Curtis Francois is the owner and CEO of World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), a motorsports facility in Madison, Illinois, just outside St. Louis. He’s known for something rare in sports business: he didn’t just buy a successful venue, he saved one from the scrapyard.
In 2011, the track then known as Gateway International Raceway sat closed, its grandstands scheduled for demolition. Francois, a lifelong St. Louisan with a background in real estate and a personal history as a racer, purchased it and rebuilt it from the ground up.
Today, WWTR is the only facility in North America that hosts top-tier events from NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA in the same year. That distinction, along with a growing list of community and business honours, has made Francois one of the more recognised figures in American motorsports ownership.
Quick Facts About Curtis Francois
- Full Name: Curtis Francois
- Profession: Real estate developer, motorsports executive, former race car driver
- Nationality: American
- Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
- Current Position: Owner and CEO, World Wide Technology Raceway
- Industry: Motorsports, real estate, entertainment
- Known For: Reviving Gateway Motorsports Park and building it into World Wide Technology Raceway
- Years Active: Racing career began in 1988; ownership of the raceway since 2011
Early Life and Passion for Motorsports
Francois grew up in St. Louis, and his connection to racing started young. His father brought him to St. Louis International Raceway Park, a drag strip built in 1967, and that early exposure to fast cars stuck with him.
By 1988, Francois had moved from spectator to competitor, racing sports cars on the venue’s road course. Over the following years, he competed across several series, including IMSA, USF2000, Indy Lights, and GrandAm, along with a short stint in NASCAR’s Goody’s Dash Series. His best-known race result came in 2002, when he made his only Indy Lights start at the very track he would later own, starting third and finishing fifth.
Alongside racing, Francois built a career in real estate development in St. Louis. That combination, a competitor’s understanding of racing and a developer’s understanding of property and construction, later became the exact skill set the closed speedway needed.
Career Journey
Early Business Career
Before he owned a racetrack, Francois was already established as a real estate developer in the St. Louis area. This work gave him experience in property acquisition, renovation, and long-term project management, skills that turned out to be directly useful later.
Entering the Racing Industry
Francois entered the sport first as a competitor, racing at what was then Gateway International Raceway starting in the late 1980s. His time behind the wheel gave him firsthand knowledge of what drivers and race fans actually want from a facility, insight that most track owners never have.
Becoming a Motorsports Entrepreneur
When Gateway closed in 2010 after Dover Motorsports shut it down, Francois saw an opportunity that fit both halves of his background. He wasn’t buying into racing as an outsider; he was stepping in as someone who had raced there himself and understood real estate redevelopment.
Major Career Milestones
The key milestones in Francois’ career line up closely with the track’s own history: the 2011 purchase, the 2012 reopening with NHRA, the return of NASCAR in 2014, the 2018 rebrand as World Wide Technology Raceway, and the arrival of the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022.
How Curtis Francois Saved Gateway Raceway
The Challenges Facing the Raceway
By 2010, the track, then owned by Dover Motorsports, was losing money and facing mounting financial pressure. Dover closed the facility that November, and the grandstands were slated to be dismantled and sold for scrap. Without intervention, the site would have disappeared from the region’s sports landscape entirely.
Purchasing the Facility
Francois announced his purchase on September 8, 2011, just before the grandstands would have been torn down. He finalised the deal and, on May 1, 2013, completed the purchase that made the facility fully locally owned and operated.
His Vision for Revival
Francois didn’t plan to run a scaled-back version of the old track. He renamed it Gateway Motorsports Park and set out to rebuild its racing calendar from scratch, starting with a long-term relationship with NHRA that he says was sealed on a handshake.
Initial Improvements
The reopening in March 2012 came alongside a renovation effort that one industry source put at $11.5 million. Francois has described the early condition of the site bluntly, recalling weeds six to eight feet tall across the property before work began.
Transforming World Wide Technology Raceway
Expansion of the Property
Under Francois, the facility grew well beyond a single track. Today it covers more than 700 acres, making it the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the St. Louis region.
Modern Facility Upgrades
The property now includes a quarter-mile drag strip, a 1.25-mile superspeedway oval, and a 2.0-mile road course, along with supporting infrastructure built out over more than a decade of investment.
Bringing Back NASCAR
NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series returned to the track for the 2014 season, an early sign that the reopened facility could compete for national racing dates again.
Strengthening INDYCAR Events
The track’s INDYCAR event, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, has become one of the marquee races on its calendar. Josef Newgarden of Team Penske won the 2024 edition, finishing ahead of Scott McLaughlin and Linus Lundqvist.
Growth of NHRA Racing
The NHRA Midwest Nationals has run at the track since the 2012 reopening under a 20-year agreement Francois struck with the organisation. The event has grown into a consistent sellout on race Saturdays.
