I highly recommend the ride-along experience in a race car with Richard Petty. We both did it together and loved it. When I say together, I mean we each had our own seat in a car but the race cars go two at a time. One car is leading, one car is following, but both cars are going 165 MPH on the race track. When we initially arrived, we had trouble finding the location. After visiting the administrative office, we were told we had to enter at GATE 5. It was easy sailing from there. We had gift cards (which were a great deal at $59 for a ride-along) and were able to check in quickly at the blue truck to purchase our ride-along. After signing a waiver form, we received an arm band and a lanyard with a USB attached to it. We had no idea what the USB was for until we were in the race car. The USB was used to save a video of our experience inside and outside of the race car. Right before we took off, a professional photographer also took our picture. Pictures were $17.50 w/o the plaque, $35 with the plaque, and the video was about $49. We ordered the video and they actually gave us the 4GB USB to take home. The video is NOT on a DVD. After checking in, we were sent off to the tents where we had to put on a full body suit and a helmet. The staff there provided us with the correct size suit and measured us for the correct helmet size. Like real race cars, the cars do not have doors. I highly do NOT recommend this experience for people who cannot climb in and out of a race car window. This was the only way we could get into and out of the race car. There was a man who was in a wheel chair. Thankfully he was not a heavy person and the staff were able to carry him into the car. The staff did an excellent job of strapping me in. I felt safe during my entire experience from start to finish. Everyone was also very nice and answered any questions we had. I was told to keep my eyes open as the car raced by inches away from the race track wall at 165 MPH. It was exhilarating! We were thankful that the weather was perfect for our ride-along. I had purchased the gift cards in 2010 but was never able to use it until this year (2012) because Richard Petty's schedule conflicted with ours. I recommend checking the yearly schedule on the website for ride-alongs and drive-alongs because Richard Petty is not always at the Chicagoland Speedway. However, these gift cards are okay to use nationwide wherever Richard Petty is. No appointment is required. It was all on a first come first serve basis. Another thing to check off on my bucket list! read more

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What do you buy for someone who is a daredevil at heart but who has done almost everything crazy you can think of from jumping out of a plane, to running with the bulls to flying an airplane? How about giving him the experience of a lifetime of taking the wheel of a real 600 HP NASCAR race car and taking it out on the track for 8 laps? Yep. That's what the Richard Petty "Rookie" Experience gives you The scheduling staff are very helpful, explaining in detail, the various options they have and when they will be in your town. You can also get a complete line up on their website. And on the day of the experience, they go out of their way to make you feel like a real race car driver! A couple of pointers to help you at this course. Get there early before your experience as you may have some difficulty as we did finding the right gate. GATE 5 is the gate but that is not on the main road rather down a side street. But once you find it- there is signage that steers you to the garages and the small house where they will get you suited up and ready to go. Also know that if it rains, you may have to postpone your experience but full vouchers are given for alternate dates. All in all an experience of a lifetime that is worth every penny for that daredevil in your life! read more

If you are looking for a true next level thrill.... Look elsewhere. Bottom line up front, if you have ever driven a car fast or have any type of amateur race experience you are probably going to feel ripped off by The Richard Petty Driving Experience. It is really a disgrace to the name. I purchased the 8 lap experience with a 3 lap ride along for myself and my father. The ride along was a fair introduction to the track and exposure to the race line and how the car will handle. You experience some Gs and it is loud, but the drivers are not really trying. Much of the time they only had one hand on the steering wheel and didn't shift or break at all unless they were in the pit lane. They stay well clear of the wall and missed half the gates they instruct the amateur drivers to hit. Supposedly, these guys top out at 160mph but I didn't get the impression they were that fast from comparing my driving experience to the ride along video. So, the driving experience.... First the cars have throttle limiters which the instructor may or may not use depending on how comfortable they are with you. This was used on me but not my father either way they are not going to let you go very fast. My father's max speed was 120 and mine 136. Prior to beginning the driving they give you a short safety brief. Here they discuss the race gates (cones and white tape on the track) and emphasis listening to the instructor in the passenger seat. They assure you that if you just listen to the instructor they are going to make you go fast. My father obeyed the instructor's every command. He slowed down, maintained and sped up on command. He kind of lost track of how many laps he had done as the experience is actually very short and well under 10 mins. Realizing that the instructor was being extremely conservative and that he had not even had a chance to floor the gas, my father finally decided to start pushing it... right as the instructor told him to pit. He was very disappointed. My experience was different but ended the same. I have a little track experience on a motorcycle and was looking forward to pushing a car a bit. I definitely tried to get some speed in the early laps. This made the instructor very uncomfortable. I obeyed his commands without question but felt unnecessarily held back. Later I learned that he had utilized the throttle limiter on me. Like my father, I was disappointed. read more

Ok, if you've never been in a race car before; it is a great time. The staff were very friendly. There are a couple of things that could really improve the experience. First - if you're a big guy like me, forget about the Indy car and do the stock car. I was going to do Indy and was so squished in the cockpit I couldn't turn the wheel. I got out and went over to a stock car. Secondly, the video. They charge way to much for the video. Also, the quality is very bad, the video wiggles at high RPM. Also, there is no communication between you and your spotter on the video, even though there is a giant racing audio logo on the video. It comes on a USB drive with all this funky bloatware just to watch it. It is a two camera system, one on you and one out the windshield; but the two videos are embedded into one stream; not great if you want to edit later. Third - the video you watch before getting to the track. The safety part is obviously important; but they tell you how to drive the course. The course on the video is an oval and CMS is a tri-oval. I wished they would have stopped the video and informed us of the proper racing lines for the tri-oval. Last - the spotter. He could have done a better job. He was basically telling me what RPM to be at. He could have done a lot more coaching as to when to lift, how much wheel to put in the turns, when to get back in the throttle, etc. I don't even know if he was paying attention; I had to tell him when there was a car in front of me that I needed to pass. I think with better instruction, I could have had a much better time and gotten better lap times. My certificate said I hit 151.95mph. I find that hard to believe as my lap times where 60-65 seconds for a 1.52 mile course (average speed of 90 mph). If I hit 150 on the backstretch, then my corner speeds must have been horrible. Granted, their website will tell you that the top speed is just a guess anyways; so I wouldn't put too much belief in it. All in all, it is a cool experience for someone who's never been to a track before. Just being in the infield and behind pit wall and hearing the cars was fun. Driving was fun. But I think for someone who has raced before might feel a little underwhelmed. read more

