The video above is from a previous report.
CHICAGO (WGN) — One of NASCAR’s signature events returns to Chicago for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, as the city hosts the motorsports giant’s Street Race downtown for a third straight year.
In preparation for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race revving through the Windy City once again this weekend, here are four things to know:
Downpours
Rain led to delays in each of the first two NASCAR Chicago Street Races.
Last year’s race was ultimately shortened because of the weather.
For all the drama that the weather can bring, does it ultimately spoil the race? There’s speculation that NASCAR may be relocating the Street Race concept to San Diego —a city with more reliably sunny conditions.
Downsized
This year’s event will feature a smaller concert lineup, but will still include a major headliner, the Zac Brown Band.
There will be a scaled-back hospitality area, reduced ticket prices, and a shorter setup and breakdown schedule.
“We said from Day 1 we were going to learn a lot in the first year in how we set up the course and take it down, and we’ve really evolved over the last two years, and it has allowed us to take two more weeks off of that build and tear down schedule,” said Julie Giese, president of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.
Downtown
Despite complaints about closing parts of Grant Park and major city streets for weeks, there is a positive: Last year’s race brought nearly 75,000 people from 24 countries and 46 states to Chicago.
It generated a total economic impact of $128 million, including nearly $49 million spent at bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops.
“We’re bringing people in to visit Chicago – it’s a holiday weekend. They’re spending their time around the city, staying in hotels, eating at our restaurants, going to our attractions,” Giese said.
Downshift
The narrow track and sharp turns make for one of the most challenging courses in NASCAR, and drivers have to ride the brakes.
“It’s so different from the norm. I enjoy road course racing. I’m not the best at it, I’ve gotten better, but I’ve always enjoyed it because it was so different from turning left, right?” NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace told WGN-TV on Jan. 28.
Seven of the 12 turns on the 2.2-mile course are sharp, 90-degree angles.
“Yes, there are some tight turns, turn seven, turn 11 being another one, and turn four over DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt Road. Our drivers talk about that being the hardest turn, so you just see all of those things come together. It’s really unique and a lot of fun,” Giese said.
There will be two races this weekend: the Xfinity Series race is the Loop 110 on Saturday, and the NASCAR Cup Series Race is the Grant Park 165 on Sunday. The races are strenuous and scenic.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
