What Is The NASCAR Chicago Street Race?
Most NASCAR races are held on oval tracks. However, NASCAR is always looking to get innovative and come up with new ways to attract fans to the sport. One way they are doing this is by introducing the Chicago Street Race. Keep reading to learn more about this unique and exciting race.
Basic Information:
- Venue: Chicago Street Course
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- First Race: 2023
- Distance: 220 miles
- Laps: 100 laps
History of the Chicago Street Race
The idea for the Chicago Street Race came from a video game series. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused NASCAR to shut down and not be able to run in-person races, they hosted a virtual series called the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series. Real NASCAR drivers competed in virtual races, much to the delight of fans who were missing their beloved racers. For the final race of the 2021 iRacing series, NASCAR decided to do something different. Rather than just have a race in a virtual enclosed course, they created a virtual racecourse through the streets of Chicago. The race was such a hit with the drivers and with fans that once NASCAR returned to in-person, live racing, they decided to make the event a reality.
2023 Chicago Street Race
On July 19th, 2022, NASCAR made the official announcement of the creation of the Chicago Street Race. The race would begin in 2023 and be added to the Cup Series schedule. Since NASCAR did not want to add an extra race to the racing calendar, the Chicago Street race replaced the race at Road America, as that track had had its contract run out with NASCAR. The first edition of the race will take place on July 2nd, 2023, at the newly designed Chicago Street Racecourse.
Event Information
The Chicago Street Race will be the first of its kind in NASCAR. Other racing series, such as open-wheeled ones like Formula 1, have held street races before, but this is a first for NASCAR. For those looking to attend the inaugural event, the race will be run on several streets, including South Columbus Drive, Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Drive, Michigan Avenue, and South Columbus Drive.
In addition to the racing, there will also be music and entertainment options for all ages on the day of and in the days leading up to the race. Some of the music and entertainment performers include the Chainsmokers, The Black Crowes, Charley Crocket, and Miranda Lambert. Clearly, NASCAR is hoping this will be an enjoyable and entertaining weekend for all types of racing fans, not just those who are diehard race watchers. For further updates and any new information concerning the event, those interested can follow “NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend” (@NASCARchicago) on Twitter and other social media platforms.
FAQ
Where is the Chicago Street Race in NASCAR?
The Chicago Street Race will take place in the streets of Chicago on July 2nd, 2023. The street course is designed to travel through several streets in the city of Chicago, encompassing twelve turns and 100 laps, adding up to a total of 220 miles. Some streets that the race will be run on include South Columbus Drive, Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Drive, Michigan Avenue, and South Columbus Drive.
How much are tickets to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race?
There are two main ticket options for attending the 2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race. For regular general admission tickets, the price is currently set at $269. There is also a General Admission Plus package that includes access to a GA+ lounge that has air-conditioned restrooms, a private lounge and seating areas for the race, and a full bar with plenty of food options. All of these extra amenities lead to the General Admission Plus package costing $353.
Who will be competing in the NASCAR Chicago Street Race?
While the exact lineup will not be known until the event gets closer, the competitors in the Chicago Street race will mostly be full-time drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Competitors will qualify for the race as they do with any other NASCAR race by setting lap times in a qualifying session prior to the race.