HISTORY OF THE GATEWAY MOTORSPORT PARK

World Wide Technology Raceway, previously known as Gateway Motorsports Park, is the beating heart of motorsport in the St. Louis area. The site first hosted a road course in 1985, laying the foundation for its modern facilities. The current track was built in the mid‑1990s on the grounds of the former St. Louis International Raceway and officially opened its doors in 1997.

From then the 1.25‑mile oval attracted top‑tier events, welcoming the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the Busch Series, and IndyCar competition, quickly establishing itself as a staple on the national racing calendar.

The journey of the track has not been without challenges. Financial difficulties led to its closure in 2010, seemingly ending its role in American motorsport. But just two years later, St. Louis businessman Curtis Francois stepped in to revive the venue. 

He not only brought the facility back to life but also invested heavily in renovations, breathing new energy into the track. Under his leadership, Gateway Motorsports Park reclaimed its place in major racing, hosting NHRA drag racing, IndyCar, and the return of NASCAR Trucks.

A new chapter began in 2019, when a naming rights agreement transformed the venue into World Wide Technology Raceway, reflecting its ambitions on the national stage. The culmination of its revival came in 2022, when the track hosted its first‑ever NASCAR Cup Series race, the Enjoy Illinois 300. Today, the venue continues to thrive, welcoming fans to NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events and standing as a modern symbol of racing passion in the Midwest.

Winners of Enjoy Illinois 300:

• 2022 (June 5): Joey Logano (Team Penske, Ford) won the inaugural NASCAR Cup race at the track, edging the field in overtime
• 2023 (June 4): Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet) claimed victory in overtime, holding off Denny Hamlin for his first win at Gateway.
• 2024 (June 2): Austin Cindric (Team Penske, Ford) took the win after teammate Ryan Blaney ran out of fuel on the final lap, securing Team Penske’s second victory at the venue.