Racing, Music and AR: NASCAR kicks off inaugural Cup weekend with Confluence Music Festival
A super-charged, activity-filled race experience is set for the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR race weekend, which will debut three days of live music at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, starting Friday and going through Sunday.
“We promised our fans a world-class event, and this festival will deliver on a whole new level,” said Curtis Francois, owner and CEO of World Wide Technology Raceway. “Collectively, with our incredible partner, World Wide Technology, we have developed a phenomenal lineup of entertainment and engagement opportunities that show the world how excited the St. Louis region is about hosting this race.”
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Taking place across five stages, Confluence Festival features a line-up of 30-plus local, regional and national artists, ranging from rap to country. This first-ever festival includes performances by St. Louis native and multi-Grammy award-winning rap artist, Nelly, along with Academy of Country Music award-winning contemporary country band, Old Dominion.
Other performances throughout the weekend include A.C.M. award-winning singer-songwriter Cole Swindell, Country Music Association award-winning artist Jimmie Allen and fresh artist Kameron Marlowe, as well as St. Louis alternative-rock band The Steve Ewing Band, among many others.
Fan can also take part in STEM‑through‑motorsports activities, including World Wide Technology‘s exhilarating RaceAR. An augmented reality race simulation that will be unveiled on the Midway. Other engagements include hands-on technology and innovative experiences run by community youth programs and a live esports tournament preceding the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday.
Fans can kick off their four-day race weekend on Thursday with a NASCAR hauler parade throughout downtown St. Louis and end their day with musical performances live at Ballpark Village Fan Fest from 4-8 p.m. CT.
An official festival schedule has not yet been released with dates and times, however special performances include The Muny, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Jazz St. Louis and The Sheldon.
“St. Louis is making history with the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series race weekend,” said David L. Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, “a spectacular, must-see four-day celebration for our region,”
