CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY NASCAR RACES

500 Speedway Blvd, Joliet, IL 60433

JULY 03 THROUGH JULY 06, 2026

In anticipation of a significant number of aircraft traveling to the Chicago, Illinois, area during the Chicagoland Speedway NASCAR races, special air traffic procedures will be incorporated at the Lewis University Airport (KLOT) in Romeoville, Illinois. The procedures begin on Friday, July 3rd and continue through Sunday, July 5th. In the event a NASCAR race is postponed until Monday, July 6^th, then procedures will also apply on that day. There will not be a slot or reservation program into the Chicago area airports for these events.

IFR ARRIVAL PROCEDURES TO KLOT or JOLIET (KJOT)

Aircraft filing for the destination airports of KLOT or KJOT must file for and expect the following routes:

North of Chicago: MSN..RFD..JOT THEN DIRECT

Northwest of Chicago: RFD..JOT THEN DIRECT

West and southwest of Chicago: BDF..MOTIF..JOT THEN DIRECT

From Michigan, Northern Indiana, Ontario: OXI..EON..JOT THEN DIRECT

Other areas east and south of Chicago: MACES..BVT..ZORRO..EON..JOT THEN DIRECT

All other Chicago area airports: file over normal Chicago STAR arrival routes.

IFR DEPARTURES

Please file your IFR flight plan two hours before you wish to depart. Your proposed departure time should be the time you expect to depart, not two hours prior. Due to the expected high volume of filings and the necessity to ensure the preferential routes are incorporated into your flight plan, extra time will be required to process your flight plan. Do not file multiple flight plans. Departure flight plans will be valid from ½ hour before to 2 hours after your proposed departure time.

To update your proposed departure time after Lewis Tower hours, call Chicago TRACON at (847) 289-0926.

On Both Saturday July 4 and Sunday July 5, 2026, contact Chicago TRACON at (847) 289-0926 or (847) 289-1326 to obtain your IFR clearance prior to taxi.

Chicago Center’s ability to provide VFR advisories may be limited and VFR aircraft requesting to activate IFR flight plans while airborne may not be immediately accommodated within 100 miles of the Joliet (JOT) VOR. Attempts to air file an IFR flight plan with Chicago or Indianapolis Center will be referred to the appropriate AFSS.

Traffic departing from all Chicago metropolitan airports should file and expect initial routes over those navaids or fixes depicted in the O’Hare SID departure procedure. NOTE – eastbound aircraft filed over LEWKE or GIJ will be taken over Lake Michigan. If you do not want to fly over water, file over EON, direct OXI and make a notation of “NO OVER WATER” in the remarks of the flight plan.

The following are preferred routes for JET AIRCRAFT from the Chicago area airports to the Indianapolis, Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte and other southerly USA areas:

JET Departure Routing to Indianapolis, Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte and other Southerly USA areas

The following are preferred routes for PROPELLER (including turbo-prop) AIRCRAFT from the Chicago area airports to the Indianapolis, Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte and other southerly USA areas:

PROP Departure Routing to Indianapolis, Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte and other Southerly USA areas

NON-RNAV FLIGHTS or FLIGHTS NOT CAPABLE OF FILING CHICAGO METRO DEPARTURE FIXES destined Southeastern, Southern, or Southwestern USA should file the following:

NON-RNAV Departure Routing to Southeastern, Southern, or Southwestern USA

OBTAINING YOUR IFR CLEARANCE

IFR DEPARTURES from Chicago area UNCONTROLLED Airports: It is recommended that you contact CHICAGO TRACON directly at (847) 289-0926 or (847) 289-1326. Expect a five (5) minute window for your IFR departure release. Peak departure times are expected Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Departures from IKK Airport should contact ZAU ARTCC on 132.5 or frequencies published in the Chart Supplement East Central U.S.

