The streets of Grant Park will remain silent from the roar of 200 mph race cars in 2027. On Tuesday, NASCAR announced the cancellation of the Chicago Street Race for the next summer season, owing to unsuccessful deal negotiations with the city. However, NASCAR expressed interest in revisiting the Chicago Street Race in the future.
Meanwhile, NASCAR confirmed that the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet will reappear on the schedule next summer. The return to the southwest suburban track over the July Fourth weekend proved successful. NASCAR aimed to host races in both Chicago and Joliet by 2027.
Despite efforts from NASCAR and its city and state partners, a deal for the Chicago Street Race in 2027 could not be finalized. A $10 million gap in a state grant to help cover NASCAR’s costs was among the obstacles. The state’s budget had allocated only $5 million, while NASCAR sought $15 million.
Although downtown Chicago won’t witness NASCAR in 2027, fans can enjoy races at the Chicagoland Speedway next summer. NASCAR confirmed its return to Joliet for another Cup Series event. The track hosted NASCAR events successfully this past summer, drawing 50,000 fans from diverse locations.
Jacque Herrera, general manager of Chicagoland Speedway, expressed excitement over the returning event, highlighting the overwhelming fan response. The race is slated for June 25-27 at the 1.5-mile oval speedway.
While the absence of the Chicago race may disappoint some, Joliet’s gain seems significant. For three years, the Chicago Street Race attracted numerous fans despite weather challenges and criticism. It also positively highlighted the city nationwide.
The 2024 Chicago Street Race had a $128 million economic impact and brought 53,036 unique visitors. Additionally, the event generated $43.6 million in media value. Despite its successes, financial gains for the city and NASCAR were limited. The city earned a modest profit through an annual $2 million payment from NASCAR, which took financial losses during the race’s tenure.
NASCAR plans to keep its Chicago office, opened in 2022, and continue its community programs. These programs were launched alongside the Chicago Street Race initiative.
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