Canyon Speedway Park, Peoria

The smell of exhaust and hot rubber hangs in the air above Canyon Speedway Park, an olfactory cocktail accompanied by the sounds of screeching tires, roaring engines, and the cheers from a gallery that swells up to 2,000 strong. The 3/8-mile, dirt track churns as drivers drop lead feet on the accelerators of stock cars, ASCS wing sprint cars, and nine other classes of machines built for speed rather than maximal numbers of cup holders. Spectators watch from the stands as drivers compete for weekly prize purses of up to $7,250 with a repertoire of expert bump-drafts and jaw-dropping passes. In addition to scheduled races, the speedway also opens its gates during open practice sessions, letting fanatics study their favorite drivers' pinpoint turning technique in preparation for Bring Your Car to Work Day.