Taking It To The Streets In 2023

By: Tom Luttermoser   Edited 7/20/2022 12:34pm

We have long known that NASCAR has been wanting to run a street course style race. Last season NASCAR, the City of Chicago and iRacing partnered on building a digital "Chicago Street Course". The iRacing Pro-Invitational race held last season was won by Australian driver James Davison leading from flag-to-flag in the race dubbed the Windy City 110. It was a 2.2 mile, 12 turn track on the streets of the windy city and yesterday at 3:30pm, it became official.

City of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was accompanied by 23XI driver Bubba Wallace, NASCAR's Senior Vice President of Racing Development and Strategy Ben Kennedy and NASCAR President Steve Phelps announced on July 19th with the hustle and bustle of the City in the background that the new event would find it's beginning in 2023.

“Really excited about announcing that for the first time with our national series that we’ll be bringing it to a street course, and what better place to do it than downtown Chicago, such an iconic city,” said Ben Kennedy. “You think about the history of sports there, the iconic monuments and facilities around Chicago, and the support that we’ve had around Chicago as well. Mix that in with the great racing that we’ve seen with our NASCAR Cup Series, certainly going to be a very special moment in the summer of 2023 as we go street-course racing for the first time with the series.”

Together they announced to the world that, along with an accompanying IMSA race, the Cup Series will take to the streets for the first time in the Windy City July 1-2 2023. Chicago is one of the largest sports markets in the country and with the closing of the Chicagoland Speedway, a void was left that needed to be filled.

“We’ll be working hand and glove with NASCAR to make sure that the experience is safe but also incredibly enjoyable for the fans,” Lightfoot added, mentioning the economic benefits of being a street-race host. “If you know anything about the city of Chicago, you probably know our tremendous lakefront and icons like Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain. I’m looking forward to showcasing our fantastic city on a global stage. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that this race is a love letter to the city of Chicago.”

In terms of logistics, Mayor Lightfoot mentioned that the City often hosts large-scale events, stating  "We know how to do this." Together they mentioned that many locations were scouted but the park, Lake Michigan and the skyline-hub of the city.. The area was a "No-brainer".

Kennedy confirmed that the Chicago Street Race would take the place of Road America on the 4th of July weekend slot on the schedule. The gorgeous road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin about 150 miles north of Chicago had hosted the Cup Series the last two seasons. I myself attended the inaugural weekend and was blown away. Kennedy stated he hopes that the event will mirror the festival like atmospheres of events of old 4th of July NASCAR weekends. 

The Race will be held in the Chicago Loop in an area of the iconic city with close proximity to Soldier Field in Grant Park. The cars will run with the starting line on S. Columbus Dr. with Pit Road right across the street from the beautiful Buckingham Fountain. Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, East Balbo and East Jackson will make up important stretches of the 12-Turn course as well. The cars will tear by the Field Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Photography, The Art Institute of Chicago as well as the Fine Arts Building.

So far fan reactions seem to differ with those like myself who are excited to see the continued ambitious schedule changes such as The Clash move to L.A. and Bristol Dirt. Then there are those who are against the move, some for reasons as simple as "why take the race from Road America?" to those who are concerned (rightfully so) of the South Side of the cities very well publicized history of violence. Facebook, Twitter and the like exploded in the last few days with negativity across the platforms. 

Lightfoot addressed the safety concerns of many fans;

“We’ll be working hand and glove with NASCAR to make sure that the experience is safe but also incredibly enjoyable for the fans,” Lightfoot added, mentioning the economic benefits of being a street-race host. “If you know anything about the city of Chicago, you probably know our tremendous lakefront and icons like Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain. I’m looking forward to showcasing our fantastic city on a global stage. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that this race is a love letter to the city of Chicago.”

I personally hope the event works perfectly and I already plan to attend in a media position.