NASCAR Halts Chicago Street Race: What’s Next?
The excitement of NASCAR in Chicago will take a break. The competition, which took place on a street circuit in the city center for the last three years, has decided to take a pause. This decision responds to several questions about the schedule for next season. The race, which was held on the first weekend of July, had a three-year contract with the city. Now, the future of the event is in an exploration phase.In a letter addressed to Mayor Brandon Johnson, race president Julie Giese explained that the possibility of a new weekend of events is being evaluated, in collaboration with the mayor’s office and community leaders. Work is also underway to optimize the construction and dismantling of the circuit. Giese assured that NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race office will continue to operate and community partnerships will be maintained. NASCAR will replace the stop in Chicago with a street race in San Diego. The racing weekend in Chicago included Xfinity and Cup Series competitions on a 2.2-mile, 12-turn circuit, with views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park. In addition, a festive atmosphere with music and entertainment was offered. The goal was to attract both a new audience in one of NASCAR’s most important regions and the most passionate fans. The race used to be held at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, but it was retired after the 2019 season. The decision to hold the race in the city center was not entirely popular. Local businesses and residents were affected by the street closures in an area with a lot of tourist traffic in summer. However, the organizers reduced the construction time from 43 days in 2023 to 25 this year, which gained the support of some critics. Pilots and their teams expressed some concerns about the circuit before the first weekend. But the configuration was widely praised in the third year, both the circuit and the ease of walking from their downtown hotels. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson called Chicago “probably my favorite NASCAR event each year.” Shane van Gisbergen has dominated racing in downtown Chicago, winning both the Xfinity and Cup races this year from the pole. He also won in Chicago in his Cup debut in 2023 and last year’s Xfinity Series race. “I love the track,” he said after this year’s Cup victory. “It’s a great place to come. You feel a nice atmosphere. You feel a good vibe in the mornings walking to the track with the fans. It’s quite unique like that.”Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that improves the experience for both residents and visitors, as we work together to establish a new potential date, a shorter construction timeline, and additional tourist attractions.
Julie Giese, Race President
