Chicago's Reception of NASCAR!

The inaugural Chicago Street Race has been an absolutely fantastic event outside of the weather. The reaction from those native to Chicago has been INSANE. I walked around outside the track area up and down Michigan Ave many times yesterday and the peoples reactions were fantastic. 

Last night walking around at 9pm looking for some food I met Bernadette Williams, a Chicago Native who volunteered to work the event through the organization she works with. She was walking with a couple friends who helped out at the event as well. The trio said that they had a fantastic time and were super excited about the event. I asked her what her initial thoughts of the event were and this is what she told me, 

"When I first heard NASCAR was coming to downtown Chicago.. there was a lot of controversy but it actually was a great experience and I feel with some changes it could be a better experience for all. Great revenue for the city" Bernadette is in the event industry and also added that she loves the exposure for the City of Chicago.  
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As for the overall viewpoint of the event? Well this photo should give you some viewpoint.

THOUSANDS of spectators lined up down the fences of Michigan Avenue yesterday seeking a peak at what was taking up such a big portion of their city. Smiles on nearly every one of them, phones out. Tons of people tore down the Banners on the fences to see the cars go by 20+ ft from where they stood. Many even climbed on top of the subway entrances and the electrical boxes to get a better view. Chicago Police and Chicago Fire sat atop the fire trucks to get a view (I wish I could have seen.) The barriers are 4 ft tall and the Xfinity cars really aren't much taller. The city was ecstatic, and most these people didn't leave their spots until the lightning hold.

I did have a chat with about 10 or 15 people outside of the track who are not very big fans. A couple were business owners or managers in the immediate vicinity of the track such as right here on Michigan Avenue. They said that with Michigan Avenue being blocked off that they were potentially going to lose business, but they do feel that the fans as well as workers and essential personnel have made up for quite a bit of the difference. Some people thought it was extremely inconvenient to have the area blocked off. I did talk to one gentleman who is very pissed off because his Uber could not drop him off directly in front of his employment.

Inside the gates, fans were having a blast. I talked to no less than 40 people and asked them what they thought of the event. Every one of them were having a fantastic time. Of the 40 I spoke with 32 of them were attending their first race.

I walked in with Darnell Smith and his wife, who I saw again over near Buckingham Fountain a little over an hour later. It was both of their first NASCAR races and they were having so much fun, they wanted to know what the next closest track to Chicago was.

Overall this event has been a blast. I cannot explain how grateful I am to have at least some little part in bringing this race to the fans!

By: Tom Luttermoser, Live in Chicago!