NASCAR And Chicago Park District Sued for Death of a Track Worker

What’s Happening?

A lawsuit has been filed against NASCAR and the Chicago Park District in relation to the death of construction worker Duane Tabinski. Tabinski, a contractor hired by NASCAR to work on the Chicago Street Course, was killed after he was electrocuted while working on setting up the track. According to Clifford Law Offices, the lawsuit, filed by Tabinski’s widow, Kristin, alleges that NASCAR and the Chicago Park District were “Negligent in their failing to take proper safety precautions to protect Tabinski.”

• According to ABC7 Chicago, Tabinski was working on audio equipment at the street track. Coworkers claimed that he was setting up a “Tracpac”, which he invented himself. He is survived by his wife and two kids.
• According to Clifford Law Offices, the lawsuit was originally filed on March 19th in the Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago by Kevin P. Durkin and Daniel L. Clayton. It alleges that “NASCAR failed to properly maintain a safe condition, failed to inspect the premises, and failed to comply with industry standards related to the event’s production”. Other companies named include United Rentals, Malo Communications Services, and McGuire Scenic.
• This is another bout of rough publicity for NASCAR and the Chicago Street Race. The event was controversial in 2023, and it’s uncertain what the future of the event is beyond the final year of the contract in 2025.