Excitement Builds as Chicago Street Course Construction Continues

What’s Happening?

The Chicago Street Race is now almost a week away, and the race track is continuing to take shape. Robert Channick of the Chicago Tribune reported how the construction of the street race course has gone. Within it, NASCAR director of civil engineering Jeremy Casperson mentioned how Southbound Michigan Avenue will not be closed until 5 pm on June 30th, meaning that the construction of the track will not end until the night before the race.

• Channick also reported about the street course ticket sales, stating that multiple sections of reserved seats are already sold out. This is definitely encouraging to see that the race is attracting a good crowd. Given that it is a new event in a relatively untested market, good ticket sales are good to see.
• The Chicago Street Race has experienced some tough publicity in the days and weeks leading up to the race. However, the recent endorsement of Mayor Brandon Johnson has been welcome to NASCAR, and the recent ticket sales and planning of the event has been positive.
• Many drivers, race teams, and Chicago entities have been working on promoting this event in Chicago. It’s obvious how important this event is, and the publicity is seeming to improve. As far as how local residents are embracing the event, that is more mixed.

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Around the Garage

Ty Dillon’s Spire Motorsports car will be sponsored by the Chicago White Sox, and the White Sox are hosting a NASCAR night on July 23rd.

Ray Evernham will throw out the first pitch at that White Sox game.

John Hunter Nemechek was in Chicago on Thursday to promote the race.

The Cubs are even running their own NASCAR night the week of the race.

In the Stands

Mereditth Wood Bahuriak is very much against NASCAR in Chicago.

Melissa is not happy either.

Eric Vigneau is starting to come around to the idea of the Chicago Street Race.

Mike Curry says that the race will at least look cool.

A Random Joe talks as an outside about the impact of this event on locals.

Alexander is still not happy with giving up Road America.

MrPissant has been highly anticipating this race.

From the Pressbox

Julie Giese, who is the President of the Chicago Street Race, recently talked to the media about, goals, expectations, and hurdles of the event.

It’s almost go-time for the Chicago Street Race an event that has received a lot of scrutiny. This upcoming week is the week with the highest traffic disruptions, but tickets sales are seemingly pretty solid. Ultimately, we are going to have to be until next weekend to see how the event works.