These are stock cars, not sports cars, but NASCAR is confident that if IMSA’s prototypes can handle the streets of Long Beach, Calif., during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, then the Mustangs, Camaros and Camrys can find a way through the streets of Chicago.
The setting for NASCAR’s biggest swing, is the most picturesque area of this stunning city. It’s Grant Park, which is commonly referred to as “Chicago’s Front Yard.”
The public park is in Chicago’s central business district in The Loop neighborhood. Grant Park’s most notable features include Maggie Daley Park and Buckingham Fountain, along with the Art Institute of Chicago and its campus.
The park hosts some of the city’s largest food and music festivals, including The Taste of Chicago and The Grant Park Music Festivals. Grant Park also is the site of the start and finish lines for the Chicago Marathon.
Even the Chicago White Sox are supporting the race by joining forces with Spire Motorsports to sponsor the No. 77 Chevrolet Cup Series car that will be driven by Ty Dillon.
The partnership will showcase White Sox branding on both the car’s custom design and Dillon’s uniform. As part of the agreement, Dillon’s White Sox-themed No. 77 Chevy will be on display at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 23-24.
The White Sox are set to hold their first NASCAR Night, presented by Xfinity, on June 23.
The Chicago Street Race, however, has had to deal with many major obstacles, most notably Chicago’s unique brand of bare-knuckle politics.
The deal between NASCAR and the city was originally struck during Lori Lightfoot’s tumultuous term as mayor.
Lightfoot was so combative to members of the Chicago City Council and to practically anyone who opposed her, that she was ousted from her position when she received just 17 percent of the vote in Chicago’s Democratic Primary a few months ago.
Lightfoot was voted out and Brandon Johnson defeated fellow democrat Paul Vallas during the general election in April. The 47-year-old Johnson is considered highly progressive and doesn’t like the idea of shutting down the city’s greatest park the weekend prior to July 4.
Mayor Johnson has indicated all contracts with the city of Chicago will be reviewed. NASCAR’s contract to stage the race is with the Chicago Park District for three years.
NASCAR is reportedly paying a very low permit feet as part of a three-year agreement with the city. Also, the city of Chicago will only receive $2 per ticket sold and NASCAR is required to provide a $50,000 security deposit for any damage to Grant Park.
Major pushback has come from residents and civic groups because it will impact traffic in that area including Lake Shore Drive, one of the main thoroughfares in the city.
Also, many of the city’s museums such as the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarian, Field Museum of Natural History and the Art Institute are nearby.
The chance to visit those destinations will be greatly impacted by the footprint of the race course, grandstands and paddock.
As for the race, tickets include two-day access to Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series races and full-length concerts by major acts — The Chainsmokers, Miranda Lambert, The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett.
NASCAR is attempting to stage a “big event” as much as an historic race, and that is one reason why seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will make one of his few NASCAR Cup starts this season as the owner/driver at Legacy Motor Club.
“As soon as they announced NASCAR would host a street course, I immediately was interested in running it,” said Johnson. “From my last two years in IndyCar — the experience of a street course is like no other — it’s such a good vibe. There is just something about driving a race car through the city street that many of these drivers have never experienced. The excitement — the views — the festival-like atmosphere — Fourth of July — the entertainment lineup – it’s a big party.
“The Next Gen car is going to put on a really great show for the fans due to its driving style — and these races get to get pretty wild so it’s going to be something NASCAR fans have really never seen. Carvana is on board with me in the No. 84 Chevy — there is so much to look forward to, I really can’t wait.”
Mayor Johnson has indicated the Chicago Street Race will be evaluated after this year. His predecessor, Lightfoot, envisioned the Chicago Street Race to expose inner-city neighborhoods to the sport of NASCAR, using Bubba Wallace in much of the event’s promotion.
Wallace’s sponsor is McDonalds, which has its headquarters in the nearby West Loop area of the city.
By combining one of Chicago’s most famous international companies with a driver who can appeal to thousands of fans who likely had little to no interest in NASCAR, the Chicago Street Race is an opportunity for NASCAR to diversify.
It’s another example of NASCAR swinging for the fences, but can the ball sail over the outstretched glove of Chicago politics?
This story appeared in the June 21, 2023 edition of the SPEED SPORT Insider.
