How the Chicago Street Race Has Even More PROBLEMS

NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race is quickly approaching and the controversy for the event still has not slowed down at all. Between the fans and many in Chicago being skeptical of the event it does not have a shortage of detractors and one of these is Chicago city alderman Brian Hopkins who has criticized the city’s traffic changes for NASCAR. This is how the Chicago street race has even more problems.
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[@TheIceberg]

What are you looking forwards to most with the Chicago Street Race?

[@Bradlec_racingchannel]

I don’t know

[@scout222]

Nothing. I want Chicagoland

[@MCHATTENBROS78]

Nothing

[@Cercy-mj6hk]

Idk

[@benwalter4842]

I am not. I want Road America back and/or Milwaukee instead.

[@BoostedSTIG]

I live in Chicago, I like NASACAR. I am pissed that they took away Road America in exchange for this circus act. Why would they drop such a great race venue? The best way to grow the sport is to have good races, and I just don't see how having a street race on this track is going to be a good race.

[@boholde2757]

The spectators turn out in huge numbers at Road America.

[@GatoradeCupSeriesX94]

Especially when most of the corners are 90 degree nowhere to pass corners. It will be a disaster. I can make a much better street course layout with LEGOs. I'm currently making a stop motion out of it.

[@fevinman7162]

I was about to go an comment something similar. Road America is a proven venue that has hosted exciting Xfinity races for several years now, has had two good Cup Races there now, only be dropped by this event. I hope the Chicago event succeeds (as a resident of the Chicago suburbs) but Road America draws in fans from all of the Great Lakes regions, including Chicago and Minneapolis as this is the closest race for them. If the event does not succeed, I hope racing will return to Road America or Chicagoland Speedway

[@Kartkid024]

@@fevinman7162 Road America actually had the worst ratings of any road course Nascar went to last season.

[@ethanweeter2732]

I think it be will be hard to pass. The speed should be decent, but the track will have to be wide for these cars.

[@TheRealOTK]

I live in the city and I'm a nascar fan. I was stoked when this was announced, then they announced $249 for a general admission standing room only ticket. Absolutely absurd.

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

Just find a tall building near the race with an open upper lobby floor and watch it for free. Lol

[@SuperNASCARrocks]

The street race is going to be a shitshow.

[@samharris3508]

Why do you say that? Is it because there are 6 90° corners that 40 drivers that lack respect amongst each other are going to try and navigate?

[@Jaydoubleu83]

We'll put!!

[@omertacw]

It'll be a 1 and done

[@mikep3813]

Couldn't have been more wrong. Two great cup races in two years in spite of the terrible weather the city has. And a great Xfinity series race this year as well.

[@OConnellComedy]

I live in Chicago. Went to school a couple blocks away from the course and played flag football in the park they're racing around. One of the biggest issues for the locals is going to be ticket price... with the cheapest tickets being around $200 no new fans will come out to the race and see what it's about and instead see it as a nuisance. I started following the sport this year and was looking into tickets and was turned off by the prices. I think NASCAR could easily delve into this market but the street course may not be the best idea... Also the marketing has been subpar... I know a ton of people who have no idea this is coming up

[@cypher50]

Is NASCAR not doing anything for local fans? That is absolutely stupid and contrary the point of the race: building up a fanbase in Chicago. You would think that they would make it especially cheap for local citizens so that it is an event that shows on television.

[@JPKelly-xr7tr]

This!

[@OConnellComedy]

@@cypher50 other than the music festival (which still feels for the out of towners) nothing I know of personally.

[@ba.diecast24]

Nothing for the locals really at all, and yeah there’s nothing that can justify paying over $100 let alone $200 to go to a street course where you will only get to see a fraction of the course compared to an oval where you can see the whole track. I feel like they had to set the prices so high in order to reach a certain profit projection... just stupid all around

[@JoshOutdoorsGR]

Ben, I looked into going and taking the train in to catch it… but not for $200 😂

[@donnys8605]

Sounds like we should have stayed at Road America, a track that has brought in 100k plus people the last two years.

[@americanwalmarts3565]

@@johnhaas2523 they broadcasted it on USA... No one has cable television

[@charlieboyd4431]

It shows that they didn’t want it

[@ethanweeter2732]

@@americanwalmarts3565USA is a common channel though. It comes on basic cable.

[@NotSteveCook]

7:07 Take it from an IndyCar fan: it's not too late for the race to be cancelled. I'm not wishing it, though I don't have enthusiasm for this race, but I've seen new street races cancelled as late as 38 days before the scheduled date. The race may go on, and it could easily be a one and done, but no one should bet their lives on it happening in 2023.

[@johnvandeventer8668]

I think that if it gets canceled, Chicagoland would be a great replacement

[@benwalter4842]

I mean, they could go to Road America with the Xfinity/Busch Series instead and swap dates with Richmond. They could also swap dates with Daytona and go to Milwaukee with the Craftsmen Truck Series. Would get Daytona back in the traditional 4th July weekend spot. It would also let them go to a new market with an actual track in its downtown. Win-win scenario imo, though I know NASCAR would not do this. Heck they could go to Iowa instead, since fans want them to go there badly, as the Xfinity/Busch Series can also return to Iowa and join the Cup Series. Once again, a new market for the Cup Series.

[@AnthonytheAmerican]

Agreed

[@herokurogane4055]

no sh1t

[@red6605]

Chicagoland is filled with thousands and thousands of recall vehicles. If the race is cancelled, it’ll be replaced with a track that is ready or already has had multiple races scheduled for the season

[@richardrice8076]

​@@red6605 those vehicles can be moved. And they're waiting for parts not recalls.

