NASCAR
Sports, news and entertainment coverage on the NASCAR Chicago Street Race and how its presence downtown affects the city and its residents.
Reports show that the Grant Park event has made gradual improvements in attracting more women, younger people and more ethnically diverse fans.
With three victories at the Chicago Street Race, he has become a city staple.
“It stinks more for the people coming out to watch,” Ryan Blaney said. “I feel bad for the spectators that want to come out to the race with their whole families because it’s a huge weekend and, you know, it’s a special, unique race in Chicago.”
After two years of record rain, canceled concerts, shortened races and necessary decreases in ticket prices, a breakup might be the way to go.
The third and final race weekend of NASCAR’s three-year deal with the city brought fans from throughout the country, with first-time race attendees and seasoned fans flooding through the gates.
“There’s no other circuit that’s going to have [the] backdrop of the city,” Gordon said. “For our partners, how they entertain and how they bring customers to the event is different, and you can’t duplicate that anywhere else.”
The fest had all the hallmarks of a block party: a food-truck festival that featured a variety of local businesses such as Harold’s and a taco stand.
Some welcome the street race, but others say disruptive road closures and noise drive customers away.
Letarte thinks Shane van Gisbergen, who won the inaugural Chicago race in 2023, is the favorite. He also won on the Mexico City road course three weeks ago.
TNT takes over for NBC, which aired the race the last two years. Before debuting last week in Atlanta, TNT hadn’t carried a NASCAR race since 2014.
“It’s bringing racing to the people, right?” Legge said. “They can literally watch the car go by their faces, so it’s a whole different animal. You have to be precise. You’ve got concrete walls.The atmosphere is the most unique thing about street-course racing.”
Whether you are a fan trying to get to this weekend’s races or a commuter hoping to avoid them, here’s your guide to the road closures and CTA bus reroutes, and how to take advantage of extra Metra train service.
“Getting back to victory lane was special for me,” Bowman told the Sun-Times. “But honestly, just the atmosphere of the whole event has been my favorite part of it.”
“Chicago is one of the best sports towns in the world, and NASCAR is proud to be a part of that historic Chicago sports culture,” NASCAR Chicago Street Race president Julie Giese said in a statement. “Derrick is one of the most beloved sports icons in the city’s history, and we look forward to having him get NASCAR’s only street race underway.”
NASCAR returns to town this weekend for the third — and perhaps final — Chicago Street Race. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to go or just watching from home.
“This is a city that knows how to put on big events,” NASCAR Chicago Street Race president Julie Giese said. “We’ve enjoyed, and continue to enjoy that relationship we have with the entire city.”
The funds likely were unfrozen out of fear of retaliation after President Donald Trump authorized a military attack to damage Iran’s heavily fortified underground nuclear targets.
Columbus and Balbo drives closed Wednesday night, several days before schedule, so crews could repair the pavement.
Balbo Drive is the first street that will be shut down, starting Thursday morning, from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Bet on it: Over more than 13 hours at two sportsbooks, Rob Miech watched the Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600.