--- title: "Why a NASCAR Street Race in Downtown Chicago Makes Sense" date: "2022-07-08" modified: "2022-07-08" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/why-a-nascar-street-race-in-downtown-chicago-makes-sense" categories: - "NASCAR" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Why a NASCAR Street Race in Downtown Chicago Makes Sense ![chicago]() *Lake Michigan. December 2003 \getty\* NASCAR and the City of Chicago have mutually endorsed a race [in the streets of the Windy City ]()that could take place as early as 2023, if a letter obtained by *[The Athletic]()* is to be believed. The letter—acquired through a public records request—reportedly discusses an endorsement for an event that could take place in the heart of downtown for three consecutive years. Although a contract hasn't been signed yet, an official announcement is reportedly scheduled for July 19. Imagine stock cars zooming by the skyscrapers and high-end stores lining the iconic Michigan Avenue. The [roar of the V8 engines]() echoing through the glass buildings as the cars cross the Chicago River. It'd be a sort of Monaco-like atmosphere but with wider streets and bigger (as well as louder) race cars. That's the kind of event that'd make headlines not just domestically, but possibly even abroad, too. ![]() "As Commissioner of the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), I am thrilled about the potential opportunity to host the NASCAR Street Course events here in Chicago,” said Erin Harkey to Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing development and strategy in the letter, according to *The Athletic*. “DCASE is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy, and our strong partnership with the Chicago Sports Commission ensures that NASCAR fans would be treated to a diverse and unforgettable experience.” Should these plans come to fruition, it would mean a huge step forward in NASCAR's efforts to penetrate new markets and cater to younger, more diverse audiences. Yes, [Chicagoland Speedway has been on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar]() on and off for years, though it's absent from this year's schedule. However, comparing Chicagoland to downtown Chicago is very apples-to-oranges. The former caters to a more traditional stock-car racing audience, while the latter would open doors for the series. Furthermore, Chicago is one of the U.S. metropolitan areas with the [largest Hispanic population]() behind Texas and California. This would play well with NASCAR's now-race-winning Mexican driver [Daniel Suarez]() of Trackhouse Racing, a team co-owned by music superstar Pitbull. These demographics make a big impact on race attendance and can even influence where races happen, as Red Bull F1 driver [Sergio Perez recently told me]() during an interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFO7GBi_G8k The idea of bringing NASCAR to downtown Chicago isn't even new. Some version of a street race for either F1, IndyCar, and now NASCAR has long been rumored. But given the massive logistical nightmare that it'd be to close the busiest parts of the Windy City, nothing has ever materialized. This, however, seems to have legit backing from people that can make it happen. A conceptual street course layout has already lived for about a year now on [iRacing](). The track, which you can see in the [video]() above, crisscrosses through Lake Shore Drive, Grant Park, Michigan Ave., and other Chicago landmarks. It'd be great to see exactly this in the real world. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()