Maywood Park Racetrack was a half-mile harness racing track located in Maywood, Illinois. The venue staged harness racing for much of the calendar year, with only brief seasonal interruptions in its schedule. Positioned approximately 10 miles south of O'Hare International Airport and about 17 miles from downtown Chicago's Loop, the track served as a convenient destination for racing fans throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Maywood Park opened in 1946 and quickly became one of Illinois' prominent standardbred venues. Known for its competitive overnight races and stakes events, the track attracted many of the sport's top drivers and trainers over the decades. Its half-mile oval often produced thrilling, speed-driven contests that demanded both tactical precision and strong gate speed. For generations, Maywood Park was part of the backbone of Chicago-area harness racing, operating alongside other notable Illinois tracks and contributing to the state's rich standardbred heritage.

The racetrack experienced both prosperous periods and industry-wide challenges, particularly as competition from casinos and changing gaming laws began affecting pari-mutuel wagering. Despite modernization efforts and a loyal fan base, economic pressures mounted in the 21st century.

Maywood Park conducted its final night of live harness racing on January 8, 2015. The closure followed a decision by track ownership to cease racing operations amid declining revenues and shifting priorities within Illinois' racing and gaming landscape. After nearly seven decades of operation, the shutdown marked the end of an era for one of the Chicago area's longstanding harness racing institutions.

Interesting Track Facts about Maywood Park:

• Track Shape : Oval
• Track Length : Half-mile
• Width of Stretches : 77 feet
• Homestretch Length : 594 feet
• Speed Rating : v2:003
• Standing Start Positions : 8
• Track Seating Capacity : 13,900
• Clubhouse Seating Capacity : 6,000
• Grandstand Seating Cap : 2,900
• Grandstand Total Capacity : 10,847
• Racing Types : Harness
• Track Opened : 1946

Harness Racing Stakes at Maywood Park

Maywood Park regularly played host to special harness racing stakes and series that carried significance throughout the county, the state of Illinois, and the broader Midwest region. Among the more prominent events that were held at Maywood Park were:

• Taurus Bomber Stake
• Direct Balance Stake
• Spring Championship
• Cook County Pace
• ISOBA Stake
• Fox Valley Redhot Series Final
• Pacific Series Final
• Big Dog Final
• Newcomers Series Final