NASCAR Calls it Quits on Chicago Street Race (Update)

What’s Happening?

NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race officially confirmed that the track will not be on the 2026 NASCAR National Series schedule, saying that they will “hit pause in 2026.” Though they made it clear their goal is to return to the Windy City by 2027.

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— NASCAR Chicago Street Race (@NASCARChicago) July 18, 2025

According to the Chicago Street Race’s release, the city and the track are seeking a new race date to allow time to “develop a plan that further optimizes operational efficiencies.”

“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.”

While this leaves room for questions about the circuit’s future, pending a new date, the question remains of whether or not this will actually happen.

NASCAR says they need time “to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago,” which is similar to the “wait and see” attitude that NASCAR fans have heard many times about other tracks, such as the abandoned and now semi-demolished Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

It is no secret that NASCAR will race on the streets of San Diego in 2026, and an announcement is expected soon. Furthermore, NASCAR is also exploring a return to Chicagoland Speedway, and this announcement definitely leaves the door open for both options to happen next season.

The Chicago Street Race’s NASCAR Legacy

The Chicago street race, the NASCAR Cup Series’ first street circuit, debuted in 2023, replacing Wisconsin’s Road America on the NASCAR schedule. While fans mostly enjoyed the Street Race’s time, there has been yearly pushback from its inception from traditionalists both in the fandom and the garage area.

This year, the pushback on the race was not the nature of a street circuit but the large number of road courses on the NASCAR schedule. In 2019, the sport had only three; now, that number is up to six. However, the track has grown to have a large fanbase that loves the views of the Chicago skyline and the unique difficulty of the 12-turn, 2.140-mile road course in Grant Park.

Aside from the cool visuals the circuit brought to the calendar, the impact and attention the event has brought to the sport is unmatched. Whether that was the direct line it provided into the heart of a major city, or seeing Shane van Gisbergen, an international racing superstar, win in his first career start at the circuit’s debut in 2023.

For all updates on the 2026 NASCAR Schedule, including news and rumors, make sure to check out our article on the 2026 NASCAR Calendar.

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