NASCAR Names Jacqueline Herrera as New GM at Chicagoland Speedway
The engines at Chicagoland Speedway fell silent years ago, leaving a void in the hearts of race fans across the Midwest. That iconic 1.5-mile tri-oval in Joliet, once a temple of speed that crowned champions and broke hearts, became a ghost track.
We all wondered if the roar would ever return. Now, the silence is about to be shattered. NASCAR is coming back, and they’ve handed the keys to someone who understands what this place means. Her name is Jacqueline “Jacque” Herrera, and she’s one of us.
A Homecoming Fit for a Lifelong Fan
This isn’t just another corporate appointment. For Jacque Herrera, this is personal. This is a full-circle moment that feels like something straight out of a movie. Raised in Chicago, Herrera wasn’t just a casual observer; she was a die-hard fan, a kid who spent sun-drenched weekends with her dad in the grandstands of Chicagoland Speedway, soaking it all in.
She still remembers the feeling, the raw energy of her first race. She was the self-proclaimed tomboy, tagging along with her dad while her sisters were elsewhere. She recalls one specific day, a solo trip with her father to watch the legend, Tony Stewart, battle for a win.
They forgot the sunscreen, and she went home with a blistering sunburn, but it didn’t matter. “That was actually probably one of my best memories with my dad,” Herrera reminisced. It was more than just a race; it was the day she truly understood the passion, the community, and the spectacle of NASCAR.
From that moment on, racing was in her blood. Now, the little girl who once cheered from the stands is the General Manager, tasked with bringing her beloved Chicagoland Speedway back to life. “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the little girl from Chicago that used to attend the races to become the GM of Chicagoland Speedway,” she said, the pride evident in her voice.
More Than Just a Racetrack
Herrera isn’t just a fan. She’s a force of nature when it comes to community. Before taking the helm at Chicagoland, she spent three years as the Director of Community Relations for the Chicago Street Race. She wasn’t just shaking hands and posing for photos.
She was on the ground, building genuine, lasting relationships with city leaders, local organizations, and the people of Chicago. She understands that a racetrack like Chicagoland is more than just asphalt and steel. It’s a part of the community’s fabric.
She plans to bring that same fire to Joliet. “One of the most important parts of my job,” Herrera explained, “is getting to know and build these relationships with the local community… and listen to the people that live in this area.”
She’s not here to dictate.She’s here to listen, to learn, and to make sure the speedway is a source of pride for everyone in Will County. This passion for people is something deeply ingrained in her. “My mother is from the South,” she shared.
“That Southern hospitality of always just making sure everyone feels like family… I’m also Mexican, so I think a lot of that comes from my culture.” This isn’t corporate jargon. It’s who she is. She’s the kind of person who greets you with a hug, not just a handshake, and makes you feel like an old friend from the moment you meet.
The Road to the Green Flag
The return to Chicagoland Speedway is set for the Fourth of July weekend in 2026, a massive three-day event featuring ARCA, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series. There’s a mountain of work to do.
The facility, while in decent shape, needs updates and renovations to get it ready for the grand return. But Herrera is unfazed. “We have a lot of work ahead of us in the coming months, weeks, days,” she acknowledged, but her optimism is contagious.
Her ultimate goal is simple yet profound. She wants to give every single fan the kind of unforgettable experience that turned her into a lifelong supporter all those years ago.”To make it the best race a NASCAR fan has ever attended,” Herrera stated with conviction.
“At the core of it, that’s exactly what I want. I want any person that walks through our doors to walk away and say, ‘This is the best damn thing I’ve ever done,’ and walk away thinking, ‘I’m going to return to a NASCAR race.’”
Final Thoughts
For the fans who have waited patiently and held onto their memories of classic battles on this beloved track, Herrera’s appointment is a sign. It’s a promise that Chicagoland Speedway is not just reopening, it’s a long-awaited homecoming.
