NASCAR to review delay in caution with Cody Ware's crash at Chicago
A brake rotor failure sent Ware head-on into the tire barrier at Turn 6 with two laps left . NASCAR did not call for a caution until after winner Shane van Gisbergen had begun the final lap.
Dustin Long,
Brad Moran, Cup series managing director, explained Tuesday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio why officials didn't immediately throw the caution after Ware's accident.
'Unfortunately, we didn't have the actual footage of the impact of the car getting into the tire barrier,' Moran said. 'That's something that we're going to take back. We're going to look at if we go back to Chicago. We'll be looking at certain areas of that racetrack and definitely improving that situation.'
NASCAR had a three-year contract with the city of Chicago to race in Grant Park. There are option years available but the deal has not been extended.
NASCAR officials for the Chicago race were in an area similar to a TV production truck with multiple monitors in front of them showing views of the track from various cameras.
'If we would have had a shot of Cody's impact there, the caution would have come out immediately,' Moran said. 'But it was thrown immediately when he dropped his window net. We give them the opportunity to pull out (of the tire barrier), but if we would have had that first shot, we would have known that car wasn't pulling out.
'So, that's on us. We're going to go back, we're going to review it.'
From Cody Ware's onboard. He'd apparently been saying the right front had been locking up but didn't confirm if it was a tire or brake failure before getting out of the car.
Tough ending to what had been a great run for him. https://t.co/YgTC90rWZt pic.twitter.com/5BleyEWnsq
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
2025 WNBA Power Rankings (Week 8): Storm surge; Lynx rebound from Commissioner's Cup loss
The Minnesota Lynx may have lost the Commissioner's Cup to the Indiana Fever, but right now, it's them and then every other team. The Seattle Storm are working their way up the rankings, while teams like the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings shuffle spots at the bottom. Between the Commissioner's Cup and All-Star announcements, it was another busy week in the WNBA, and with another week, comes updated power rankings. WNBA Power Rankings These rankings reflect where each WNBA team stands after week eight of the 2025 season. Teams are ranked 1-13 and are grouped by tiers. Past Rankings: Preseason, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7 Minnesota Lynx (17-2) | Prior Rank: 1 - The Minnesota Lynx played 4 games last week, which included the 2025 Commissioner's Cup, a game that they loss. But since the Cup doesn't count towards the regular season standings, the Lynx were a perfect 3-0 in week 8, which includes a gritty, come-from-behind win over the Chicago Sky on the second night of a back-to-back. All the Minnesota Lynx do is win, and they were rewarded with two All-Stars, Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams, as a result. They will also grab the top spot in these power rankings for the third week in a row. COURT IS HEADED TO ALL-STAR. ⭐️ Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 6, 2025 Minnesota Lynx (17-2) | Prior Rank: 1 - The Minnesota Lynx played 4 games last week, which included the 2025 Commissioner's Cup, a game that they loss. But since the Cup doesn't count towards the regular season standings, the Lynx were a perfect 3-0 in week 8, which includes a gritty, come-from-behind win over the Chicago Sky on the second night of a back-to-back. All the Minnesota Lynx do is win, and they were rewarded with two All-Stars, Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams, as a result. They will also grab the top spot in these power rankings for the third week in a row. COURT IS HEADED TO ALL-STAR. ⭐️ Phoenix Mercury (13-6) | Prior Rank: 2 - The Mercury will hold on to No. 2 for another week after snapping a two-game losing streak. What's concerning for the Mercury is after just recently becoming whole, both Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper had to miss their game against the Dallas Wings on Monday due to ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively. Sabally, one of the team's two All-Stars this year, was spotted in a walking boot on Sunday during the team's practice. Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally is in a boot on her right leg. #WNBA Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) July 6, 2025 Fortunately for the Mercury, their other All-Star is Alyssa Thomas, and with Thomas on the court, the team will always have a chance. She connects everything for the Mercury. She's their best, most important and most valuable player. This marks the 15th time the Phoenix Mercury has had multiple All-Stars in the same season! Greatness isn't new in Phoenix. This Is Mercury Basketball. Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 6, 2025 Thomas stuffed the stat sheet and notched the 12th triple-double of her career in the Mercury's dominant 102-72 win over the Dallas Wings. Another game, another triple-double for AT 🔄 Alyssa Thomas dropped 15 PTS, 10 REB, 15 AST, & 2 STL to notch her 12th career triple-double vs. the Wings. This also marks her 3rd career game with 15+ PTS and 15+ AST, passing Courtney Vandersloot for most in WNBA history!… WNBA (@WNBA) July 8, 2025 However, her teammate Sami Whitcomb, stole the show with a career-high 36 points and seven made threes on the night. Her 29 points in the first half is the most points scored in a half by a WNBA player this season. Sami Whitcomb was ELECTRIC in her career-high performance vs. Dallas ⚡️ 36 PTS (12-19 FG) 7 3PM (7-11 3PT) 6 REB 2 STL#WelcometotheW WNBA (@WNBA) July 8, 2025 The Mercury have been winning games all season with starters missing from the lineup. This is what they do. They get key contributions from across their team, and based on recent reporting, more help may be on the way. With the second best record in the league, they land the No. 2 spot for the third week in a row. DeWanna Bonner is expected to sign with the Mercury, per @MAVoepel. Bonner would be making a return to Phoenix where she played 10 seasons and won two titles. Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 8, 2025 Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally is in a boot on her right leg. #WNBA This marks the 15th time the Phoenix Mercury has had multiple All-Stars in the same season! Greatness isn't new in Phoenix. This Is Mercury Basketball. Another game, another triple-double for AT 🔄 Alyssa Thomas dropped 15 PTS, 10 REB, 15 AST, & 2 STL to notch her 12th career triple-double vs. the Wings. This also marks her 3rd career game with 15+ PTS and 15+ AST, passing Courtney Vandersloot for most in WNBA history!… Sami Whitcomb was ELECTRIC in her career-high performance vs. Dallas ⚡️ 36 PTS (12-19 FG) 7 3PM (7-11 3PT) 6 REB 2 STL#WelcometotheW DeWanna Bonner is expected to sign with the Mercury, per @MAVoepel. Bonner would be making a return to Phoenix where she played 10 seasons and won two titles. Atlanta Dream (12-7) | Prior Rank: 3 - The Dream are 1-1 in their last two home games with a one-point loss to the Seattle Storm and a win over the Golden State Valkyries. The Dream were without Rhyne Howard for their matchup with the Storm, but a familiar foe is why they lost that game. They have not been able to consistently overcome their late game execution issues in close games. Against the the Valkyries on Monday, they did, and it resulted in a win. The Dream and Storm have identical records and they have split their head-to-head matchups this season. The Storm do have the most recent win, but Atlanta was missing one of their two All-Stars, Rhyne Howard (Allisha Gray being the other). More importantly, while Seattle and Atlanta are nearly tied in Defensive Rating (99.7 and 99.9 respectively), the Dream have a better Offensive and overall Net Rating (6.6 as compared to 3.9). For now, that's enough for Atlanta to edge out Seattle for No. 3 this week. Well deserved @howard_rhyne 🥹 Make ATL proud. #DoItForTheDream Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 6, 2025 Atlanta Dream (12-7) | Prior Rank: 3 - The Dream are 1-1 in their last two home games with a one-point loss to the Seattle Storm and a win over the Golden State Valkyries. The Dream were without Rhyne Howard for their matchup with the Storm, but a familiar foe is why they lost that game. They have not been able to consistently overcome their late game execution issues in close games. Against the the Valkyries on Monday, they did, and it resulted in a win. The Dream and Storm have identical records and they have split their head-to-head matchups this season. The Storm do have the most recent win, but Atlanta was missing one of their two All-Stars, Rhyne Howard (Allisha Gray being the other). More importantly, while Seattle and Atlanta are nearly tied in Defensive Rating (99.7 and 99.9 respectively), the Dream have a better Offensive and overall Net Rating (6.6 as compared to 3.9). For now, that's enough for Atlanta to edge out Seattle for No. 3 this week. Well deserved @howard_rhyne 🥹 Make ATL proud. #DoItForTheDream Seattle Storm (12-7) | Prior Rank: 6 - The Seattle Storm bounced back from their blowout loss to the Golden State Valkyries by going 2-0 in week 8. Those two wins came against the