Pulling up downtown: NASCAR hits Windy City

This summer, the busy streets of downtown Chicago will be packed with racing cars and cheering crowds, bringing both excitement and disruption to many students. Students say the unique NASCAR street races on July 1-2 around Grant Park in downtown Chicago will be inconvenient as starting June 25, major streets like Columbus Drive, Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed to prepare...

But what even is NASCAR? Here are some important facts and moments from NASCAR’s history to help you out. NASCAR is an acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The American company specializes in stock car racing, a special form of racing around an oval track with ordinary cars that have been strengthened for use in races where cars collide.  NASCAR has held multiple...

The NASCAR street race to be held downtown is said to generate a lot of income — as much as $113 million — but has only generated controversy so far.  The race itself will be disruptive, moving back traditional summer events, like July 4 festivities and the Taste of Chicago. Closures of the major streets for the race will begin as early as June 25. For most Chicagoans, the Grant Park area is key to keeping traffic flowing. Blocking off these streets for so long will cau...

The 2023 Chicago NASCAR festival on July 1-2 promises to be more than just races by and for speed enthusiasts.  In addition to two days of high-speed racing along speedways built for the festival, events will also include a lineup of four big-name musical artists, driver autograph tables, Q&A sessions, sales of NASCAR and concert merchandise, photo opportunities, and interactive exhibits.  ...

What do you think about the NASCAR event that will be held in downtown Chicago July 1-2? “I think it’s a pretty cool event that will bring a lot of attention to Chicago, which is pretty good. Of course street closures are not fun because our city’s infrastructure is bogged down as it is. But I think it could bring interest to Chicago especially because we’ve had waning tourism over the past...

The participants of NASCAR’s Chicago street race are undecided as of now, but there are multiple possible participants. Here are a few possible contestants: Christopher Bell drives the Number 20 Toyota Camry for his team, Joe Gibbs Racing in NASCAR. He is a part-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer and is the 2017 NASCAR World Champion of this subsection of NASCAR. Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch...

Tickets for race and concert are purchasable online and are valid for both days of the event. General admission tickets: Trackside viewing, access to concerts; starting from $269 General admission-plus tickets: Everything offered in general admission as well as the general admission-plus lounge, full-service bar, air conditioned restrooms; starting from $353 Reserved seats: Everything offered...

The July NASCAR race will affect Chicagoans with street closures and other canceled events. Installation of barriers will start on June 15. Partial closure of main arterials surrounding Grant Park will begin on June 25: Columbus Drive, June 25; DuSable Lake Shore Drive (Randolph Street to McFetridge Drive), June 28; Roosevelt Road and northbound Michigan Avenue, June 29; and southbound Michigan Avenue, June 30. Streets will begin to reopen as early as July 3 with all areas reopened by July 15. The closures will occur for sidewalks and streets...