Mondays with Mike: Worlds collide

I really don’t much like it when Chicago takes a major public space like part or all of Grant Park out of public commission for events like Lollapalooza or, this past weekend, NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race. And I never trust the numbers that the organizers or the city provides in terms of economic gain—they’re notoriously overstated.

They typically don’t account for the economic activity that gets displaced: the people who avoid downtown who would otherwise have come down for dinner or a concert.

I also spend my working days to lower greenhouse gases from buildings, so burning fuel for fun ain’t in my wheelhouse.

So it might not make sense but I have to confess: I enjoyed the goofy NASCAR thing this past weekend. It might be because I’m a bit relieved that it’s over and while there was one casualty, it was an accidental electrocution of a contractor. That’s not cool but we feared worse could happen—a crash into spectators or worse, and what we all fear these days when there are big crowds—a mass shooting.

But it’s also because I’m a casual racing fan. Watching the drivers figure out a track that wasn’t a track so much as a driver’s nightmare was fully interesting—these guys were really good.

And because I met several really nice people from NASCAR who were here in Chicago working the event. Also symbolically, it was heartening that somehow Red Staters and Blue Staters could not only get along, but have fun together, for at least for a few days.

Beth and I watched TV coverage and what struck us both is how excited the announcers and commentators were to be in Chicago. The production crew had done its homework—they peppered airtime with bits of Chicago history and trivia. They raved about the food and the views and it seemed like they were sincerely tickled to do something so different and new. And cameras are always kind to the Chicago skyline and lakefront, even on an overcast day.

Chicago is a stunning city, with all its warts, and it was gratifying think about all those people who’d only heard about the warts getting a chance to see it shine.

It was also fun to see the folks who didn’t buy a ticket—but who were curious—find ways to peek in. For example, the distinguished Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership operates in a beautiful, multifaceted building on South Michigan. On a Saturday stroll I noticed their outdoor roof space was absolutely packed. Other rooftop decks were also popular perches.

And hearing the TV announcers calling “and now they’re coming down DuSable Lake Shore Drive” instead of they’re “coming down the back straightaway” was a hoot. My favorite comment regarded spotters. Spotters are race officials stationed at key corners and other spots around the track. If something bad happens—like a crash or a spinout—they’re on their radio immediately and a caution flag will come out, telling the drivers to slow down. At one point, one of the commentators—Dale Earnhardt, Jr.—casually commented that, “The turn 6 spotter is on the roof of Chicago Symphony Center.”

I know that might abhor some people, but I just got a kick out of it.

Overall, even with the rain, NASCAR pulled off quite a feat—as did the Chicago Police and Streets and Sanitation crews. What I feared would be an absolute shit show turned out to be a nice surprise (in my estimation).

It still doesn’t change my mind about taking Grant Park out of commission for events, but it could have been worse.