In a first, NASCAR street race will take place in downtown Chicago
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.
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• less than 3 min read
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.
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