Arts & Entertainment
NASCAR Puts Pedal to the Metal, Announcing Fastest Setup and Teardown Plan to Date for Chicago Street Race
Crews prepare to clean up the site of Chicago’s NASCAR race weekend on July 8, 2024. (WTTW News)
NASCAR officials have announced their traffic plan for the Chicago Street Race course, and, not surprisingly for a sport that emphasizes speed, setup and teardown will take fewer days than in 2024.
The process — start to finish — has been nearly halved since the inaugural race in 2023, when the entire project took 43 days in and around Grant Park. In 2025, the number of days has been trimmed to 25.
“The city of Chicago has been working with NASCAR in the planning and execution of the 2025 race to further minimize the impact to residents and visitors,” Frank Velez, acting executive director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, said in a statement.
Among the efficiencies: Consolidation of premium hospitality areas and the adjustment of load-in/load-out locations.
Changes were designed to keep Grant Park open to the public to the greatest extent possible and to reduce street closures and parking restrictions in areas surrounding the course.
Pre-race activity won’t start until June 16, with race weekend set for July 5-6.
To date, the Chicago Street Race has been a mixed bag for both NASCAR and the city.
In its first two years combined, the race pumped nearly $250 million into Chicago’s economy, according to a report released by the city’s tourism agency, and the unique street course design led to some thrilling auto racing. But torrential downpours also put a damper on the event in both 2023 and 2024, and perhaps affected attendance.
Organizers appear to have taken complaints about traffic impacts, high ticket prices and lack of park access into account for 2025. NASCAR will host free activities in Butler Field during race week, and the Chicago Park District is emphasizing that attractions including the Museum Campus, Maggie Daley Park and half of Grant Park will remain open throughout the event.
NASCAR will host a community engagement meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m. to share more information about the upcoming race.
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]
