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A still from a promotional video for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. (Courtesy of NASCAR)

The race, which transformed the streets of downtown into a 2.2-mile street course, is already set to make its return to Chicago next summer.

A still from a promotional video for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. (Courtesy of NASCAR)

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will return to the city next summer for the third year in a row. The Chicago Street Race Weekend will take place July 5-6, 2025.

Crews prepare to clean up the site of Chicago’s NASCAR race weekend on July 8, 2024. (WTTW News)
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The Grant Park Advisory Council voiced concerns to the Chicago Park District and the city regarding NASCAR’s contributions.

Crews inspect race cars on DuSable Lake Shore Drive following NASCAR’s Xfinity Series Loop 110 on July 6, 2024. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

After another shortened race weekend that was by turns thrilling and soggy, NASCAR is packing up its Chicago street course and heading out of town.

CJ Tobin, senior engineer of vehicle systems, cleans a prototype of the first electric racecar at the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, N.C., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Nell Redmond / AP Photo)
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NASCAR unveiled its first electric racecar Saturday in downtown Chicago, but it doesn’t thunder when the grand marshal says “drivers, start your engines.” It hums.

A still from a promotional video for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. (Courtesy of NASCAR)

Don’t know a “spoiler” from a “splitter”? We’re here for you with a beginner’s guide to stock-car racing and what to look for during Saturday and Sunday’s events.

Sue the T. Rex at Chicago’s Field Museum. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

A long holiday weekend is a great opportunity for Chicagoans to play tourist in their hometown, but with the NASCAR Street Race set to circle Grant Park July 6-7, what’s even open to visit?

Brad Keselowski previews the Chicago NASCAR track on June 27, 2024. (Credit: NASCAR)

The 2012 Cup Series champion and Roush-Fenway-Keselowski team co-owner talks street racing, skyline views and his love for the city.

Buddy Guy has been added to the music lineup for NASCAR's Chicago Street Race weekend. (Casey Mitchell)

Guy joins a previously announced list music lineup for NASCAR weekend, which includes the Black Keys and Keith Urban.

A still from a promotional video for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. (Courtesy of NASCAR)

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will take place July 6-7. Setting up and tearing down for the race is expected to take 19 days.

(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.