DuQuoin State Fairgrounds Racetrack

History

The DuQuoin State Fair was founded in 1923 by local businessman William R. "W.R." Hayes, who owned the fair and ran it. It did not become run by the state of Illinois as a true "state fair" until the 1980s; it is now officially called the Illinois State Fair in DuQuoin, as opposed to the longtime one at state capital Springfield. At the start Hayes had a half-mile harness-racing track on his 30-acre site, with wooden grandstands that seated 3000. In 1939 Hayes started buying adjoining strip-mined land to develop its potential as parkland, replanting it and turning the strip pits into family-friendly ponds and lakes. He eventually expanded his little fairgrounds into 1200 acres.

The DuQuoin "Magic Mile" racetrack was constructed on reclaimed strip-mined land in 1946 by W.R. Hayes. The track's first national championship race was held in September 1948. In the second race on October 10, popular AAA National driving champion Ted Horn was killed in the fourth turn when a spindle on his championship car broke. The national championship race for the USAC Silver Crown dirt cars is held in his honor.

In 1957 the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds became the third longtime home of the Hambletonian, America's premier harness racing event (established 1926). The grandstands and bleachers were expanded to seat 18,000. When the Hambletonian left DuQuoin after 1980 to be raced at the Meadowlands, the Fair became the home of the World Trotting Derby. This race was held from 1981 until it was discontinued after the 2009 race. Harness racing is still a fan-favorite at the fairgrounds, and admission is free.

Music concerts are also held at the track, especially during the state fair (in 2012 from August 25 through Labor Day, September 3). The stage is at center at the foot of the grandstand, backed up against the protective cyclone fence that shields the stands from the track.

Race winners

AAA/USAC Champ Car/Silver Crown race winners

All winners were USA American

ARCA Racing Series

Main article: Southern Illinois 100

Lap Records

References

References

1. Huff Sr., Fred. (2022-07-21). "The Du Quoin State Fair at 100 - The 1920s In the beginning, there was William R. Hayes".
2. (1948-10-11). "Ted Horn Killed at DuQuoin". The Courier-Journal.
3. Jeremiah, Tax. (1957-08-19). "THE 'HAMBO' HITS DU QUOIN".
4. [https://www.thexradio.com/news/sports/more-sports/16187-duquoin-state-fair-has-harness-racing-entertainment-scheduled-for-track/ DuQuoin State Fair Has Harness Racing, Entertainment Scheduled For Track, Last Updated on August 19, 2025 2:32 pm (thexradio.com)]
5. [https://dsf.illinois.gov/entertainment/harnessracing.html DuQuoin State Fair, Illinois.gov]
6. "FIELD OF 36 SET FOR SATURDAY’S TED HORN 100 AT Du QUOIN".
7. "Results - 2024 DuQuoin Mile".
8. "2018 ARCA Racing Series".
9. "1964 Du Quoin Indycars".