Latest news with #NASCARChicagoStreetRace
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
NASCAR Mourns The Loss of Champion and Hall of Famer Rex White
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NASCAR mourned the passing of Rex White, a Hall of Famer and 1960 Cup Series champion, who passed away at the age of 95. White raced in 233 Cup races over a span of nine years from 1956 to 1964. The NASCAR legend carried an average finish position of 9th, finishing in the top five in 110 races and winning a total of 28 races. White was also famous for being one of the first Chevrolet drivers in NASCAR. NASCAR also hosted a Convertible Series, in which White scored a victory in 1959. He was also named one of the 50 best drivers in the sport's history in 1998. In 2015, White became a part of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. NASCAR CEO Jim France acknowledged White's contributions to the sport. He said in a statement posted on X: NASCAR Hall of Famer Rex White speaks with the media after the 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 30, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NASCAR Hall of Famer Rex White speaks with the media after the 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 30, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina."We mourn the loss of NASCAR Champion and Hall of Famer, Rex White. Rex epitomized the formative days of NASCAR — a true pioneer whose contributions helped shape the foundation of our sport. His hard work, dedication, and talent allowed him to make a living doing what he loved most — racing cars. "He was the model of consistency — finishing in the top five in nearly half of his races — and dominated the short tracks. On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, I want to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Rex White." Statement from NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France regarding Rex White's passing: "We mourn the loss of NASCAR Champion and Hall of Famer, Rex White. Rex epitomized the formative days of NASCAR — a true pioneer whose contributions helped shape the foundation of our sport. His… — NASCAR Communications (@NASCAR_Comms) July 18, 2025 Our thoughts are with White's family at this difficult time. NASCAR made another important announcement recently. The sport revealed a one-year pause on the Chicago street race, and as a result, the venue will not be on NASCAR's 2026 calendar. "It is reported that the City of Chicago wanted to move the dates from July. NASCAR admitted that it was working with city officials on a plan that "further optimizes operational efficiencies" for the street race's return in 2027. It stated: "Thank you for all you have done to make the NASCAR Chicago Street Race one of the most iconic events in global sports. "Following the success of the first three years, the Chicago Street Race will hit pause in 2026 to afford us the time necessary to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago to explore a new potential date and to develop a plan that further optimizes operational efficiencies, with a goal to return to the streets of Chicago in 2027. "Together, we have built and grown an expanded community of fans that consists of longtime NASCAR enthusiasts and first-time racegoers from around the globe, and for that, we are immensely grateful. "Thank you for your continued support - and we look forward to seeing you at the races."
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Why NASCAR Chicago Street Race Has Been Dropped From 2026 Calendar
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NASCAR released an official statement announcing a pause on the Chicago street race in 2026. The event has been dropped from the sport's calendar for next year so that NASCAR could work with the City of Chicago to form a plan that "further optimizes operational efficiencies." The objective is to bring the street race back in 2027. The announcement came nearly two weeks after the 2025 street race in Chicago, where Shane van Gisbergen secured the Cup Series victory. The venue holds an important place in NASCAR history since it is the sport's first street race venue. Chicago made its street race debut in 2023 under a three-year deal that lasted until this year. It is reported that Chicago city officials wanted a shift in the dates next year, which prompted NASCAR to consider a pause and form plans for the race's return the following year, in 2027. The statement posted by NASCAR on X read: "Thank you for all you have done to make the NASCAR Chicago Street Race one of the most iconic events in global sports. Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Dow Coatings Chevrolet, and Thomas Annunziata, driver of the #6 Opti-Coat Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 110 at Chicago Street Course on July 06, 2024... Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Dow Coatings Chevrolet, and Thomas Annunziata, driver of the #6 Opti-Coat Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 110 at Chicago Street Course on July 06, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. More Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images "Following the success of the first three years, the Chicago Street Race will hit pause in 2026 to afford us the time necessary to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago to explore a new potential date and to develop a plan that further optimizes operational efficiencies, with a goal to return to the streets of Chicago in 2027. "Together, we have built and grown an expanded community of fans that consists of longtime NASCAR enthusiasts and first-time racegoers from around the globe, and for that, we are immensely grateful. "Thank you for your continued support - and we look forward to seeing you at the races." NASCAR fans have expressed disappointment at the announcement, with many looking forward to its return in 2027. Some reactions are stated below: This fan wishes the race takes place in September in the future: "Great memories the last 3 years. If they bring it back, use a different weekend, ideally in September. Locals who would want to be there leave town 4th of July and a lot of people who'd want to visit the city won't do it 4th of July because they're on their boats or whatever." Great memories the last 3 years. If they bring it back, use a different weekend, ideally in September. Locals who would want to be there leave town 4th of July and a lot of people who'd want to visit the city won't do it 4th of July because they're on their boats or whatever. — Brian (@brianhboyle) July 18, 2025 A street course fan spotted: "This sucks! Take away the road courses or boring ovals and race more street courses." This sucks! Take away the road courses or boring ovals and race more street courses. — Anthony McLain (@AnthonyMcLain) July 18, 2025 This fan enjoyed street races more than ovals: "Thats extremely disappointing. Understand among nascar fans it was not too enjoyed - but as an outsider just getting into it, I thoroughly enjoyed this race. I think most of the Nascar fans hating this race are stuck in denial. Watching a car go in a circle will not draw new fans" [sic] Thats extremely disappointing. Understand among nascar fans it was not too enjoyed - but as an outsider just getting into it, I thoroughly enjoyed this race. I think most of the Nascar fans hating this race are stuck in denial. Watching a car go in a circle will not draw new fans — Steven (@hughejasz) July 18, 2025 Straight from the heart of a NASCAR fan in Reno: "Came in from Reno the last two years to visit family, but more specifically to go to this race. both years it was enjoyable (2023 more, as more to do and rain!) But this is how racing should be in stock cars. Hopefully its back in a couple years." Came in from Reno the last two years to visit family, but more specifically to go to this race. both years it was enjoyable (2023 more, as more to do and rain!) But this is how racing should be in stock cars. Hopefully its back in a couple years. — DJ (@chitownDJ) July 18, 2025 A fan expressing gratitude for the great times: "We all had some good moments with this track. Too bad we will not get another race next year, I hope we will in the next two years. Until then, thank you for the good times."
NBC Sports
4 days ago
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
Chicago Street Race won't be on NASCAR schedule in 2026
NASCAR has informed the city of Chicago that it will not hold a street race there next year but leaves open the possibility of returning in 2027. This month's race marked the third consecutive year that NASCAR competed on the streets of Chicago. NASCAR's agreement with the city was for three years (2023-25) with the option of two additional years (2026 and 2027). Julie Giese, president of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, sent a letter Friday to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson informing him of NASCAR's decision to not race there next year. In the letter, Giese wrote that by skipping the event in 2026 it will 'afford us the time necessary to work collaboratively with your office and other community leaders to explore a new potential race date and to develop a plan that further optimizes operational efficiencies on the course build and breakdown while continuing our presence in the local community. 'Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, as we work together towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule, and additional tourism draws.' The Chicago Street Race was held near July 4 weekend each of the past three years. Giese explained in the letter to the Chicago mayor that the reason to 'pause' the event is that 'as we reflect on three successful years in Chicago, it is a priority for us to continue to be responsive to the feedback we've heard from residents, downtown stakeholders, and your administration.' Shane van Gisbergen won the inaugural Chicago Street Race in 2023 in his series debut. That race averaged a Total Audience Delivery of 4.795 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most-watched NASCAR Cup Series race on NBC since the 2017 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. Viewership peaked at 5.383 million when van Gisbergen took the checkered flag. Alex Bowman won the race in 2024 and van Gisbergen won this year's event.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
