Chicago Street Race may have just held its last NASCAR event
The Chicago Street Race has been a celebrated addition over the last three years, but the 2025 race - won by Shane van Gisbergen - could be its final staging.
Chicago may have held its final street race despite the success of the Grant Park 165.
On Sunday, Shane van Gisbergen dominated once again to win his second Chicago Street Race in three years, just 24 hours after doing so in the Xfinity Series. He took advantage of many drivers' days ending after an early wreck, showcasing his premier street racing ability and seemingly securing a spot in the playoffs.
It was a day filled with drama; in the hours leading up to the Grant Park 165, NASCAR released a statement that 10 cars - including Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin - would have been sent to the rear of the starting grid for various infractions. Later, Michael McDowell won Stage 1 after he decided to stay out while the rest of the field pitted, and Ryan Blaney won Stage 2 just hours after his wife announced that the couple would welcome a baby boy in the offseason.
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Since 2023, the Chicago Street Race has been a welcome addition to the NASCAR calendar. The event has captivated downtown Chicago, with both fans and drivers enjoying the occasion - but the future of the race is in doubt.
The three-year contract between NASCAR and Chicago has expired and is reportedly unlikely to be renewed. NASCAR used the event to attract new fans; in 2023, over 80 percent of tickets were sold to people who had never attended a NASCAR event before, and that figure was around 70 percent in 2024.
“It accomplished what we wanted to accomplish: Bringing the race to the fans and not the fans to the race,” said driver Michael McDowell. Having accomplished what it set out to do, the Chicago Street Race experiment appears over.
It’s surprising that NASCAR and the city of Chicago do not want to build on the race's success, but obstacles are in the way. The three-year deal is over, although the city could have extended it through 2026 and 2027.
Even if the city decides to trigger the option, NASCAR can opt-out. Many NASCAR races already take place in the region, including Iowa, Indianapolis, and Michigan, while Illinois already has an event at Worldwide Technology Raceway.
NASCAR is also reportedly closing in on a deal to go to San Diego, which would replace Chicago as the street circuit. This is a new market opportunity for the series, and it is deemed more interesting than Chicago despite its successes. Running the race in the Windy City also has difficulties and huge costs.
DON'T MISS
Unlike most NASCAR races, which are held at dedicated tracks as far from city centers as possible, Chicago offers a unique challenge. The circuit rewards a different style of driving, as van Gisbergen can attest, and it puts the series in front of new fans.
Even Kyle Larson is a fan. The Hendrick Motorsports driver claimed Chicago was his favorite race of the 38-race season, telling The Athletic: “I mean, name a better one.”
The NASCAR Cup Series season continues with the Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on Sun., July 13.