vfr arrivals/departures

Due to the anticipated increased volume of traffic, en route aircraft desiring to traverse the Chicago Metropolitan area should plan routes outside of the Chicago Class B and Midway Class C airspace. The appropriate frequencies for advisories are published on the Chicago VFR Terminal Area Chart. Advisories will be provided by Chicago TRACON or Midway Approach on a workload permitting basis WITHIN THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AREA ONLY. Chicago Center’s ability to provide VFR advisories may be limited and VFR aircraft requesting to activate IFR flight plans while airborne may not be immediately accommodated within 100 miles of the Joliet area. VFR aircraft are to cancel/activate VFR flight plans with Flight Service. A variety of VOR and RCO frequencies are available according to location. Check the Chart Supplement East Central U.S. Chicago Sectional or Chicago Terminal Area Chart for the appropriate frequencies. Flight Service for the Illinois portion of the Chicago metropolitan area can be contacted from all Chicago/suburban area codes at 1-800-WX-BRIEF.

LEWIS UNIVERSITY CONTROL TOWER AND CLASS D AIRSPACE

Check current NOTAMs for updated information on Lewis Tower. Class D airspace will be in effect during times that the control tower is open. The control tower will be open during the following dates and times:

LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT CLASS D dESCRIPTION

ROMEOVILLE/LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT – 41°36’29.1” N / 88°05’47” W

The LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT CLASS D is defined as that airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,900 feet MSL within a 4.1mile radius of Lewis University Airport excluding that area north of a line from lat. 41°37'56''N., long. 88°10'54''W., to lat. 41°40'21''N., long. 88°06'02''W., to lat. 41°40'35''N., long. 88°05'57''W. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times that the control tower is open as listed within this NOTAM.

Requirements:

1. Two-way radio.
2. All aircraft monitor ATIS (126.675)
3. IFR aircraft please obtain ATIS information prior to communications transfer to Chicago Approach south of JOT VOR or EON VOR.
4. VFR aircraft are to contact Lewis Tower (134.8) prior to entry into the LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT CLASS D, IFR aircraft as directed by Chicago Approach.

LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT pROCEDURES

Follow ATC instructions for entry into the pattern and sequencing; normal pattern altitudes apply. Expect helicopter operations departing southeast from the airport, arriving southeast to the airport; the helicopter landing area is in the grass east of TWY C and south of TWY B (See airport layout herein and helicopter operators refer to helicopter procedures within this NOTAM).

All pilots parking at Lewis University Airport should obtain an information sheet from ground handlers or other airport personnel. This information sheet will explain how to obtain fuel, how to get to your aircraft upon your return, and VFR/IFR departure procedures.

IFR and VFR Traffic must contact Ground prior to movement anywhere on the airfield.

Expect numerous arrival and departure activity during this NOTAM period.

Expect helicopters operating 200’ south of RWY 09/27 and 500’ east of RWY 02/20.

LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT FREQUENCIES

1. ATIS: 126.675
2. Tower: 134.8
3. Ground:120.425
4. AWOS: 126.675
5. CTAF: 134.8

Obtain IFR clearances through Chicago Approach Clearance Delivery when Lewis Tower is closed at (847) 289-0926 or (847) 289-1326.

Special departure procedures will be in effect upon completion of the NASCAR races SATURDAY and SUNDAY. Specific times cannot be predetermined, and a large number of departures are expected. ATIS will identify when the special departure procedures are in effect. The special departure procedures are as follows:

vfr dEPARTURES: tAXI AND TOWER PROCEDURES

DO NOT taxi until instructed by ground. IFR clearance must be obtained prior to taxi.

Ground Control (120.425): Follow ground control instructions for sequencing. Do not move from parking location unless instructed by ground control.

VFR DEPARTURE FOR AIRBORNE PICK UP OF AN IFR CLEARANCE MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHIN 100 MILES OF THE JOLIET (JOT) VOR.

VFR aircraft desiring flight following may initiate contact on the appropriate advisory frequency upon leaving the LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT CLASS D. Advisories will be provided by Chicago TRACON or Midway Approach on a workload permitting basis WITHIN THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AREA ONLY. Chicago Center may NOT provide VFR advisories or flight following within 100 miles of the Joliet area. Plan on routes that remain clear of Chicago Class B and Midway Class C airspace. DO NOT plan on receiving Class B clearance. Establishment of radio contact and/or issuance of a transponder code for advisories is NOT a clearance to enter Class B airspace. Contact with Chicago Approach Control is NOT the appropriate facility for entry into the Midway Class C airspace. Refer to the Chicago VFR Terminal Area Chart for advisory frequencies through various VOR frequencies. Refer to the Chicago Sectional or Chicago VFR Terminal Area Chart for VOR frequencies to Flight Service.