[@jabber1990]

"A Chicago Street Course? who asked for this?" "that's the neat part, nobody did"

[@emons10]

NASCAR fan living in Chicago, about a mile north of the street race. I’d say most people here are upset than intrigued for a few reasons: 1. The street closures aren’t just street closures. It’s the two biggest road and highways that go thru downtown during its peak season. The nearby interstate is also under perpetual construction so most people I know are trying to leave the city during that time period. 2. Other events and festivals that take place in that same area, like lollapalooza, while even bigger than the race, don’t disrupt the city flow to any kind of magnitude as the race would 3. Mayor beetlejuice seemed to make this approval without the consent of many local officials, including the parks and rec and tourism folks, and also mislead folks about the logistical impact. Regardless of political views, EVERYONE disliked this woman because she always made self-interested decisions and consulted no one when she made them. 4. Chicago is already a big summer destination so the fear with race is that with the lack of accessibility around the city to not just certain attractions but activities (there are two harbors along the closures that may be inaccessible), there’s a big concern that whatever economic gain the race will bring is wiped out or superseded by the loss in normal tourism from folks coming from the burbs, nearby states, nationwide, etc. Personally, I’d rather see Chicagoland back. As a fan here, I’m worried that all the issues will actually turn off more local folks than bring new ones in. I’d love to be wrong

[@KevinJDildonik]

Yeah this race is so stupid. Chicago can't even handle its own day traffic. Chicago politicians in general are corrupt and stupid. I'm sure they promised NASCAR tons of financial breaks, and it's going to massively hurt Chicago on every level. It's just a very, very stupid stunt.

[@ethanweeter2732]

I lived in Illinois for over a year and not the biggest Lightfoot fan. Moderate liberal by the way. The next Mayor seems like a better choice.

[@ChampaBayBeast]

This street race should never have made it this far. With the pricing, horrible marketing from the City and awful track design this is set up to be an absolute disaster. I would LOVE to see the NextGen car at Chicagoland. I agree that the racing would be fantastic!

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

But it’s not going to be a disaster and we all know that, nothing ever hosted has ever been a failure here in Chicago. All the sits will be sold and it’s going to be packed let’s be honest with ourselves. Even people who didn’t pay for a ticket will be around this event.

[@austinemms9772]

It’s definitely a change that people won’t be happy with but Toronto has had traffic issues when Indycar and the Pinty’s Series come to town so they don’t get to say that no other city deals with things like these.

[@Dexter037S4]

Toronto isn't even that bad of the car-centric hellhole that Chicago is, at least it has Public Transit that's usable

[@mahiru20ten]

do montreal have traffic issues everytime f1 came to town?

[@musyarofah1]

Toronto (and other Indy street courses) has established a fanbase that don't mind the traffic, in addition to decent public transit. The operators already have experience in managing off-track issues.

[@jermaineboyd6594]

I wonder if Detroit or long Beach have traffic issues when Indy car comes to town?

[@benjaminwayneb]

@@mahiru20ten Montreal's race course is a permanent track, it's not on the streets.

[@jg_ultra5133]

Nascar's shattered 75th anniversary diamond is living up to the standards. What an absolute dumpster fire this past week has been

[@S.K.R.E.Inc.]

They lit the match by screwing up Auto Club's future. This is just fanning the flames

[@jg_ultra5133]

@@S.K.R.E.Inc. My match was lit when they introduced the playoffs to compete with ball sports and stages. Steve and everyone at the top is so delusional its insane

[@polycube868]

@JG_Ultra this season has been a disappointment it was supposed to be epic the racing has been mostly fine it's off track stuff that's been souring it for me, much of my excitement was gone when I heard the news of Chase Elliott's injury.

[@mikep3813]

​​@@jg_ultra5133stages and playoffs are the only thing making nascar exciting for the duration of the races and season. Why would anyone watch the final 3 races of the season when Jeff Gordon holds a 200 point lead in the points? Or who won't turn the channel when only 6 cars are left on the lead lap and the leader is half a lap ahead of 2nd place because there hasn't been a caution in 3 hours.

[@Denes2005]

Six week street closure is insane, most race tracks have the roads opened to traffic till days before the race while they are putting up barriers in one lane

[@bobroberts2371]

Long Beach street circuit build: " How to Build a Street Circuit (Part 1) | Dinner with Racers S3 Ep. 4 | MotorTrend & Continental Tire " on the channel " MotorTrend Channel " " How to Build a Street Circuit (Part 2) | Dinner with Racers S3 Ep. 5 | MotorTrend & Continental Tire " on the channel " MotorTrend Channel "

[@JediOfTheRepublic]

The six weeks is to prepare the surface for the race.

[@Kerndog04]

Jarett calling Lightfoot "Beetlejuice" had me dying 😂💀

[@chasejordan22]

Thats been her nickname from people on the Right for a few years now.

[@Averagegamer454]

@@chasejordan22 That's a good name

[@boodew-dp5jn]

the newly-elected mayor is known as Beetlejuice with a beard.

[@ethanweeter2732]

@@chasejordan22Been her nickname on the left too I think.

[@Maverick33]

It stems from what looks like dark circles around her eyes.

[@AnthonyLeach]

3:18 Mayor Beetlejuice got me dying! 🤣🤣🤣

[@CDeuce152]

Mayor Failed Experiment is another one.

