Not everyone is pleased.
As you ’ve likely heard by now , the inauguralNASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekendis about to take over downtown Chicago . Grant Park will be transform from July 1 to 2 into a giant airstream track for the NASCAR Xfinity Series ’ “ The Grant Park 220 ” and the NASCAR Cup Series ’ “ The Loop 121 . ” The initiatory case of NASCAR ’s new street race approach is part of a three - year deal for Chicago , in the piece of work since thesummer of 2021under former city manager Lori Lightfoot , so depending on how this weekend go , the excitement — or disruption , depending on your perspective — could be back before you know it .
Many Chicagoans , let in local alderpeople , are asking , why Chicago ? The simple answer is : change . It ’s NASCARS ’ 75th anniversary , and the organization wanted to keep by doing something refreshful . Ben Kennedy , senior VP of NASCAR and great - grandson of founding father Bill France , seems to be taking steps to touch a immature generation and coolheaded demographic , many of whom might be more concerned inFormula 1 racingat the moment . Recently there have been races at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum , and negotiation of more coming in space like the Pacific Northwest .
The subspecies impact the metropolis in many path , but foremost through street closures , which can be foundon the event websiteandthe prescribed app . There ’s a noteworthy deficiency of enthusiasm among certain someone , particularly those know or commute in the downtown sphere . “ The choppers are circle constantly , ” one South Loop occupier told Thrillist , referring to the ongoing disruptions make as coverage of the festival begin . Bus reroutes set about on June 26 , and commutes are already being impacted . “ My medical handling is downtown and my CTA itinerary is becoming inaccessible to me , ” said another resident . “ This affects passengers with handicap who do n’t have money for cab / rideshares in big ways . ”
NASCAR Race.|Grindstone Media Group/Shutterstock
The Chicago backwash are the first - ever street courses in the Cup Series . The cars will be weaving around a city well known for its dear of sports and beautiful landmarks — though not necessarily its love of NASCAR — creating a course of instruction that ’s a huge divergence from the famous oval . Over 50,000 people are expected to see each day and wreak with them a reported $ 113 million cost increase to the local saving and $ 3 million in revenue enhancement revenue .
But some residents are concerned about the true impact it ’s going to have on the metropolis : “ It ’s just such a thriftlessness of public resources . It ’s always ‘ We ’re try on to get tourist one dollar bill , ’ but the problem is there is nothing really set up near Millennium Park to contribute those dollars in , ” another resident physician tell Thrillist . They also added that there ’s concern among the city ’s Black and browned residents : “ Young smutty folk — who are already criminalize and heavily surveilled downtown — will be even more so with increased security measures and cop bearing for an event whose fandom is [ mostly ] blanched cis - straight male person . ”
The race is being placard as a fete , especially by track president Julie Giese , complete with performances both days by the likes of Miranda Lambert and The Chainsmokers . This all come with a muscular tag Leontyne Price , as the lowest for general entree clocks in at $ 279 . Alderman Derrick Curtis of the 18th Ward expressed concern that the price is out of reach for many Chicagoans who would want to attend the race . NASCAR ‘S answer is a destitute fan fest over at Navy Pier with photo Booth and immersive drive experiences , and more free activity over on Butler Field .
Courtesy of NASCAR
We wo n’t know how everything goes until the first bout around the trail , but this is emphatically fresh for the city — and with two more days of potential reclamation , it could become a staple of summer in Chicago .
