Chicago Street Course Moves Closer to Reality for 2023

 

Downtown Chicago could play host to NASCAR's first street race (ChooseChicago.com)

The proposed NASCAR street race through downtown Chicago appears to have taken a major step closer to becoming a reality yesterday.

Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic is reporting that the publication has obtained a letter from Erin Harkey, commissioner, Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, City of Chicago, addressed to Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing development and strategy, endorsing a stock car event to be held in the city for a three-year stretch beginning in 2023.

“Chicago is incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as host of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Course events, and we stand ready to welcome NASCAR fans to our world class city,” the letter states. “This would be a historic partnership for NASCAR and the city of Chicago, and our department is committed to collaborating and supporting NASCAR to execute the events in a safe and secure manner.”

While no contract has been signed yet, an official announcement is expected to be made on July 19, sources have confirmed to The Athletic. There is also rampant speculation that this event could come at the expense of the race at Road America in northern Wisconsin, which would be surprising given that track's very successful two year run on the Cup Series schedule.

The Buckingham Fountain in downtown Chicago (Hotels.com)

“As Commissioner of the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), I am thrilled about the potential opportunity to host the NASCAR Street Course events here in Chicago,” Harkey writes. “DCASE is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy, and our strong partnership with the Chicago Sports Commission ensures that NASCAR fans would be treated to a diverse and unforgettable experience.”

NASCAR has never run an event on a temporary street course, but such a move would be consistent with the sanctioning body's recent attempts to create unique experiences in larger markets, while also adding diversity to a debatably stale schedule.

Recent changes have included moving the Busch Light Clash across the country from Daytona International Speedway to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, adding more road course events at tracks like Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas and Road America, and covering Bristol Motor Speedway in a layer of clay for a night race on dirt.

Another piece of this puzzle is NASCAR wanting to generate the same can't-miss party vibe that Formula 1 has made popular in the U.S., especially following this year's Miami Grand Prix. So, there is a real hope that this type of event would help NASCAR continue to ride the wave of success it has enjoyed during what has been a year of resurgence for a sport that has been somewhat stagnant for the last decade or so.