On July 1st and 2nd this summer, NASCAR is running a street race in Chicago through and around Grant Park.
Don’t believe me? You aren’t the first. Several neighborhood friends have told relatives or friends from other parts of the country, and they balked. Until they looked it up. Heck, I’ve told fellow Chicagoans who didn’t believe me.
NASCAR has raced in the Chicago area for some time, but at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. So it’s not like NASCAR is unknown in these parts, just that no one can believe it’ll be on our downtown streets. They can be forgiven: Though F1, Indycar and other circuits have had street races forever, this will be NASCAR’s first ever, anywhere.
Given where Beth and I live, we’ve been keen to the reality of the race from the beginning, because the cars will be roaring by within earshot and a couple blocks away. Parking restrictions have already started, and segments of major arteries—including DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Roosevelt Avenue, Michigan Avenue, Balbo Street and Jackson Boulevard will be closed well before and after the race. It’s like Lollapalooza but for race fans.
We don’t own a car so I’m not worried about that. The noise I am worried about. All in all it promises to be a hot mess, especially for local drivers.
But there is a voyeuristic part of me that just wants to see whether this becomes the predicted shit show or whether it surprises.
The course is actually kind of clever. And it will provide NASCAR with the most picturesque backdrop it’s ever had. And racing—particular road racing—has always been a guilty pleasure of mine.
Still don’t believe it? Check out the NASCAR site.
And there’s a possible Talladega Nights movie sequel here where Bubbas come north and run into Ditka fans at local taverns and gang members in the streets. (I’m pretty sure it’ll be mostly high-rollers who are coming, though.)
Then again, maybe the race comes off great, the NASCAR fans enjoy conversation over beers with locals, and the Bubbas go home to tell folks that Chicago ain’t all that bad.
A person can dream (hallucinate)?
For those who haven’t seen Talladega Nights, it’s spoof whereby a gay, French F1 driver comes to America explicitly to beat a NASCAR driver named Ricky Bobby. Antics ensue.
Living with the NASCAR event, while not having to drive around, might be fun. Enjoy.
Mike, you have presented a “best case” scenario. I too am a race fan, but mostly of the Indy 500. NASCAR has promised to use sound reducing mufflers on the cars, but it isn’t that that disturbs me most: it is the traffic jams that will clog our streets for weeks. I also worry about the possibility of an unforeseen accident causing damage to surrounding properties and that the public will be denied access to the best parts of Grant Park and Museum Campus over the 4th of July weekend. If your friends are still disbelieving, do they know this event is contracted for the next 3 years or more? There is a lot to be concerned about, but even so, I will probably be tuning to watch the race, if for no other reason to see how it glorifies our Chicago front yard.
I share every concern you list, Mel. I’m already tired of losing access to stuff for Lolla, which is about as intrusive. The three year thing is something that I’ve been trying to get accurate info on for awhile. I’ve heard there are mutual options for the next two years, which I hope is true. But there’s so much chatter about it that I don’t know. Been a dearth of thorough reporting on it. First thing I heard is we’re locked in for five years, which is not so.
Mike, from what I have heard, Chicago has contracted with NASCAR to do the race for three years with an additional two year option. That would account for the five year rumor. Let’s hope for the best outcome.
Thanks Mel. That makes sense. I don’t think the press did a good job in real time on this. Maybe it’s Lightfoot’s revenge:)
Hey Mike. Does Chicago still have that nude bicycle ride they used to have? I won’t ever forget sitting at Harry Carey’s in June years ago. We heard hooping and hollering – Trina out folks were buck naked on bikes on a mile course. Beyond hilarious! I think it may have been the same time when I ran into Beth on the street. Enjoy that NASCAR!
Yep, they still do that ride!
I agree it will be a shut show and a dumb thing. To do downtown. Please tell Beth I said hello. We went to Bryan Jr high together.
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