A 2026 Chicago Street Race is Looking Unlikely

What’s Happening?

Though NASCAR is in the final year of its contract with the city, fans have yet to write off a 2026 race on NASCAR’s Chicago Street Circuit. However, a new report claims there is a “growing sense” that the race will not be in Grant Park in 2026.

• The rumors that NASCAR would not return for a fourth year of racing on the 2.140-mile circuit have swelled for some time now, specifically since NASCAR pulled the Clash from the LA Coliseum after its third year.
• While some rumors pointed to other street circuits or ovals for 2026, little to no insight has been provided into the sentiment in the Garage area on returning to Chicago in 2026. Now, in his latest MailBag, Jordan Bianchi of the Athletic claims “It’s not clear whether NASCAR will return next year, but there is a growing sense in the garage that it may be time to conclude the partnership.”
• If the race does not return, a long-rumored option is adding a race to the West Coast. Bianchi mentions the oft-rumored race in the Pacific Northwest alongside a street race in San Diego, the leading candidate to replace Chicago, which could happen as soon as 2027.
• A race in Southern California is a key pursuit of NASCAR, which still has no clear plan for the future of the disheveled Auto Club Speedway. However, there would be a gap year should they head to San Diego in 2027. Bianchi addresses the abandoned 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway as “a worthy stopgap,” should NASCAR need to fill that slot.

All Confirmed Dates on the 2026 NASCAR Schedule (So Far)

All Confirmed Dates on the 2026 NASCAR Schedule (So Far)

What’s Happening? As we roll into the 2025 NASCAR season, rumors and confirmations for the 2026 NASCAR National Series Schedules will…

Read More

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.