Springfield Mile
A general view of the Springfield Mile ahead of the Allen Crowe 100 for the ARCA Menards Series at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, on Oct. 4, 2020. (Jeff Curry/ARCA Racing)

Track Profile: Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

Late August is time for the ARCA Menards Series to get dirty.

With the exception of 1997 and 2020, when the races were held in October, the series has competed on the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds every August since 1984. That doesn’t include ARCA’s inaugural event on the one-mile dirt (technically clay) oval in 1983, which was held in June and won by Dean Roper.

This tradition has become a staple on the ARCA Menards Series schedule, with the Allen Crowe 100 taking place as part of the last weekend of fair in the state capital on an annual basis. The race is among the most physical for drivers and among the most entertaining for fans of the series.

Below is everything to know about the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Allen Crowe 100: Preview | Schedule

Track Profile: Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

Springfield Mile Logo

 

Track Springfield Mile
Location Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois
Opened 1910
Layout Oval
Surface Clay
Length One mile

The Springfield Mile was built in the late 1800s, but 1910 marked the beginning of its hosting professional auto racing. That makes it one of the oldest and most iconic speedways in the United States.

The clay oval we recognize today was configured in the winter of 1926-1927, when the grandstands along the frontstretch were constructed.

In 1934, the fair received an American Automobile Association national championship race, just one of four on the schedule, courtesy of legendary promoter Ralph “Pappy” Hankinson. The track has hosted national championship dirt racing ever since.

The ARCA Menards Series’ Springfield tradition began almost 40 years ago. Frank Kimmel, the series’ all-time wins leader, has the most Springfield victories with eight.

That includes Kimmel’s four consecutive victories on the one-mile clay oval from 2000-2003. He also won back-to-back events at Springfield in 2007 and 2008.

The 2012 event, also won by Kimmel, set a record for an ARCA race at the mile with an average speed of 95.265 mph.

PHOTOS: ARCA racing at the Springfield Mile

Springfield Mile
The Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Jay Alley/ARCA Racing)

ARCA Menards Series races at the Springfield Mile

Year-Race No. Date Winner Started OEM
1983-06 6/5/83 Dean Roper 3 Pontiac
1984-12 8/19/84 Bobby Jacks 2 Oldsmobile
1985-12 8/18/85 Dean Roper 18 Pontiac
1986-12 8/17/86 Dean Roper 12 Pontiac
1987-13 8/23/87 Bob Keselowski 1 Chevrolet
1988-16 8/21/88 Bob Keselowski 5 Chevrolet
1989-13 8/20/89 Bob Keselowski 6 Pontiac
1990-13 8/19/90 Bob Brevak 1 Buick
1991-16 8/18/91 Bobby Bowsher 11 Pontiac
1992-16 8/23/92 Bobby Bowsher 6 Ford
1993-14 8/23/93 Bob Keselowski 13 Chrysler
1994-16 8/21/94 Bob Hill 1 Chevrolet
1995-17 8/20/95 Billy Thomas 11 Pontiac
1996-19 8/18/96 Tim Steele 13 Ford
1997-21 10/18/97 Tim Steele 4 Ford
1998-14 8/23/98 Ken Schrader 1 Chevrolet
1999-15 8/22/99 Bill Baird 2 Chevrolet
2000-14 8/20/00 Frank Kimmel 2 Chevrolet
2001-17 8/19/01 Frank Kimmel 1 Chevrolet
2002-16 8/18/02 Frank Kimmel 1 Ford
2003-15 8/17/03 Frank Kimmel 1 Ford
2004-17 8/22/04 Bill Baird 11 Chevrolet
2005-18 8/21/05 Frank Kimmel 7 Ford
2006-16 8/20/06 Justin Allgaier 3 Pontiac
2007-16 8/19/07 Frank Kimmel 1 Ford
2008-15 8/17/08 Frank Kimmel 1 Ford
2009-14 8/23/09 Parker Kligerman 2 Dodge
2010-14 8/22/10 Patrick Sheltra 5 Dodge
2011-14 8/21/11 Chad McCumbee 3 Ford
2012-16 8/19/12 Frank Kimmel 10 Toyota
2013-15 8/18/13 Brennan Poole 3 Chevrolet
2014-15 8/17/14 Kevin Swindell 8 Toyota
2015-16 8/23/15 A.J. Fike 25 Ford
2016-15 8/21/16 Justin Haley 12 Chevrolet
2017-14 8/20/17 Grant Enfinger 2 Chevrolet
2018-15 8/19/18 Christian Eckes 8 Toyota
2019-16 8/18/19 Michael Self 9 Toyota
2020-19 10/4/20 Ryan Unzicker 1 Chevrolet