[@Kerndog04]

Same 💀

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

I mean have you seen that thing?! The real beetlejuice should be the offended one lol

[@marcschubert139]

I don't understand why when you have Chicago royalty in Michael Jordan who is a team owner on your side NASCAR isn't pushing him out front and center to Garner favorable opinions on this race.

[@dandahl5964]

He left years ago

[@AlphaHumphrey]

He probably thinks it's a garbage idea too. I'm not saying that's the reason, but the odds are fairly good that it's the reason

[@loganinnis3117]

I would love if NASCAR return to Chicagoland speedway that’s the track I first saw my first NASCAR race

[@ottoman3573]

As someone who’s “childhood track” got boned over so this disaster can take place… those of us who regularly attend races at Road America would like to say “Boy… ya just hate to see that, don’t ya… nice folks having so much trouble (all of which was TOTALLY predictable) putting on a race… just too bad… 😁😁😁”

[@10RRASK]

I’m glad I made it to both of the RA Cup races. Spent the whole weekend camping in 2022. Hopefully it comes back next year, even if it’s not 4th of July weekend, a fall race at RA would be great.

[@mikep3813]

Street race has been great both years in spite of the terrible weather the city has.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

Hmmm, there is a track in Joilet, Illinois that needs some Stock Car Racing again for the first time since 2019 and fans would be happy to attend that race and NASCAR can save money👀

[@TheOwl22]

nah. Chicago has proven that it is not a motorsports market.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

@@TheOwl22 So far, NHRA is back at Route 66 Raceway for the first time in a while, Super Motocross is at Chicagoland. Gateway still has NASCAR, IndyCar, and even Trans-Am Racing. I’m curious. Why do you say that? They don’t want racing? Or?

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

@@TheOwl22 oh wait I misread, never mind

[@richardrice8076]

​@@TheOwl22 it isn't, but Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio are. They filled that place every cup race and the majority of fans were out of towners.

[@TheOwl22]

@@richardrice8076 Chicagoland is a boring cookie cutter track that should've never been on the schedule.

[@RocketCat525]

I wish they would just move the race to Chicagoland Speedway it was a good race track and needs to be back in NASCAR

[@ernestscott9244]

You know they have a perfectly good track sitting abandoned in Joliet they can clean up and use, or a road course sitting in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin they raced at last year that can host... GET IT!

[@americanwalmarts3565]

Yeah Wisconsin has a good market

[@nathanieldavisracing1848]

rockford could use someone to save it

[@ethanweeter2732]

Road America is race ready. They run Indy on June 18 I believe. But NASCAR may have angered the track management enough they might not want them there.

[@nathanieldavisracing1848]

@@ethanweeter2732 i’m going for the imsa race

[@michaeldion918]

The issue with the Chicago Street race is Lori Lightfoot (the previous mayor) Screwed the deal up BAD. She didnt even tell the alderman the specifics of the closures she agreed to before she inked it. He was furious, because it's a terrible deal for the citizens of the city.

[@Abc-qw5th]

Mayor Beetlejuice got me rolling 😂😂😂

[@ItsMavicBrah]

Chicago Politicians should be more concerned with their gang violence issue more than kickbacks or fantasy street racing.

[@Chase92488]

the chicago memes strike again

[@chisoxwin82]

You’re absolutely right. The politicians are just in office for recognition and money. All the idiots that voted Johnson are going to realize he’s going to be worse than Beetlejuice. Let’s not forget that the city is in serious debt , and it’s sad that this is they’re only way of trying to bounce back . But it’s going to take a whole lot more than just a stupid race

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

All cities have violence and crime you don’t put the breaks on everything because of crime then no city would function. You figure out your problems while still pushing the city forward. If that was the case NYC would have shut down decades ago to make sure they brought all crime to zero before hosting anything. More people more problems that’s what comes with big cities, more people more opportunities this even works with crime. You will be more prone to steal cars in a dense city vs a rural town because their is more opportunities to do it over and over again also its so big everyone doesn’t know everyone to know who did it. There is more opportunity for criminal behavior in big cities because it’s a numbers game. You think the Mob prefers big cities to operate out of like Chicago or NYC or small rural areas with less opportunities. Nationally we as a country will figure this out because we have the highest rate of violent crimes out of any other wealthy nation around the world and we shouldn’t be leading in that as a develop nation and as big brother to the world.

[@Chase92488]

@@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79 dam bro wrote an essay

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

@@Chase92488 essays are good

[@BathSaltShaman]

Absolute pipe dream of a backup that would never happen: NASCAR running the old Cleveland airport IndyCar circuit and doing a double header with IndyCar.

[@samruth240]

Street racing is a needed avenue in NASCAR, but Chicago was the wrong city. Denver, Portland, San Diego… hopefully the race goes through, but hopes are low

[@Dexter037S4]

Toronto or Trois-Rivieres are better options, remember that they want Canadian Cup Series races and CTMP isn't a NASCAR priority (they'll drop it within 2 years for another Texas date or something).

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

No it's not a needed venue. Be careful what you wish for.

[@jermaineboyd6594]

I agree to extent,but stock cars don't do well on street course but I hope I'm wrong just in case.

[@ethanweeter2732]

Portland has a permanent track, which is why I don’t know why NASCAR did not consider Portland.

