NASCAR Chicago Street Race Faces Backlash As Local Residents Speak Out

Newsweek

08-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The NASCAR Chicago Street race is facing concerns from local residents ahead of its return for the third year of racing in the city in July.
The Chicago Police met with local residents along with NASCAR representatives on Wednesday, according to a report from CBS News. One resident, Paul Wasserman, claimed, "It's really tough on the neighborhood during NASCAR.
"Occasionally when there's an event going on down here, you get like a bad day or maybe a bad night for like a Beyoncé concert [at Soldier Field] or something, but this is like that, but for however long NSACAR goes on."
He added:
"I understand that we might have to live with it, but if it were elsewhere, I'd be happier."
Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota, and Zane Smith, driver of the #71 Focused Health Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 07,...
Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota, and Zane Smith, driver of the #71 Focused Health Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. MoreCentral (1st) District police Cmdr. David Harris responded to residents concerns, explaining:
"I understand it's a lot of people live down here, and they're not interested in their front yard being a party every weekend."
NASCAR's response
President of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Julie Giese commented:
"We have been working very hard to minimize those disruptions."
Giese also addressed the amount of time NASCAR is in the city for, which is expected to be a total of 25 days of disruptions from setup to to clearing up the course. She added:
"We're going to continue to get better at this," Giese said.
NASCAR Chicago Street Race contract
NASCAR officials announced a three-year contract extension for the Chicago Street Race in 2023, which will see it's agreement conclude at the end of the current season.
Steve O'Donnell, who recently took the role of NASCAR President, commented on the future of the event in December 2024. He explained, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:
"For us, we're just looking at 2025. It'll be the third year of a three-year run, and each year we've wanted to build upon the momentum that we have.
"We've learned things each and every year — it's our first street race, a lot of learnings came from that."
He added:
"[There are] a number of folks who are interested at looking at NASCAR from a street race [perspective].
"We are certainly interested in California and the Southern California market, and that will continue to be a focus for us, but nothing to confirm at this point."
Giese also responded to questions about the event's future during the Wednesday meeting, to which she stated:
"Again, right now, our focus is on this year's event. We have those option years. We'll have those conversations."