Gateway International Raceway ... A Flat DarlingtonLocated in Madison, Illinois, Gateway International Raceway ranks as one of the premier motorsports facilities in North America. The 1.25 mile oval track has a reputation among drivers and diehard fans as "a flat Darlington" because of it's unique shape and different degrees of banking in each corner. The raceway possesses an egg-shaped design just like the legendary Darlington Raceway. Turns 1 and 2 of the oval track have banking characteristics similar to New Hampshire Motor Speedway while Turns 3 and 4 have banking the matches Phoenix International Raceway. The Gateway Raceway annually hosts major stock car, drag racing and motorcycle events, attracting up to 65,000 raving diehard fans in attendance for it's major events.
The Wallaces ... St. Louis' First Family of RacingOne of America's most famous racing families hails from St. Louis, Missouri - The Wallace Family.Led by racing legend Rusty Wallace, and followed by brothers Michael and Kenny, the family has made a impact on the sport of North American auto racing that will no doubt last for generations to come. The brothers grew up in a racing environment as their father was a local dirt track champion in the St. Louis area. For those who knew the Wallace brothers, it was no surprise to see the level of success that the brothers have achieved in the world of professional stock car racing.
Today, Rusty and Kenny are two of the most recognizable commentators in motorsports. While Kenny and Michael still compete on occasion, there are two up-and-coming Wallaces that are working hard to continue the family tradition - Steve and Chrissy Wallace, both the offspring of Michael. Steve competes full-time as a stock car driver; sometimes racing bumper-to-bumper with his Uncle Kenny. Chrissy is working hard - and winning along the way - to become the first woman to win a NASCAR Cup Championship. As a tribute honoring the Wallace family's contribution to auto racing in the Greater St. Louis area, the Gateway International Raceway renamed the grandstands in Turns 1 and 2 after them. Day Trip: St. Louis ... Home of American BrewingNothing in America symbolizes the nation's love affair with the Almighty Brew - beer - more than the famous Clydesdales horses that pull the Budweiser buggies. Beautiful, majestic, well-muscled, and unforgettable are those Budweiser Clydesdale horses that the whole world has seen in numerous Super Bowl commercials.
Representing the most famous brand in the world - the King of Beers, Budweiser - for decades, the Budweiser Clydesdale horses still tour the country to this day with much fanfare wherever they go. If you enjoy any of the Anheuser-Busch brand of beers, you have got to make taking a tour of America's most famous brewery a must-do in your race vacation plans.
And for lunch or dinner, you've got to enjoy a pint or two of microbrew that you will find only at one of St. Louis' local brew restaraunts along with another local treasure - St. Louis Style Pizza.
Finding Gateway International Raceway OnlineOfficial Website of Gateway RacewayGateway Raceway on FacebookGateway Raceway on TwitterOfficial St. Louis Visitors SiteOfficial Site for Budweiser Tours
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