[@kakakakyle23]

i think the CSR is the most shortsighted thing nascar has ever done, possibly even worse than dropping the Rock & North Wilkesboro for Texas. This 1 year experiment pissed off basically the entire state of Wisconsin because nascar was so "proud" of coming back here with the top series for the first time since the 50's, look at how massive those crowds were, especially in '21. Imagine how upset you would be if you were praised like that and finally had an event like that, on the 4th no less, and nascar said, "Thanks for the money, assholes, we're gonna take this cool thing you really like from you after 2 years and put it in the place your whole state hates the MOST. Hold this L, you nerds." WI has a bigger nascar base than IL, that's not really up for debate. WI companies have been pulling out of the series ever since they dropped the Milwaukee Mile from the lower series. Remember Milwaukee Tool sponsoring Carl Edwards? How about Rockwell Automation's partnership with JGR? I'd imagine Kohler might reevaluate their partnership with Keselowski given that nascar has basically shoved a massive Chicago sized middle finger to their home state. Unless this truck race in August at the Mile goes well, nascar has done nothing but piss off a huge base for a 1 year experiment because the city of Chicago will never allow this to happen again, I lived in IL for 20 years (Chicago for 4) and unless The Chainsmokers take over Chase Elliot's ride and win the whole thing by flying it off a bridge a la Blues Brothers, this will NEVER happen again. Nascar could have invested to renovate the Milwaukee Mile to a Cup level or just kept Cup at Road America and seen better long term growth but, much like they've done for the last 40 years, they can't help but piss off their actual fan base for markets that do not care and never will.

[@LethalSpine]

Funny enough, the Blues Brothers scene with that bridge was filmed in Milwaukee

[@ethanweeter2732]

I think you overestimate the hate for Chicago.

[@mikep3813]

And overestimate how likely it will be a one off race and never happen again. 2 years in and 2 successful races even in the face of the worst weather possible both years.

[@rosscrashtain]

I've been to RA and Chicagoland, don't plan on going to the street "race" I think either track and fanbase will happily take the date back

[@NR_88]

I like the idea of nascar trying a street course. With that said, I’d put my life savings on this event not making it past year 1. Maybe in the future try and join an already existing event like Long Beach or Nashville (I know there’s already Nashville superspeedway and fairgrounds I’m just using this for comparison sake)

[@Dexter037S4]

A better option: Trois-Rivieres, a track that has had Stock Cars racing on it, and very well on it, I might add, for over a decade, a Rabid fanbase (Quebec is NASCAR's largest market of "Casual" fans right now, period) and a historic venue that sells out every year. It's just asking for a Cup Race.

[@W123KartSport]

Please don't bring NASCAR to LB. There are enough problems in the hairpin with cars not having enough steering lock to actually make it through and the schedule is already packed.

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

No

[@S.K.R.E.Inc.]

2 potential triple headers in 2 megaregions of the country (LA-LBGP-OCIE, Nashville Graceland), and they do this

[@grahamcrackergaming1540]

Agreed. That's kind of what I've been saying ever since they announced Chicago, especially with all the skeptics and old school fans that think NASCAR can just go to any short track like it's somehow the 50s/60s. I've ran the Gen 6 cars with AI around Long Beach on iRacing and it does have potential far NASCAR as well as how well the IMSA races go. Another one I was thinking of would be Roger's new Detroit layout. lots of high speed section that would possibly put on a good show for NASCAR. Was kinda disappointed when IMSA wasn't gonna be racing there. would've really liked to see how IMSA/multiclass racing in general would go.

[@curtisblevins1462]

Well, I know that I've said this before and I'm going to say it again: I still stand against the Chicago Street Course because if NASCAR wanted to return to Chicago so badly, they should have just brought Chicagoland Speedway back and if Road America had remained on the schedule, I would like to see the truck series race at the Milwaukee Mile on Friday night during that weekend the Cup/Xfinity series goes to Road America. All-in-all, in the end, that's all I've got to say, so goodbye!

[@mattfaulk4616]

Go back to Daytona for the 4th of July

[@TheOwl22]

the city of Daytona Beach says no.

[@robertlynn4435]

@@TheOwl22 SHUT UP

[@lllllllllllll343]

4th if July race needs to be at talladega or north Wilkesboro

[@TheOwl22]

@@lllllllllllll343Bruh that is beyond stupid. Talladega has been proven to be one of the top 10 most hated tracks on the schedule. As for North Wilkesboro, it does need to be on the schedule but I think it should be in the spring if NASCAR is going to rotate the All Star Race to various tracks. They could in fact do the All Star Race at Bowman Gray Stadium for that matter.

[@lllllllllllll343]

@@TheOwl22 explain why talladega Daytona had the most positive ratings and viewers btw the most hated tracks are texas most of the 1.5 mile cookie cutters and dover. Honaarable mention chicogo street race it’s going to suck

[@scout222]

The Chicago SC is an awful idea. Hopefully we get Chicagoland next season.

[@Dexter037S4]

Toronto or Trois-Rivieres, 3R especially, Quebec is arguably the only reason right now NASCAR still has casual fans.

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

@@Dexter037S4 no not Toronto. Traffic issues are a problem there.

[@S.K.R.E.Inc.]

Long Beach should host the street race, the day after the grand prix. If it works, but if there's demand for Chicagoland 5 minutes away, there should be 3 races: the street circuit, then a drag race to the speedway, and once they get to the start finish line, immediately start the 3rd race. An all-day 3-race endurance run. And, is the windy city oval owned by Speedway Mototsports?

[@Dexter037S4]

@@runrafarunthebestintheworld It's Toronto, once the Ontario Line opens it should be fine.

[@Dexter037S4]

@@S.K.R.E.Inc. not LB, the final hairpin would be impossible

[@protoolpat1]

Thats waaaaay to much time to close any city center!!! NASCAR should focus on more rural locations with more space to plan and less interference with travel. Back out now NASCAR......