NASCAR won't hold Chicago Street Race in 2026 while exploring new date, shorter buildout
Two weeks after its third annual Fourth of July weekend run through Grant Park, NASCAR has made the decision not to hold the Chicago Street Race in 2026, leaving open the door to return on a different date the following year. In a letter Friday to Mayor Brandon Johnson, NASCAR said it is pausing the race because it needs more time to reschedule the event and further reduce the buildout and breakdown time of the pop-up racecourse in response to ongoing concerns expressed by the city. 'Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, as we work together towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule, and additional tourism draws,' Julie Giese, NASCAR Chicago Street Race president, said in the letter. Giese said the NASCAR Chicago office will remain open as they 'work collaboratively' with the city to reschedule the street race, further optimize 'operational efficiencies' on the buildout and potentially find ways to enhance the event's appeal as a tourism draw. NASCAR also pledges to remain active in its community engagement efforts next year, despite pausing the actual Chicago race, Giese said. 'We appreciate NASCAR's dedication to the City of Chicago and their commitment to continuing their community engagement efforts, particularly their support of STEM education for our city's young people,' a mayor's office spokesperson said in a statement. 'We look forward to resuming discussions around a potential return of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in 2027.' The city just completed its three-year agreement with NASCAR to host the street race, which made its inaugural run in the summer of 2023. The deal, struck during former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration, included a two-year renewal option. Mayor Johnson made it clear in the wake of the third run that the city wants to move the race away from the busy Independence Day weekend to reduce the strain on law enforcement, among other concerns. Under the terms of the original agreement, NASCAR paid the Chicago Park District a $500,000 permit fee in 2023, $550,000 in 2024 and $605,000 this year, as well as a $2 fee per admission ticket and an escalating commission for food, beverage and merchandise sold at the event. NASCAR also agreed to pay an additional $2 million for city expenses beginning in 2024. In addition to a different date, the city is looking at a more favorable financial arrangement and speeding up the setup and breakdown times for the temporary race course, which plies a 12-turn, 2.2-mile circuit through Grant Park, down DuSable Lake Shore Drive and up Michigan Avenue. The disruption wrought by the event has been a point of contention for residents and area businesses. This year, NASCAR streamlined the buildout and reduced major street closings, fully opening up the last road — Balbo between Columbus and DuSable Lake Shore Drive — on Saturday, two days ahead of schedule. The first street race ever produced by NASCAR has weathered challenging conditions, including significant rain delays the first two years, and ongoing debates about the net benefits for the city. Last year, the street race generated $128 million in total economic impact and drew 53,036 unique visitors, according to a study commissioned by Choose Chicago, the city's tourism arm. The nationally televised Cup Series race also generated $43.6 million in media value for Chicago, according to a companion report. While attendance figures for the event have yet to be released, TV ratings for the Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6 were down for the third consecutive year, averaging 2.1 million viewers on cable channel TNT, according to Nielsen. The Xfinity race on July 5 averaged 1.1 million viewers on its new TV home, the CW broadcast network, according to Nielsen. Shane van Gisbergen, who won the inaugural Cup Series event in 2023, took the checkered flag once again this year, and also won the Xfinity race, as rain stayed away for the first time in the Chicago Street Race's three-year history. Beyond the Chicago pause for 2026, NASCAR is reportedly in negotiations to hold a street race in San Diego next year. Whether that's in addition to, or perhaps a replacement for Chicago, remains to be seen. rchannick@
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Daywatch: Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss receives endorsement in congressional run
