Arts & Entertainment
NASCAR Chicago Street Race Will Not Return Next Year, Keeps Door Open for 2027
A still from a promotional video for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. (Courtesy of NASCAR)
Ready, set... pause.
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will not be held next year after race organizers were unable to come to an agreement with city officials in time, Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese announced in a letter Friday.
The racing company aims to bring the street race back to Chicago in 2027, according to Giese.
“Following the success of the first three years, the Chicago Street Race will hit pause in 2026 to afford us the time necessary to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago to explore a new potential date and to develop a plan that further optimizes operational efficiencies, with a goal to return to the streets of Chicago in 2027,” Giese wrote in an announcement to fans.
The announcement comes as NASCAR recently wrapped up its third year of hosting the street racing event in Chicago earlier this month. The Chicago Street Race, held in downtown, originally agreed with the city to a three-year contract, with the option of an extension. However, the future of the event remains murky.
Ald. Bill Conway, whose 34th Ward includes parts of downtown where the street race is held, described the lack of an agreement as “disappointing.”
Conway had previously raised issue with the race being held on the Fourth of July weekend after receiving feedback from residents over concerns of the street race cutting off park access during the holiday.
Conway said NASCAR has made “meaningful efforts” over the past several years to reduce disruptions for residents and businesses along the race route.
“It’s disappointing that negotiators haven’t been able to move this event off the July 4th weekend—especially given how NASCAR has provided Chicago the opportunity to shine on the world stage,” Conway said in a Friday statement. “I hope parties return to the table with a commitment to making this event work even better for Chicago, both logistically and financially.”
NASCAR and city officials this year reduced the number of days it took to setup and teardown the event. In 2023, the entire project took 43 days. The number of days were reduced down to 25 this year.
The 2024 race was estimated to have a $128.1 million economic impact on the city, according to a report from Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism agency.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
