Published on July 8, 2026 7:44 am
Last Updated on July 8, 2026 7:44 am
BELLEVILLE — The long-anticipated return of racing to the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway is now official. Track promoters today unveiled plans for the facility’s grand opening event on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, highlighted by the St. Clair Fair Classic.
The milestone event will feature premier racing divisions, including KKM Midgets, DIRTcar Modifieds, and NARA Winged Micro Sprints, marking the debut of the newly constructed 1/4-mile high-banked oval. The race will also serve as the official finale to the 2026 St. Clair County Fair.
“While the track is all-new, we wanted to ensure that our opening event honors the rich history of racing at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park,” said Curtis Francois, operator and leaseholder of the new facility. “The St. Clair Fair Classic is a testament to the vision and commitment of the St. Clair County Board and Chairman Mark Kern to make motorsports an economic driver for the region. We’re proud to bring racing back to Belleville and begin an exciting new era for the facility.”
“The legend of ‘Little Belleville’ was built on historic midget racing, and we are excited to bring those memories back for generations of fans who called the former track home,” said Chris Blair, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway executive promoter. “At the same time, the St. Louis region remains a hotbed for DIRTcar Modifieds and Winged Micro Sprints, making it essential that we showcase the very best regional talent to launch this new era.”
Opening night will feature strong purses across all divisions, including:
- $3,000-to-win for the KKM Midget Challenge
- $2,500-to-win for DIRTcar Modifieds
- $1,000-to-win for NARA Outlaw Micro Sprints
The event will also be broadcast nationally on FloRacing, bringing the excitement of the reopening to a broader audience.
“It’s a new era for racing at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway, and we are proud to showcase some of the most exciting racing in the region for our opening night,” said Toby Kruse, local racing promoter and the venues operating manager. “We’ve worked closely with fellow promoters, racers, and sanctioning bodies to assemble what we believe will be the first of many outstanding events at this facility.”
Kruse also acknowledged key contributors to the event, including racers Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader, promoters Josh Carroll (I-55 Speedway) and Brian Rieck (Coles County Speedway), and car owner Keith Kunz (KKM Giveback Challenge).
Ticket Information
Advance adult general admission tickets are available for $20 plus service fees ($23.50 total). Day-of-event tickets, if available, will be $25.Discounted tickets are available for seniors (65+), military members, and teens at $15, while children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
Advance ticket holders who purchase by July 31, 2026, will receive early entry into the grandstands.
Tickets can be purchased online at: tixr.com/groups/
Event Schedule — Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
- 4:00 p.m. — Pit Gates Open
- 5:00 p.m. — Advance Ticket Holder Early Entry
- 5:15 p.m. — Driver Autograph Session
- 5:30 p.m. — General Admission Gates Open / Box Office
- 6:30 p.m. — Hot Laps
- 7:00 p.m. — Opening Ceremonies (Invocation & National Anthem) / Racing Begins
About Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway is a premier ¼-mile dirt oval located within the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park complex in St. Clair County, Illinois. Owned by St. Clair County and opened on August 1, 2026, the speedway was developed as an economic tourism driver to attract visitors from across the region while generating positive economic impact for local businesses and communities.