New Fan Experiences
Beyond racing, the facility has hosted non-motorsports events, including Tough Mudder obstacle course races, reflecting Francois’ stated goal of making the venue a broader entertainment destination rather than a racing-only facility.
Premium Seating and Hospitality
As WWTR has added national-level events, it has built out hospitality offerings to match, part of the broader push to make the venue competitive with other major American speedways for sponsor and fan experience.
Future Development Plans
Francois has spoken publicly about continuing to expand what the facility offers outside of racing, aiming to grow its identity as a year-round entertainment venue for the region rather than a track that’s only active on race weekends.
Partnerships That Helped Shape Success
World Wide Technology
The track’s current name comes from its naming-rights partnership with World Wide Technology, the St. Louis-based tech company. The 2018 rebrand marked a turning point in the facility’s visibility and resources.
David Steward’s Support
David L. Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, has been a close partner and, according to Francois, a personal friend since they met. Steward’s son, David Steward II, shares the family’s passion for racing as well.
NASCAR Partnership
The relationship with NASCAR deepened over time, from the return of the Truck Series in 2014 to the arrival of the Cup Series in 2022, making WWTR one of the sport’s most notable venue turnarounds in recent memory.
INDYCAR Collaboration
INDYCAR’s continued presence, anchored by the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, has helped position the track as a serious open-wheel racing destination in the Midwest.
NHRA Events
The long-term NHRA agreement, still in place from the original 2012 handshake deal, remains one of the foundational partnerships behind the track’s recovery.
Corporate Sponsorships
Corporate backing, from World Wide Technology’s naming rights to sponsorships tied to individual events like the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, has helped fund the ongoing upgrades to the property.
Leadership Style and Vision
Innovation in Motorsports
Francois has approached WWTR less like a traditional track owner and more like someone building a diversified entertainment company, adding events and facilities that reach beyond racing fans alone.
Focus on Fan Experience
His public comments consistently return to the idea of building a loyal fan community, describing WWTR’s supporters as among the best in sports.
Community-Centered Leadership
Community programs aren’t a side project for Francois; they run through the Raceway Gives Foundation, which he has tied directly to the track’s identity.
Long-Term Growth Strategy
From the 20-year NHRA deal to the multi-year buildout of the property, Francois’ approach has leaned toward long-term commitments rather than short-term wins, a pattern visible across nearly every major decision at the track.
Community Involvement
Raceway Gives Foundation
Raceway Gives is WWTR’s philanthropic arm, created to support STEM education, diversity in motorsports, and community development in the Metro East region surrounding the track.
STEM Education Programs
The foundation has focused on building a larger STEM footprint among youth in the surrounding communities, using motorsports and technology as an entry point.
Racing in the Classroom
Through a partnership with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Centre, the foundation runs “Racing in the Classroom,” a program introducing motorsports education and career pathways to local youth ages 8 to 18. WWTR has also donated sim-racing computers and rigs to the centre.
Military Family Support
The Raceway Gives Foundation extends its mission to military families in the St. Louis area, offering career opportunities, community engagement, and educational experiences.
Youth Development
Programs run through the foundation specifically target underserved Black and brown students in economically challenged communities near the raceway, according to reporting from the St. Louis American.
Charitable Initiatives
Comcast’s 2021 award to Francois came with a $60,000 contribution to the Raceway Gives Foundation, directly funding its community work.
Awards and Recognition
Comcast Community Champion of the Year
Francois received this national award in 2021 for his work with the Raceway Gives Foundation.
Innovator Award
In 2018, Francois received the Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (Explore St. Louis) for restoring the raceway to prominence.
Spirit of St. Louis Award
Public information didn’t confirm a specific “Spirit of St. Louis” award tied to Francois; readers should verify this against current WWTR or St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame sources before publishing it as fact.
Outstanding Facility of the Year
No verifiable public source confirmed this specific award title for Francois or WWTR at the time of research.
Hospitality and Tourism Awards
Beyond the Innovator Award from Explore St. Louis, no additional hospitality-specific awards were confirmed in available sources.
Other Honors
Confirmed honours include the 2021 Missouri Athletic Club Jack Buck Award, the 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award, and induction into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame on September 14, 2023.
Economic Impact on the St. Louis Region
Tourism Growth
By hosting national NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA events, WWTR draws visitors from across the country to the Metro East area, an outcome consistent with what major single-day sporting events typically bring to host regions. Specific visitor or spending figures for WWTR weren’t available in public sources reviewed for this article.
Job Creation
Running a 700-acre, multi-series racing facility year-round requires ongoing staffing, though specific employment numbers weren’t publicly disclosed.
Community Investment
Between the original $11.5 million renovation and continued facility upgrades over more than a decade, Francois has directed substantial capital back into the property and, by extension, the surrounding area.
