Chicago Auto Show 2014: Because Racecar

Photos by Janaki Jitchotvisut

This CJ Wilson Racing Mazda MX5 that runs in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge proves just how fun and capable a race-prepped Miata can be. Not surprising, considering how fun stock Miatas are. 

Matt Kenseth's #20 Dollar General Toyota Camry bolsters the Toyota booth.

Marco Andretti's ride for the 2014 IndyCar season, the #25 Snapple Honda, beams brightly from the Honda booth.

Tanner Foust and Scott Speed led a walk-around of the 2014 VARX GRC Beetle.

Mazda's slick new diesel-powered return to prototype racing is simply beautiful. Oh, and also fast.

While Corvette's return to the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January wasn't as great as they hoped, the Tudor United SportsCar Championship season is still very young. The next round is the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring on March 15th.

Corvette Racing's rich history encompasses both LeMans and American LeMans series trophies. Multiples. We'd brag about that, too.

Placing third at the 24 Hours of Daytona isn't winning, but it does mean this car is better than every other car in the GTLM class except for two. We love that SRT Racing brought this car to the show floor race-filthy -- as it should be.

Sebastian Vettel has now won four Formula One drivers championships in a row. When you're that good, you're forgiven your quirks -- such as a superstition about wearing any helmet he's won a race in twice. Some of his lids have been auctioned off for charity, but we're pretty sure that with as extensive a collection as he has by now, he wouldn't even miss these while they went on tour without him. Proper footwear and gloves also make the champion driver, as you can see.

We're sorry, but this steering wheel from the Infiniti Red Bull Racing RB9 beats that Mad Catz one your little brother has in the basement.

While it's true that a Renault engine powered the RB9 to absolute dominance of the 2013 Formula One Season, we're still beyond excited that Infiniti brought this RB9 to CAS 2014. Why? BECAUSE RACECAR.