Chicagoland Speedway changes name of Expo Village
Home to more than 40 interactive sponsor displays during NASCAR and IndyCar Series weekend, Champions' Park (which endured a $1.5-million facelift in 2005) also features colorful benches and walkways lined with grass, trees and shrubs spaced throughout the 14.5 acres of land. Additionally, this area includes the Miller Lite Oasis and "Walk of Champions," which is made up of mounted plaques honoring Chicagoland Speedway's past champions from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the IndyCar Series – including Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Indy 500 Winners Sam Hornish and Dan Wheldon.
"Changing the name of Expo Village to Champions' Park coincides with some new additions we have made to the park-like area," said Matthew Alexander, president of Chicagoland Speedway. "In an effort to exceed our fans expectations by continually improving our state-of-the-art facility, we added the "Walk of Champions" last year to compliment the interactive sponsor displays, Miller Lite Oasis and scenic landscape of Champions' Park. We felt these championship plaques would be a perfect way to honor some of the greatest names in racing who have been victorious at Chicagoland Speedway."
In addition to the name change, 2006 USG SHEETROCK 400 winner and current NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series points leader, Jeff Gordon, is scheduled to be in Champions' Park to unveil his championship monument during USG Pole Day on Friday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m. Gordon's victory at Chicagoland Speedway last year marked his first victory at the 1.5-mile, D-shaped oval and 75th career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series win.