Belleville, Ill. (July 2, 2026) — 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.”…