The NASCAR Chicago Street Race and music festival comes to Chicago July 1-2 and will affect Chicago residents heading downtown beginning late June. Traffic interruptions begin on June 25th and are expected to last through the end of July. Closures will affect DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Drive, Jackson, Balbo, and Michigan Avenue. This is in addition to major construction projects happening across the city including the Obama Presidential Center and Kennedy Expressway Construction. The City of Chicago gave NASCAR access to Grant Park from June 22 to July 5th.
In a statement, Executive Director of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Rich Guidice said, “The city of Chicago has been working with NASCAR in the planning and execution of the race to minimize disruptions to residents and visitors while making it a safe event for everyone. Safety is our top priority, and we will help monitor all race activity leading up to the event, through the race weekend, and following the event to help coordinate city resources and expectations.”
NASCAR and city officials expect 100,000 people to attend the two-day event. NASCAR will transform DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive and select surrounding thoroughfares into a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course. The start/finish line and pit road will be located along South Columbus Drive directly in front of Buckingham Fountain. The street race will pass through the famed Grant Park, as well as approach the northern edge of Soldier Field, one of the most notable and recognizable sports venues in the country – and the site of the only other Cup Series race to take place in Downtown Chicago, in 1956.
“The first-ever NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend will be even more exhilarating with the addition of the bright stars of the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said Julie Giese, President, Chicago Street Race. “As NASCAR celebrates its 75th anniversary season, the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series competing along the shores of Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago will be an historic moment for the sport.”
The first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street race will take place on Sunday, July 2, 2023, and will be preceded by the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Both races will be surrounded by music and entertainment options for all ages.
Traffic returns to normal mid-July but for a short time until Lollapalooza comes to Chicago late July/Early August.
Danielle Sanders is a multimedia professional with over 20 years of experience as a writer, journalist, and editor. Danielle frequently covers politics, local news, and entertainment.