(Courtesy of NASCAR)
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Mayor Brandon Johnson waved the green flag after race officials agreed to “shorten the event’s set up and tear down windows, reducing travel disruption for impacted communities and other residents,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.

Workers start to tear down the NASCAR course and seating in downtown Chicago on July 3, 2023. (WTTW News)
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By comparison, Lollapalooza generated $422 million, according to a separate report.

Workers start to tear down the NASCAR course and seating in downtown Chicago on July 3, 2023. (WTTW News)
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“Like everything I inherited, I’m a teacher, I will assess and grade it," Mayor Brandon Johnson said, promising an “open process where other folks get a chance to weigh in.”

(WTTW News)

It’s almost go time for NASCAR in Chicago. The 12-turn, 2.2-mile street course will run on Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue and South Columbus Drive. People are feeling all sorts of emotions — from excitement to curiosity to concern.

(Courtesy of Andre Castro)

Andre Castro is making his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut this Saturday in Chicago. He’s used to street racing and skyline views, but stock cars will be a new one for him.

(Courtesy of NASCAR)
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Interim Chicago Police Supt. Fred Waller said additional patrols will be added downtown, on CTA trains and buses and near Navy Pier, which will host a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Saturday.

(Courtesy of NASCAR)
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City leaders and NASCAR officials said they were confident the race would avoid all of the possible potholes and showcase Chicago in all of its summertime glory for a national audience.

(Courtesy of NASCAR)
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City officials shared the latest plans for road closures, detours and alternate routes in advance of the upcoming NASCAR Street Race, and it’s going to be a bumpy ride for commuters.

(Courtesy of NASCAR)

Racing legends Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt Jr. took WTTW News correspondent Paris Schutz around the specially designed track that weaves in and out of Grant Park and provides some iconic views for spectators.

(NASCAR / Facebook)

NASCAR Cup cars will be outfitted with mufflers, just one of the actions being taken by race organizers to head off concerns about noise.

The Field Museum of Natural History. (Field Museum / Facebook)
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With a NASCAR street race set to take place outside their front doors, Chicago’s lakefront museums have had to shift gears and adjust operations in advance of the big event July 1-2.

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. (David Mark / Pixabay)

City and race officials on Monday detailed their traffic plans for the July 2 race, which will include a 12-turn, 2.2-mile track that will close off several streets around Grant Park from June 25 into mid-July.

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. (David Mark / Pixabay)

Grant Park could potentially be closed to the public for 40 days for July's NASCAR Chicago Street Race, including event setup and teardown. That's just one of many events blocking free access to the park this summer.

Taste of Chicago. (Courtesy City of Chicago)
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The Taste — started in 1980 — is set to take place in its traditional Grant Park home Sept. 8-10, one week after the Labor Day holiday weekend that traditionally marks the end of summer.

(NASCAR / Facebook)

The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett round out the music lineup for Chicago Street Race Weekend, July 1-2.

(WTTW News)

The downtown course will include famed areas of Chicago, including Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue and South Columbia Drive, where the start/finish line and pit road will be located directly in front of Buckingham Fountain.