[@oldred9122]

I'm excited for this race, because I love seeing NASCAR try new things. That being said, I think it should stay a one-time event, and Road America should take it's place.

[@brendanschuett]

Chicagoland would be great too!

[@aaronleesgbclieutenant]

Or Road Atlanta. Or hell, if they want a street course, Belle Isle is literally 4 hours away

[@HighlandCall]

@@aaronleesgbclieutenant the Indycar/IMSA move from Belle Isle was partially because local residents were increasingly hostile to the park being shut for as long as it needed to set up and tear down the track; plus I suspect the Detroit Council would not want to have two completely separate street races over the course of one summer in different places. So not possible.

[@russmode]

Some crappy cities, Chicago, Detroit, there are alot of others I'm sure with better streets, governments, event planners, citizens support, not murder capital's, safer areas for visitors, would gladly welcome this event.

[@ethanweeter2732]

@@russmodeChicago is still a nice city.

[@mattdyer489]

The Chicago street course is going to flop so hard, and I am going to laugh my ass off when it does.

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

You really think it’s going to flop in a big city like Chicago, come on let’s be realistic.

[@mattdyer489]

@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79 it's definitely going to flop. The city government doesn't want it anymore. The people in the in the city never wanted it, and most Nascar fans think it is an absolutely idiotic idea. It's going to be a glorious disaster.

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

@@mattdyer489 stop it please, flop like how empty seats no people around the event please elaborate your definition of flop?

[@mattdyer489]

@@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79 flop as in it doesn't make a profit.

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

@@mattdyer489 you really think all those seats will not be sold out in Chicago seriously. Mark my words all those seats will be sold along with a bunch of people around the event who didn’t buy a ticket. You have local Chicagoans on top of tourist that will be in Chicago for the event. Your going to eat those words as it’s televised and you see how packed it is and every sit filled. July 1st and 2nd stay tuned it’s going to be a hit if not NASCAR wouldn’t have chose Chicago to boost their ratings they would have saw it as a failure from jump.

[@WoddCar]

Who knew building a giant urban area on car centric infrastructure could have unintended problems when only a few streets close down

[@toyotaecw]

If NASCAR wants a street race, suck it up and play second fiddle to F1 in Miami or Vegas. Guaranteed global audience too.

[@charliepalmer3244]

F1 has to invite them first, and they won't.

[@ewayne1918]

​@@charliepalmer3244 why's that?

[@charliepalmer3244]

Lol, they aren't sharing a dime with them.

[@charliepalmer3244]

It's like Coke and Pepsi having a festival together bro.

[@ewayne1918]

@@charliepalmer3244 oh I see what you mean

[@aaronbaird9444]

There is no way people are going to pay $254 minimum for a two day ticket to just go see the chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert. The concerts are just the sweetener and by looks of the ticket sales as well as the public response, this race will be an absolute disaster. Just think, NASCAR went from 110,000 people at road America to this disaster intentionally to appease NBC and try to create an event that didn’t have any fan support compared to event that had tremendous fans support, but NASCAR was only sharing in the proceeds

[@Johnvickyjohnson]

I live near Chicago, and commuted there for a number of years. I will not be attending, because that city is a cesspool. Criminals are salivating at the potential influx of victims.

[@jordanthompson5233]

I'm from the chicagoland area. everyone i've talked too is super against it. mayor beetlejuice got me too lol.

[@cmhsgrad02]

Wait 6 weeks of closures for a single weekend of racing? .. look at how Vegas f1 is doing.. the entire strip is being repaved just for the one race..

[@brandensimmons653]

This would be an one year stand eventually going back to Chicagoland

[@TonyStewartman14]

Mfs for 15 years: THESE MILE AND A HALFS SUCK GET RID OF THEM. Nascar fans when they finally cut down the mile and a halfs: NOOOO PLEASE BRING THAT TRACK BACK

[@ProxiProtogen]

^ This lol

[@S.K.R.E.Inc.]

The one track we wanted gone was Texas, but they do EVERYTHING BUT THAT. No one asked for Atlanta to be a Charlotte clone, it's Texas' fault that Rockingham got scrapped and took North Wilkesboro 39 years to return to NASCAR since 1994, no California fan wanted a short track to replace a beloved superspeedway, no matter how bad the racing was, and while people wanted cookie-cutters out, they take out the wrong ones and keep all the bad ones in

[@ethanweeter2732]

@@S.K.R.E.Inc.Loudon too, as they made way for one date to go to Loudon for a second date.

[@truthteller4442]

I understand what NASCAR is trying to do, but they genuinely could not have picked a WORSE time to have this race in Chicago. Summer is festival season in Chicago. There are constantly huge multiple events going on in the city in June, July and August. You’ve got the regular street fests, the professional sports games, but then you have the MONSTER events like Lollapalooza and The Taste Of Chicago that take place right around the time this race is tying up the city. Traffic is already horrible in Chicago, because it’s summer and there’s already construction everywhere. Most Chicagoans I talk to don’t follow NASCAR, and they don’t want traffic delays. The traffic alone will make them hate it. Just not the right time or place. Maybe in September this would work.

[@John-kx3ng]

This race sill be a footnote in Nascar history. One and done. Id personally love to see them race in downtown Detroit.

[@NASCARFAN93100]

How much of a disaster this event will be

[@Bload72productions]

It wouldn't surprise me if it falls short at the last second and Nascar has to race at a different track nearby.