Good morning, Chicago. Evanston Mayor and former state legislator Daniel Biss' progressive credentials got a boost this morning with an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Illinois' increasingly crowded 9th Congressional District Democratic primary race. Warren, a three-term senator from Massachusetts and briefly a front-runner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, announced she was backing Biss in a statement shared with the Tribune in which she praised the two-term mayor as 'a relentless fighter for working people who can help deliver the structural change our country needs right now.' The nod from Warren could carry some extra weight as more than a dozen candidates vie for the chance to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Evanston Democrat who announced in May that she would not seek a 15th term representing a district covering parts of the North Side, North Shore and northwest suburbs. Read the full story from the Tribune's Dan Petrella. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including Rush scaling back gender-affirming care, where the 'granny flat' ordinance stands with the City Council and viewership for this year's NASCAR Chicago Street Race. Today's eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History A federal grand jury indicted a man yesterday on charges that he fatally shot a prominent Minnesota state representative and her husband and seriously wounded a state senator and his wife while he was allegedly disguised as a police officer. Rush University System for Health is the latest Illinois hospital system to scale back its gender-affirming care for minors, amid threats from the Trump administration against institutions that provide such care. Rush has 'paused' offering hormonal care to new patients under the age of 18, effective July 1, spokesperson Tobin Klinger confirmed. Aldermen advanced a measure that could legalize 'granny flats' citywide with limited restrictions, a move advocates say will create more affordable housing. The City Council's Zoning Committee voted 13-7 to advance the additional dwelling unit ordinance. The result tees up a vote today by the full City Council, when aldermen could give a green light clearing the way for new garden apartments, attic-to-housing conversions and coach housing. Aurora officials have found high levels of lead in the drinking water supplied to some homes. Between January and June, 100 samples were collected and tested for lead using recently-heightened federal sampling and monitoring requirements, according to city officials. More than 10% of the samples contained lead readings above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 'action level,' meaning the city is now required to take certain actions, such as replacing lead service lines, adjusting water treatment practices and implementing public education programs. A man was shot on the Near North Side Monday about two years after he was released from a 100-year prison sentence for his part in the April 2014 killing of 14-year old Endia Martin, according to police sources. Reports of fewer fireflies in recent years have sparked worry for the future of the insect's population. However, increased sightings this summer have boosted hopes for the survival of the insect. The third and potentially final NASCAR Chicago Street Race made a few firsts during the Fourth of July weekend. Rain stayed away, the races ran to completion and two new networks broadcast the events to a national TV audience. Shane van Gisbergen, who won the inaugural Cup Series race in 2023, took the checkered flag once again this year, but far fewer people saw it. Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-2 in his All-Star debut, while teammate Kyle Tucker was 0-for-2 with a nice catch in left field, writes Paul Sullivan. The National League blew a 6-0 lead in the final three innings, watching the American League tie it on Steven Kwan's RBI infield hit off Edwin Díaz with two outs in the ninth. The game ended in a tie, which led to the first-ever swing-off between the two sides, an abbreviated Home Run Derby with six players. The Blackhawks agreed to terms yesterday on a three-year, entry-level contract with forward Anton Frondell, whom they drafted with the No. 3 pick last month. The deal carries a $975,000 salary-cap hit. When the Hawks last drafted third in 2019, forward Kirby Dach's three-year contract had a $925,000 cap hit. The new Disney tour of 'Beauty and the Beast' playing this summer at the Cadillac Palace Theatre is introducing bookish Belle, clever Chip and garrulous Gaston to younger generations who were not even born in 1993 when Disney decided to take a stab at turning an animated movie into a Broadway musical. They're also unlikely to know the significance of this particular musical in the history of the art form. But in fact, 'Beauty and the Beast' sparked a revolution in bringing family audiences back to Broadway. And the success of the show changed the face of the Disney organization. Mustard on deep dish? Bizarre. Does it work? Apparently, yes, according to the good folks at Portillo's and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, who are teaming up for a new crosstown collaboration: The Chicago Dog Deep Dish. On this day in 2019, after eluding capture for a week in the Humboldt Park lagoon, a 5-foot alligator nicknamed 'Chance the Snapper' appeared for a news conference with its trapper Frank Robb. The gator was relocated to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida.
