Downers Grove resident Larry Colletti (at left) climbs into a car during the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Chicago resident Myles Bosack (at left) climbs into a car during the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Cars make their way down pit lane during the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Christian Selent (left), operations manager, talks about technological innovations in racing during the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Christian Selent (center), operations manager, talks about technological innovations in racing during the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Downers Grove resident Randy Stella (right) smiles while waiting for his turn during the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Highland Park resident Tim Garcia puts on his driver suit during the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
People wait their turn during the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
JOLIET — The NASCAR racer thunders out of the pit and begins a 165 mph whirlwind run, ascending to the top of the turn near the skyline terrace at Chicagoland Speedway. Rocketing high up on the slope, the car tilts sideways at an 18-degree angle. …