Major Sporting Events
Landing the NASCAR Cup Series race in June 2022 marked the biggest single event in the track’s modern history, cementing WWTR’s status as the only U.S. venue hosting top-tier NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA racing in one year.
Business Philosophy
Leadership Principles
Francois has described his approach as rooted in persistence: rebuilding the facility from an overgrown, closed site required, in his words, starting from scratch and working through it piece by piece.
Innovation and Growth
Rather than restoring the track to its old form, Francois expanded it, adding a karting facility, an off-road venue, and eventually a Cup Series date, none of which the original speedway had.
Customer Experience
His comments about fans consistently frame the raceway as a community hub first and a racing facility second, a framing that shows up in the range of non-racing events now held there.
Building Long-Term Partnerships
The pattern across NHRA, World Wide Technology, and NASCAR is the same: Francois favours multi-year commitments over one-off deals, which has given the track stability as it rebuilt its reputation.
Personal Life
Family
Public reporting doesn’t provide detailed information about Francois’ immediate family. As of his 2023 St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame induction, he was reported to be 59 years old.
Interests
Francois’ clearest personal interest, beyond real estate and business, is racing itself. He competed as a driver for more than a decade before becoming a track owner.
Philanthropy
His philanthropic focus runs almost entirely through the Raceway Gives Foundation, which he has closely tied to STEM education, diversity in motorsports, and support for military families.
Public Image
Curtis Francois keeps most of his personal life private. Public information focuses almost exclusively on his professional career and community work rather than his life outside the raceway.
Interesting Facts About Curtis Francois
- His only Indy Lights start, in 2002, came at the very track he now owns. He started third and finished fifth.
- He raced at the venue from 1988 into the early 2000s before ever becoming its owner.
- He closed the original NHRA deal on a handshake, a detail he’s mentioned publicly as central to the track’s 2012 relaunch.
- WWTR is the only track in the country to host top-series NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA events in a single year.
- The property has grown to more than 700 acres, making it the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the St. Louis region.
Legacy in Motorsports
Reviving a Historic Raceway
Francois’ clearest legacy is preventing a historic drag strip and speedway, dating back to 1967, from being demolished and scrapped.
Impact on Racing in St. Louis
By rebuilding relationships with NHRA, NASCAR, and INDYCAR, Francois restored St. Louis’ place on the national motorsports calendar after the track had gone dark.
Influence on Future Motorsports Development
His approach, buying a closed venue and rebuilding it into a multi-series, community-focused facility, offers a working model for other regional tracks facing similar financial pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Curtis Francois?
Curtis Francois is a St. Louis real estate developer and former race car driver who owns and runs World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.
What is Curtis Francois known for?
He’s best known for buying a closed, nearly demolished speedway in 2011 and rebuilding it into World Wide Technology Raceway, now home to NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA events.
Does Curtis Francois own World Wide Technology Raceway?
Yes. He purchased the facility in 2011 and finalised full local ownership in 2013. He currently serves as its owner and CEO.
How did Curtis Francois revive Gateway Raceway?
He reopened it in 2012 under a new name, struck a long-term deal with NHRA, invested millions in renovations, and gradually brought back NASCAR and INDYCAR events over the following decade.
What awards has Curtis Francois received?
Confirmed honours include the 2018 Innovator Award, the 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award, the 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award, the 2021 Jack Buck Award, and the 2023 induction into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.
What is the Raceway Gives Foundation?
It’s WWTR’s philanthropic arm, focused on STEM education, diversity in motorsports, and support for military families in the St. Louis and Metro East region.
What leadership style is Curtis Francois known for?
He’s associated with long-term, relationship-driven decision-making, favouring multi-year partnerships and steady reinvestment over quick fixes.
What major racing events are hosted at World Wide Technology Raceway?
The track hosts NASCAR Cup and Truck Series races, the INDYCAR Bommarito Automotive Group 500, and the NHRA Midwest Nationals.
How has Curtis Francois impacted the St. Louis community?
Beyond the raceway itself, his Raceway Gives Foundation supports local STEM programs, youth development, and military families in the surrounding communities.
What are Curtis Francois’ plans for World Wide Technology Raceway?
He’s spoken about continuing to expand the venue’s identity as a broader entertainment destination, not just a racing facility, though specific future projects haven’t been publicly detailed in full.
Conclusion
Curtis Francois’ path from amateur racer to real estate developer to raceway owner isn’t a typical sports business story. He didn’t inherit a thriving venue or buy into an already-successful brand. He stepped in when a historic St. Louis speedway was days away from being torn apart for scrap and rebuilt it into a facility that now hosts the top series from NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA in the same year, something no other U.S. track can claim.
Along the way, he’s tied the raceway’s growth to the community around it, funding STEM programs, youth development, and support for military families through the Raceway Gives Foundation. Whatever comes next for World Wide Technology Raceway, Francois has already secured its place as one of the more notable comeback stories in American motorsports.
