What you should know about NASCAR street race July 5-6
Are you ready for some racing, Chicago?
NASCAR is gearing up for a more streamlined Chicago Street Race weekend event on July 5-6, with an accelerated setup/breakdown schedule that is likely to reduce the frustration of the city's drivers.
The race, which is in its third year, will once again feature a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course through Grant Park, down DuSable Lake Shore Drive and up Michigan Avenue, which will be closed off and lined with fences, grandstands and hospitality suites. But a relocated concert stage will replace the Skyline, a mammoth temporary structure along Columbus Drive that last year housed the most expensive suites overlooking the start/finish line at Buckingham Fountain.
The Chicago Street Race features an Xfinity Series race on Saturday, July 5, and the Grant Park 165 Cup Series race on Sunday, July 6. One musical act — southern rockers the Zac Brown Band — are scheduled to play after the Xfinity Series race.
The buildout and breakdown of the pop-up racecourse in Grant Park have been reduced to 25 days, shaving nearly two weeks off last year's construction schedule for the July Fourth weekend event.
The first street closing is scheduled for June 19 — nine days later than last summer — with Balbo Drive shutting down from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. In addition to several lane and temporary closings, Ida B. Wells will be the next full street closing from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive beginning June 23.
Street closings will pick up speed in and around Grant Park the week before the event, culminating with the complete shutdowns of DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Randolph Street to McFetridge Drive, and Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Monroe Street, beginning July 3.
Are rain delays the NASCAR Chicago Street Race's superpower? The course 'puts on a great show,' Jeff Gordon saysMichigan Avenue is expected to be fully reopened by the morning of Monday, July 7, along with northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The southbound lanes of DuSable Lake Shore Drive are scheduled to reopen before midnight on July 8.
The last trace of the street course is scheduled to be removed by July 14, also days ahead of last year's timetable.
Read more about the full schedule of activities for the weekend, along with what you can bring and other FAQs.
Thursday, June 19, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Full closing of Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. 'No Parking' restrictions will be put in place along southbound and northbound Columbus Drive between Jackson Drive and Balbo Drive.
Friday, June 20, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Curb lane closing on northbound and southbound Columbus between Jackson and Balbo.
Monday, June 23, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Full closing of Ida B. Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus, westbound between Congress Plaza Drive and Michigan Avenue will remain open and eastbound will be closed.
Monday, June 23, beginning at 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.: Tuesday, June 24: Temporary closing of northbound Michigan Avenue between Congress Plaza Drive and Jackson Drive.
Wednesday, June 25, beginning at 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Thursday, June 26: Temporary closing of northbound Columbus Drive between Balbo and Jackson.
Chicago Street Race adds Arby's as major sponsor for July Fourth NASCAR eventThursday, June 26, beginning at 10 p.m.: Closing of Jackson Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.
Friday, June 27, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Closing of Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue.
Saturday, June 28, beginning at 10 p.m.: Closing of Congress Plaza Drive.
Monday, June 30, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Closing of Columbus from Jackson to Roosevelt Road.
Wednesday, July 2, beginning at 10 p.m.: Closing of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Road from Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Thursday, July 3, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Closing of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Randolph Street and McFetridge Road.
Thursday, July 3, beginning at 10 p.m.: Closing of northbound and southbound Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt to Jackson and northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Randolph and McFetridge.
Race weekend street closings – Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6:
Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Randolph to McFetridge.
Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive from McFetridge to Randolph.
Northbound Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt to Monroe.
Southbound Michigan Avenue from south of Monroe to 8th Street.
Monroe from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Columbus from Roosevelt to Monroe.
Roosevelt from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Avenue.
Jackson from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Balbo from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Ida B. Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus.
Congress Plaza Drive from Harrison to Van Buren.
Northbound Indiana Avenue from Roosevelt to 13th Street.
Post Place: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Drive.
Garvey Court.: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Drive.
Sunday, July 6 – Monday, July 7: Select streets will begin reopening following the conclusion of the event. NOTE: The priority streets to reopen are DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue. Other street closures will remain in effect as the breakdown of the track wall, fence and viewing structures takes place.
Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive will begin reopening Monday, July 7 at 6 a.m., with all NASCAR-related breakdown activity expected to conclude by end of day July 14.
Because this is a big event, the city is encouraging people to take public transportation, and CTA and Metra said they will provide beefed-up service over the weekend.
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