[@Barry_Matthews]

They should use the Bluesmobile as the pacecar

[@wolverine9632]

My dad works in downtown Chicago, and has for decades. Every time the Chicago Olympics question comes up, he prays it will never happen. Sadly, I don't see any way that this race plays out without smelling like sh*t. Six weeks is WAY too long to have so many road closures, especially in the summer. Most people in Chicago are going to straight up hate it; I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they have some mega protest over it. Hopefully, everyone involved will be facepalming asking themselves, "Why didn't we just go back to Chicagoland?" But knowing how Illinois politics works (or doesn't), we likely won't see any races in the Chicago area for quite some time.

[@ethanweeter2732]

Illinois is a good state. The problem is a major city for traffic concerns is hard to race at.

[@Dat-Mudkip]

I genuinely want them to NOT go racing in downtown Chicago. You want Chicago? Go to Chicagoland! It's a perfectly good racetrack that is uniquely shaped and regularly provides good racing! Bonus points if you bring the Fourth of July race back to Road America.

[@michaelostertag2839]

I hate this idea. NASCAR is being NASCAR as usual. They finally went to Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI and it was an enormous success! Race teams loved it, fans loved it, sponsors loved it. However, let's ignore all that and go for the money grab in Chicago and ignore what the fans really want in a road course. The Road America race was a huge payday for NASCAR and all involved over the 4th of July weekend, but hey....let go someplace they aren't wanted and quite frankly, isn't even close to ready to handle what is needed. This is a disaster in the making and just one more reason that NASCAR management doesn't know what they are doing.

[@americanwalmarts3565]

First off, the tickets are too damn expensive, and the logistical sides of everything with 36 NASCAR haulers going inside Downtown Chicago, but attendance wise I expect it to be a good crowd with Chicago being #3 in terms of TV ratings and Chicago Illinois connects to 2 of the biggest motorsports cities that being Indianapolis, Indiana being only 186 miles away via Interstate 65 South & Detroit, Michigan is 282 miles away which is accessable via Interstate 94 East...

[@Askerban]

How about Road America as a backup plan? A track that promotes and wants it in a similar market? Or perhaps the Milwaukee Mile (a track with a history since the 19th century)? I hope NASCAR doesn't harm itself when other venues close by Chicago are popular

[@CrewGuyPJ]

its simple...they are now taking the "racing to the people" because thru their own mismanagement, the fans no longer come to them.

[@idkplayer]

He passed it to us!!!

[@diecastcollector7982]

still dont understand why there doing this, this aint gonna end well for the sport

[@jshkohler]

I've dropped a load off in chicago once and have come across street racers. Are they doing something wrong? Yes. Are they just trying to have some fun? Yes. I waited for them to do their race and those street racers were very respectful and let me get pass them. Didn't shoot at me, didn't chew me out, and even at one point I told them to enjoy themselves and have a good night. I got back "Thank you sir, drive safe and have a good night as well". They don't want to hurt anyone, they just want to do something they can't afford to do on a race track.

[@Maverick33]

And street racing is the effect of closing tracks.

[@jarrodmenshouse]

And the Chicago Cubs play at home that weekend too

[@PatRyanFTW]

I said this when you talked about the race last year... I lived in Chicago for a long time growing up. As a huge race fan. That place hates auto racing...... the suburbs and beyond maybe not but downtown Chicago doesn't deserve this to begin with. The possible return of Chicagland speedway is the only thing i could see coming out of this in a positive way. -former resident and avid Chicago sports fan

[@ethanweeter2732]

They probably don’t hate the racing, they will hate the traffic jam.

[@joestephan1111]

The old NASCAR Winston West series, then running the same rules and big block cars as Winston Cup, thru the years had a number of road races, including street races on their schedule. The race thru Spokane was held on a three mile plus street course that included two bridge crossings over the river and a tunnel. They were all good until the cost of running those cars, and the withdrawal of Winston, led to NASCAR's cutting back on schedules and courses (today called ARCA West). One of the races included the Formula Atlantic series which produced future F1 and Indy Car drivers.

[@JD-cp4ei]

I think Chicagoland would be great but y'all might not like this but I say go to Mid Ohio

[@S.K.R.E.Inc.]

Don't know which folk are worse: Florida people, or Ohio?

[@polycube868]

I agree 1.5 cookie cutters are lame

[@BrokenBudgetMotorsports]

I’m so happy that you included the last part because I agree with you. Let’s see the new car at the now old Chicagoland Speedway.

[@indycarfangreg1]

i think the biggest thing keeping people away is the cheapest tix is $260

[@americanwalmarts3565]

Yeah I wanna go to the Chicago Street Race, but $260 is too much... I live in Michigan, so I got tickets that were only $39 at Michigan International Speedway

[@polycube868]

Especially if the best Bristol tickets are $145 a piece and you can actually see the whole track and not cars once a lap.

[@americanwalmarts3565]

@@polycube868 the cheapest tickets I looked at for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race was $69... But still I live in Michigan, and I am 500 miles from that track...

[@BoredHistoryTeacher]

We could've just kept an insanely popular road race at Road America and made the current fans of NASCAR happy...or go to a street race that no one but NASCAR or their TV partners want.

[@ethanweeter2732]

Except it was not popular in Tv ratings.

[@jamesrodda7133]

I personally don’t have great confidence in this race for a few reasons. My biggest is the safety aspect, the next Gen car doesn’t have history of a street course. The road courses ran now have a lot of ran off areas and have a huge margin of safety and even the oval with safer barriers still cause harm to the drivers. Another concern is the layout. For NASCAR wanting to score big with this event they produced such a boring layout that I can see being plagued with cautions because someone is dive bombing in the turns because they can’t pass. I want to be wrong and have this event be worthy of both the effort and the time slot it was put in.

