After three years of racing through downtown Chicago, NASCAR is hitting the pause button on the Street Race in 2026. Despite being promoted as a success — with over $236 million in economic impact and tens of millions in media value — the city and NASCAR are stepping back to “reimagine” the event. They insist it’s not a cancellation but a break, aiming to return in 2027. Still, it raises eyebrows. Why shelve an “iconic” race with global attention? The 2024 edition felt quieter, aired on TNT with little fanfare compared to the NBC-backed spectacle of years prior. The city also cited strain on police and local infrastructure during the July 4th weekend, an issue since the beginning.
As NASCAR pieces together its 2026 calendar, questions swirl. Mexico is waiting in the wings. San Diego wants in. And Chicagoland Speedway’s revival could play a role. The risk? This “pause” starts to look a lot like what happened to Auto Club. The Windy City goes silent in 2026 — but for how long? Sound off with your thoughts below.
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