IFR dEPARTURES: tAXI AND TOWER PROCEDURES

ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ALL IFR DEPARTURES MUST OBTAIN THEIR IFR CLEARANCE FROM CHICAGO TRACON at (847) 289-0926 or (847) 289-1326.

1. Obtain your IFR Clearance and stay in your parking location
2. Ground will not authorize taxi instructions without you obtaining a squawk code

When preparing to taxi:

1. Monitor ATIS for updated information
2. Contact Ground and advise that you have a transponder code and are ready to taxi.
3. Advise Ground Control of the following:
   1. Call Sign
   2. ATIS Code
   3. That you are IFR to (destination)
   4. Beacon Code Assignment

Stating the beacon code is a crosscheck to ensure you have the correct flight plan clearance. An incorrect beacon code will result in you being directed into an inbound taxiway where you will have to shut down, contact CHICAGO TRACON and obtain the correct flight plan clearance.

Follow ground control instructions for sequencing with other taxiing aircraft. Continue to monitor ground until advised to MONITOR tower frequency. Tower will initiate contact. Acknowledge and follow Tower instructions for take-off clearance and departure heading. Tower will advise when to change to Chicago Departure control (the appropriate departure frequency will be issued by Chicago TRACON).

Lewis University (KLOT) Airport Diagram

LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT HELICOPTER PROCEDURES

Check current NOTAMs for updated information on Lewis University Airport.

Lewis University Airport has identified a helicopter landing area northeast of the main ramp, in the grass east of TWY C and south of TWY B. Helicopters operating within the Lewis Airport Class D must comply with normal ATC communication requirements. This may have a significant impact on helicopter operations should weather within the Lewis Airport Class D be IFR. Non-radar separation standards require a one in-one out protocol under IFR conditions with IFR aircraft given a higher priority over SVFR operations.

CAUTION – THERE ARE SEVERAL OBSTACLES WITHIN 4 MILES OF THE AIRPORT THAT EXCEED 250’ AGL, SOME AS HIGH AS 500’.

Helicopter operations between KLOT and the Chicagoland Speedway must follow the routing identified on the graphic depiction in this NOTAM.

WARNING - HELICOPTERS MUST NOT OPERATE IN THE VICINITY OF THE STATEVILLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER, LOCATED LESS THAN ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT.

Pilots must check NOTAMs daily for changes and TFR information.

Use extreme caution when landing or departing the helicopter landing area. There will be people loading and unloading in your landing area. The alleyway to the south of the helicopter landing area is the hot refueling area for quick turn fixed wing aircraft. If you need to hover while waiting for the landing area to clear, hover over the grass area bounded by TWY G, TWY B, TWY C and the Main Parking Area.

The traffic pattern for the helicopter landing area is:

1. Landing from the East/Southeast
2. Departing to the East
3. DO NOT land on or hover over the main terminal ramp

Helicopter Routes between Lewis University Airport and Chicagoland Speedway

DEPART LOT Outbound to Speedway-Fly East across the Des Plaines River to the Oil Storage Tanks (41°36'36"N / 88°02'56"W), fly South remaining East of the train tracks to the Railroad Yard (41°32'15"N / 88°03'30"W), continue South over Warehouse and Golf Course (41°29'55"N / 88°03'15"W), approach Speedway landing area from the North.

Use common reporting frequency of 123.025 over racetrack.

DEPART SPEEDWAY Inbound to LOT– Fly West approximately 1NM then Northwest toward Laraway Quarry (41°29'11"N / 88°05'31"W) remaining West of the quarry, fly North to the Des Plaines River & I-80 Bridge intersection (41°30'42"N / 88°05'29"W) from there fly the Des Plaines River Northbound (remain West of the tracks at all times) until North of the state prison (Stateville Correctional Center) then turn Northwest to the LOT landing area.