This is one of the best birthday gifts I have ever received. It took me a year to get here and WOW is the best way to describe. I was set for an 8am time and received a call that they need to change my time do to weather. Not a problem i understand so I took the 10am slot. They do ask you to arrive 45 minutes before. It is a smart thing to do as you need to get checked in and get your gear. Upon arrival the signage was perfect for guiding us to our destination very easy. One there you check in sign the waiver form and you can do add on's if you like. Pictures, video or extra race time. The first fire suit I got was a bit small no problem got a new one and fit perfect. As we waited around, the staff made announcements and let us go and check out the cars. Right before 10am they took all the drivers and if family or friends were there they were welcome. It is a mandatory driver meeting. Must attend or you do not drive.They showed a video explaining in detail what would be happening, what to expect and a big emphasis on safety. Once complete they talked and did a question and answer session. Then we were off back to the track to start our experience. They had eight cars set up for us drivers and 2 others for folks that want to drive along with a pro. As I waited my turn. they do supply a beeper and when it goes off your in line. Mine turn came and I stepped up. First thing was ear buds/radio, then came the sock for my head to put on before the helmet, and of course the helmet. Now i am ready. I wait to be called. They have cars set up for different heights of people. The seats do not adjust, My car number 95 pulled in and I was escorted to the car and waited while the other driver climbed out. Now I am a little nervous but ready. The staff explained how to get in the car, it is just like you see on TV can be amusing. Small window and large body but you kinda just plop in. Then they hook up the microphone, seat belts and steering wheel. Pull on it to make sure it is locked in. Once you are locked in they give a sign and your pro on the ear set lets you know to take off. The pro guides you the entire drive time and let you increase your speed as he can tell your comfort level. After one lap you on the track you feel good and I wanted more. As I sped up it was pretty intense but amazing how these cars just hug the track and turns. At no time did I slow down just kept flying along. The turns are great especially at 140 mph. I did about 8 laps in 5 minutes top speed of 148.11 and loved it. If your looking for a gift or for yourself this is with doubt worth it. Fun time, pumped for the rest of my day. The staff was amazing, They guide you through the whole process and make you feel like a racer. Helpful, friendly and they want you to be safe. Great gift, Great time!!!!! read more

Absolutely hated it. We got here 30 min earlier. Rain started outside. I requested to reschedule and was denied by the manager. He told me that I have to remain on premise for another 2 hours before they make the decision to cancel and let us reschedule. I told him that it is obvious that it is wet outside and there is no way for the track to dry out. All I asked for is to reschedule and come on a better day. They simply kept me hostage. Terrible place read more

If you are looking for a true next level thrill.... Look elsewhere. Bottom line up front, if you have ever driven a car fast or have any type of amateur race experience you are probably going to feel ripped off by The Richard Petty Driving Experience. It is really a disgrace to the name. I purchased the 8 lap experience with a 3 lap ride along for myself and my father. The ride along was a fair introduction to the track and exposure to the race line and how the car will handle. You experience some Gs and it is loud, but the drivers are not really trying. Much of the time they only had one hand on the steering wheel and didn't shift or break at all unless they were in the pit lane. They stay well clear of the wall and missed half the gates they instruct the amateur drivers to hit. Supposedly, these guys top out at 160mph but I didn't get the impression they were that fast from comparing my driving experience to the ride along video. So, the driving experience.... First the cars have throttle limiters which the instructor may or may not use depending on how comfortable they are with you. This was used on me but not my father either way they are not going to let you go very fast. My father's max speed was 120 and mine 136. Prior to beginning the driving they give you a short safety brief. Here they discuss the race gates (cones and white tape on the track) and emphasis listening to the instructor in the passenger seat. They assure you that if you just listen to the instructor they are going to make you go fast. My father obeyed the instructor's every command. He slowed down, maintained and sped up on command. He kind of lost track of how many laps he had done as the experience is actually very short and well under 10 mins. Realizing that the instructor was being extremely conservative and that he had not even had a chance to floor the gas, my father finally decided to start pushing it... right as the instructor told him to pit. He was very disappointed. My experience was different but ended the same. I have a little track experience on a motorcycle and was looking forward to pushing a car a bit. I definitely tried to get some speed in the early laps. This made the instructor very uncomfortable. I obeyed his commands without question but felt unnecessarily held back. Later I learned that he had utilized the throttle limiter on me. Like my father, I was disappointed. read more

Dream come true for my son!!!!! The staff was so professional kind and fun loving we had a blast!! read more

Richard Petty Driving Experience - Dream come true!! - Racing Experience Near Me - Joliet, Illinois

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Mike B I don't have any pics now ,but you need to see this for your self. Ridealongs are great ,getting behind the wheel is the best . I also purchased an up grade drive at the end of the session,a super expreience, 135 mph on the rookie drive and with the coaching from Greg Remmer at Chicago I ran 144 mph on my second pass and passed other cars on the track. I will be going back for my 5th time this year and the Lord willing and the creek dosen't rise I want to break into 150. Thank you all, Mike read more