Geoff Bodine coming to Race Fan Rally in Joliet

Racing legend Geoff Bodine will come to Race Fan Rally in June.

Organizers have announced plans for the annual street festival that precedes NASCAR weekend. Race Fan Rally will be June 26 in downtown Joliet.

Bodine will be the featured driver at the rally, making himself available for autographs, photos and question-and-answer sessions.

“If you’re a race fan, you definitely know Geoff Bodine,” said Lauren Las, marketing and event manager for the City Center Partnership.

NASCAR has named Bodine to its 50 Greatest Drivers list and placed him fifth on its Modified All-Time Top 10 Drivers ranking. He retired in 2012 after a career that included being named the 1982 Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year and winning the Daytona 500 in 1986.

Las said Bodine will be at the rally throughout the night. The City Center Partnership is working on a VIP meet-and-greet session in which fans would be able to meet with Bodine personally, Las said.

Race Fan Rally will be from 5 to 10 p.m.

The event also will feature live music from the bands Strung Out and SEMPLE, which features lead singer Keith Semple.

There will be food, beverages and activities, including a racing simulator, inflatables, show and classic cars and raffles.

Race Fan Rally precedes the NASCAR races at Chicagoland Speedway, which will be June 27 to 30.

The rally is organized by the Joliet City Center Partnership. Hawk Chevrolet-Cadillac is sponsoring the event.