[@tomhollingsworth8201]

Maybe they should do a street race in Detroit. Drive around all the abandoned houses.

[@Visionary_Watcher]

Come to Cleveland, put it on the downtown private airport that hosted Indycar from 1982-2008

[@brendan7591]

I'm not paying $250 bucks to watch this race. That is an absurd amount of money for this race

[@GatoradeCupSeriesX94]

Just cancel this circus. It was never gonna work the day it was announced. Just go back to Road America. At least RA can sell out.

[@1972lesteryan]

If this race does happen. For anybody planning to go the race. A word of advice. BRING A BULLET PROOF VEST.

[@TracksideViews]

If Chicagoland ever comes back everyone who says they want it back need to go and support your race.

[@TicketyToc]

Just saw where the cheapest tickets to the race is $269. This will most certainly be a flop. A major flop

[@W123KartSport]

Here is the problem that I see. NASCAR at any road/street circuit races that are at owned by NASCAR (i.e. Charlotte and Daytona Rovals) are not actually flagged by flaggers in the traditional sense. Between 6-8 of the oval observers are placed in strategic locations where cameras can't see. For example when IMSA was sharing the Roval with Cup in 2020, the corner workers were taken in and out of the track and were only allowed to be on station during the IMSA sessions. NASCAR is relying too much on technology and I think it will cause a track blockage at Chicago at the very least. I don't see how this event works without the volunteer marshals.

[@jenniferpetrauskas7648]

Not worth it. Too much violence and crime down there. Traffic is just going to be an abomination. I tried pricing tickets for the event and they were absolutely ridiculous.💩

[@caseysmith544]

They did a Road/Beach course back in Daytona that was even more insane then this race for about 10 years so it is in NASCAR DNA Roots to do some Street race again, I just wish it was not in Chicago but in a City that has hosted NASCAR Cup racing but does not have a suitable track for the events, just makes me mad that nothing on either side has been done to the Chicago area track to either develop track into something different possibly even keeping part of the place as a short track or revive racing here as is, this is not 1998 or prior where some tracks for NASCAR got abandoned, most today that got removed and gone in 2000's for NASCAR in general all levels were due to development or a poor idea of going to a track that did not work for NASCAR like say Mid Ohio that never worked for the bigger car divisions past the no longer done Midget cars or the NASCAR Modified series.

[@Wayne-Kj]

I seriously doubt that the economic boost the city may get from this event will offset the economic loss from effectively shutting down that part of the city for six weeks.

[@jennycadena7290]

Cody Ware will probably not compete for the Chicago street course

[@wessoccerplayer]

I think they should do a dual series weekend at Nashville street course with Indy car series, like they did with COTA

[@ethanweeter2732]

You mean Indy RC in 2021 also?

[@wessoccerplayer]

@@ethanweeter2732 well Xfinity and Indy are doing the Indy RC doubleheader this year

[@Alex12Blaning43]

Honestly in my opinion if they're going to do a straight course next year they should start looking at another city to host the event.

[@isaacgaming2176]

The problem City went nuts in 2011 If you Know you know

[@richardrice8076]

City goes/is nuts, 2011 has nothing to do with it. What's your point?

[@isaacgaming2176]

@@richardrice8076 hasnt you seen Transformers D.O.T.M?

[@richardrice8076]

@isaac gaming 21 no I hasn't, at 66 I don't do and never have done video games. And judging by your butchery of the English language maybe you ought to spend less time playing them.

[@isaacgaming2176]

@@richardrice8076 im talking about a movie not a videogame 🙄

[@richardrice8076]

@isaac gaming 21 well I guess I haven't seen the movie either😉. See what ya got to look forward to when you get old? You're completely out of touch with all things pop culture🤪. Thanks for putting up with me.

[@Somebody-qo9ob]

I think if politicians are extremely opposed to street races in the future there is some chance they help incentives using the speedway. Maybe financially or endorsing events to keep it away from the city center

[@traptrap1968]

Closing down city streets seems crazy and 6 weeks is just insane. Seems like forcing hardship on tons of people to benefit just a few finacially

[@bobroberts2371]

Long Beach street circuit build: " How to Build a Street Circuit (Part 1) | Dinner with Racers S3 Ep. 4 | MotorTrend & Continental Tire " on the channel " MotorTrend Channel " " How to Build a Street Circuit (Part 2) | Dinner with Racers S3 Ep. 5 | MotorTrend & Continental Tire " on the channel " MotorTrend Channel "

[@eastonhendrickson6570]

It to be over

[@leongt1954]

I read here in Aus that 3 time v8 supercar champion Shane van Gisbergen i will race the 91 car replacing Kimi Räikkönen and to be fair a street race is right up van Gisbergen alley

[@Blk_GT8]

This race is a giant L for the city and nascar. Nascar drivers don’t have the talent or patience for a street course. And the city is gonna be one major traffic jam for half the summer as result of the race and necessary preparations. Oh and that’s not even touching on the crime in Chicago. Nascar should go back to Road America for the July 4th weekend race.

[@History_dude1989]

Move it to North Wilkesboro... It will be ready and waiting!!!

[@eleanmendoza]

NASCAR needs to stop trying to get new viewers at the expense of its current viewers. Nascar needs to get back to Iowa and do whatever it needs to renovate Kentucky so it can race there too.

