speedway's NASCAR races will be run under the lights starting next year.

Citing fan comfort in July and the more exciting ambience of night racing, track President Matthew Alexander announced Tuesday that lights would be installed at the 1.5-mile facility in Joliet.

The Nextel Cup race, traditionally run on Sunday afternoons, will now be run on Saturday nights beginning July 12. And the Busch race will be shifted from Saturday afternoon to Friday night.

"Traditionally our NASCAR races have taken place during the time of year when excessive heat can become an issue for our fans," Alexander said in a statement. "By adding lights to our facility, we hope to make the guest experience a more comfortable one."

But the old NASCAR promoters' adage that "the darker it gets, the faster they go" -- or so it seems to fans -- also was a factor.

"Night racing is one of the most thrilling experiences for fans to be a part of, and now we will be able to bring that type of exciting atmosphere to our facility," Alexander said.

[smokefan20]

yeah! we need another night race!

[LSC9901]

I have no problem with Sat night races but I do know that the local tracks through out the US suffer when NASCAR does race on Sat. night.

[nascarfan24]

That's true but I think this is exactly what Chicago needed.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I have no problem with Sat night races but I do know that the local tracks through out the US suffer when NASCAR does race on Sat. night.

The way the ratings are today and attendance for NA$CAR, I don't think those local boys are sufferin that bad.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by nascarfan24

That's true but I think this is exactly what Chicago needed.

Again, no arguement from me. Better for the fans, drivers and teams as far as the weather goes.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Quality88

The way the ratings are today and attendance for NA$CAR, I don't think those local boys are sufferin that bad.

No kidding about the local fan thing

[BringBackWilkesboro]

I have no problem with night races, I just think there are too many (you know, tradition and all). I also don't see how taking a terrible race and putting under the lights in an attempt to hide the fact the race is awful makes a difference( Fontana for example). I guess instead of napping through the middle of the race, people will just go right to bed, but I don't think that's what NASCAR is looking for. But hey, it gets the ratings if people leave their TVs on.