In a first, NASCAR street race will take place in downtown Chicago

The air is already filled with smoke and fireworks have been popping off for days, so when NASCAR stages the first street race in its 75-year history this weekend in downtown Chicago, it should fit right in. On Sunday, 37 drivers will race around the 2.2-mile track of city streets along Lake Michigan in hopes of wooing a new crop of racing fans.

It’s all a big test. Former mayor Lori Lightfoot signed a three-year deal with NASCAR last year hoping to beef up tourism in a downtown area hit hard by the shift to remote work. However, new mayor Brandon Johnson isn’t quite sold on revving engines and events featuring $63 six-packs of Busch Light, so how this weekend’s race plays out will likely determine the future of NASCAR’s partnership with the Windy City.

• NASCAR claims its race will bring in $113 million plus generate an additional $3 million in tax revenue for the city.
• But some residents say the deal only benefits wealthy visitors, since the event will clog up traffic and tickets range from $269 to over $3,000.

So far, the race is getting lapped: NASCAR is expecting 50,000 fans to attend its events each day of the weekend, but unlike when Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour made it impossible to book a room, hotels near the track aren’t even close to being filled up.