[@ProxiProtogen]

Nah, let's not get back to mile and halfs.

[@__boomer2__]

All for street racing? Yes. But the Chicago SC has an atrocious layout and plus...it's Chicago. Ew. Maybe they could do Long Beach or a double header with IndyCar at Detroit? What are some other popular street courses in the country?

[@anthonyrausch5708]

0:07- Remember this was “A PROJECT THAT LORI “LIGHTFOOT” STARTED UP; well ‘SHE IS GONE NOW” Her replacement; “AIN’T MUCH BETTER” but I don’t think “HIS FIRST PRIORITY IS GOING TO BE A NASCAR STREET RACE AROUND CHICAGO’S CITY STREET’S” This thing was “D.O.A” from the word “GO”!!!!!

[@mikek749]

The Speedway is where any Chicagoland race should take place. Place was built for racing and had good racing. New Gen car would race awesome at that track. Road and street racing is over hyped.

[@dankrolikowski9271]

Sorry... Always thought this was a bad idea.. Beyond the fact that NA$CAR decided to turn their back, and ignore 100k of us that went to Road America.Sure, build your sport by alienating one of your most attended races....

[@jackmeriustacktheratrix55]

As a college student from out of state in the Joliet/Romeoville area I would love to have a race near me. The race downtown is almost too far and inconvenient to go to while The speedway being something that I've flown over multiple times would be great to go to

[@ethanweeter2732]

It is only an hour away. I know gas is not cheap, but an hour is too far for you? We would go 2.5 hrs to go to Kentucky Speedway.

[@danielwest9955]

All of y’all hoping this means Chicagoland comes back really need to look at the races the place put on before ‘18. I’d love to see them back on the schedule, but let’s be real and stop acting like it’s the second-coming of Darlington or something.

[@richardrice8076]

The races they put on before and after '18 were some of NASCARS best.

[@polycube868]

@Richard Rice decent racing none of them before "SLIDEJAWB" in 2018 were iconic all time great races only truly memorable moments were 2003 Bobby Labonte catching on fire in practice, 2004 Busch Series qualifying when the orange blew onto the track and 2004 JGR and Evernham pit crews fighting.

[@HempireKing420]

Really don't understand the issues with having a street race in Nascar or dirt at Bistrol. Nascar started off in the streets so to speak with the moonshiners!!! And when Nascar was founded all they really had was mostly dirt tracks and maybe some paved. Let's bring back Daytona Beach!!!

[@chrisguardiano6143]

As an F1 fan in addition to NASCAR, I am very surprised that a lot of the issues that have plagued the Chicago Street Race haven't also plagued the race F1 is doing on the Strip in Vegas later this year, even more so since the Strip is one of the busiest stretches of road on the entire planet & generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. I am very surprised that both MGM & Caesars are okay with the loss of business at their casinos as a result of people not being able to get to them because of F1. But then again both MGM & Caesars are likely going to make hundreds of millions of dollars that weekend from tourists coming in to watch the Vegas GP in terms of gambling & staying in the hotels (it helps them that cheapest hotel rate on the Strip that weekend is $800 a night) so it is worth it to have that loss of business in the weeks leading up to & following the GP. However unlike this, if the Vegas GP is a "one & done", Vegas is never getting another F1 race again & this country likely will never have 3 F1 races on the schedule ever again. It will also lead to the bubble that is F1's growing popularity in the US finally bursting.

[@mrj3217]

Street road racing and big heavy NASCARs on this course will most likely involve at least one huge crash. I see the racing being sub par. We will see.

[@roscotreat5337]

I've Followed Nascar Nearly 45+yrs. And Been To NASCAR Races Nearly Half The Time.. NASCAR Needs To Stop Trying To Appease Different Demographics In Our Country Or Outside Our Country.. There Is So Many Bad Ideas With The Direction NASCAR Is Going... The Sport Is Already In A Massive Decline Since The Last WINSTON CUP SEASON In 2003. What NASCAR Really Needs To Do Is Go Back To Where It All Began And Give The Teams, Drivers, And The DIE-HARD Fans A Voice Again. I Believe If NASCAR Losens There Strings And They Want To Really Move Forward That's The Way It Should Be Done.. Drop The Rhetoric, Stop Appeasing Big Donors To The Sport And Put Life Back Into The Sport. Everything NASCAR Has Done Since 2004 Has Eroded The Sport.. There Is Much More I Want To Say; But Save The Rest Of The Debate For Another Day.

[@Maverick33]

I think it'll be a one and done deal. When you take out the claims of crime and look strictly at the pushback and guff from local government and citizens, I don't think NASCAR will return. Now if NASCAR is determined to have at least 1 street circuit a year, then Detroit Belle Isle is their best option. The local government and citizens of Detroit seemed to like the track when IndyCar and IMSA went there. Plus, it'd be a big hit with Ford and GM. A track literally in the backyard of NASCAR's 2 biggest partners and sponsors. I understand NASCAR wants the Chicago market. One of the biggest tv markets of the US. However, Detroit is "Motor City". They host the North American International Auto Show there every year. The birthplace of car culture.

[@luisgeluna2787]

Run them!! I’m from Chicago and can’t wait to see this race. I like racing but Im more of F1 and WRC fan. NASCAR are nowhere near my top.

[@patrickclifford5313]

Why would that pic the busiest weekend of the summer to do this with all the other stuff going on in the city really shows how intelligent are city leaders are who's going to be responsible repairing the city I'm sure it's going to be the taxpayer