Paddock leaving Chicagoland Speedway

Chicagoland Speedway President Scott Paddock is leaving the Joliet race track.

Paddock's departure comes at a time when racing at the track has been canceled for 2021 because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of Chicagoland Speedway is uncertain.

In a letter to Joliet city officials informing them of his departure, however, Paddock said speedway staff will continue to work with NASCAR and other racing organizations "on potential future opportunities beyond 2021."

Paddock has been track president since 2011.

"I also want to encourage you to continue to support this facility and its staff in future endeavors," he added in the letter.

Paddock was not available for comment on Wednesday.

His letter to city officials noted the "difficult decision" to cancel racing at both the NASCAR track and its Route 66 Raceway next year.

"As a result of these changes, l will be departing NASCAR at the end of this month to pursue new career opportunities," Paddock wrote. "A staff will remain in place to continue to operate the facility as an integral part of the local community under the leadership of Pat Warren, who leads NASCAR's Midwest Region as president of Kansas Speedway."

Paddock in addition to heading Chicagoland Speedway has taken on community leadership roles.

He currently is a member of the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors. Paddock is past chairman of the board at the Will County Center for Economic Development and remains on the executive board. He chaired the board of directors at Silver Cross Hospital in 2019.