shorthanded Atlanta Dream, who were without Rhyne Howard and the New York Liberty who were missing Jonquel Jones. The Storm's record this season against the two teams ranked immediately ahead them is 2-1 versus Phoenix and a 1-1 split with Atlanta. It's worth noting that in their matchups with both the Mercury and Dream, both opponents were missing at least one star player, while Seattle had their three recently named All-Stars (Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams) all available to them. Seattle can only play who is in front of them, but it's important context for assessing how to rank these teams against one another. With that context, Seattle will still move up two spots this week to No. 4, but they won't overtake Atlanta (same record) or Phoenix (one-game lead in the standings ) just yet. this is so cute😭 aysia (@aysiacchanell) July 6, 2025 Seattle Storm (12-7) | Prior Rank: 6 - The Seattle Storm bounced back from their blowout loss to the Golden State Valkyries by going 2-0 in week 8. Those two wins came against the shorthanded Atlanta Dream, who were without Rhyne Howard and the New York Liberty who were missing Jonquel Jones. The Storm's record this season against the two teams ranked immediately ahead them is 2-1 versus Phoenix and a 1-1 split with Atlanta. It's worth noting that in their matchups with both the Mercury and Dream, both opponents were missing at least one star player, while Seattle had their three recently named All-Stars (Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams) all available to them. Seattle can only play who is in front of them, but it's important context for assessing how to rank these teams against one another. With that context, Seattle will still move up two spots this week to No. 4, but they won't overtake Atlanta (same record) or Phoenix (one-game lead in the standings ) just yet. this is so cute😭 New York Liberty (12-6) | Prior Rank: 4 - While New York has a half game lead over both Atlanta and Seattle for third in the standings, they will fall another spot this week to No. 5. Even with the return of Leonie Fiebich to the lineup, the Liberty are losing at a faster rate than they are winning in the last few weeks and that's largely due to the loss of Jonquel Jones, who is not expected to return to play until after the WNBA All-Star break because of a right ankle York is 2-4 in their last six games. In week 8, they went 1-1 with the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm, and they had to overcome a deficit to beat the Sparks. Fortunately for New York their next six games are at home, where both of their All-Stars, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, typically play very well. Hopefully, they can use home court to their advantage to steady the ship, but with so many losses recently, they fall to fifth this week. SHOUTOUT TO OUR ALL-STAR CREW 🤩🍿 Catch @breannastewart & @sabrina_i20 on the big stage in Indy at @WNBA All-Star 🌟 New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 30, 2025 New York Liberty (12-6) | Prior Rank: 4 - While New York has a half game lead over both Atlanta and Seattle for third in the standings, they will fall another spot this week to No. 5. Even with the return of Leonie Fiebich to the lineup, the Liberty are losing at a faster rate than they are winning in the last few weeks and that's largely due to the loss of Jonquel Jones, who is not expected to return to play until after the WNBA All-Star break because of a right ankle injury. New York is 2-4 in their last six games. In week 8, they went 1-1 with the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm, and they had to overcome a deficit to beat the Sparks. Fortunately for New York their next six games are at home, where both of their All-Stars, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, typically play very well. Hopefully, they can use home court to their advantage to steady the ship, but with so many losses recently, they fall to fifth this week. SHOUTOUT TO OUR ALL-STAR CREW 🤩🍿 Catch @breannastewart & @sabrina_i20 on the big stage in Indy at @WNBA All-Star 🌟 Golden State Valkyries (9-9) | Prior Rank: 5 - The Valkyries drop one spot this week after losing two games in a row. They are in the middle of a four-game road trip, in which they have started 0-2. The Valkyries have a much better home than road record. Of their nine wins this season, only two have occurred on the road, both against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Valkyries will likely need their sole All-Star, Kayla Thornton, to go to another level for them on the road because if that trend continues, they could be in for a tough stretch, as they only have two games at home between now and August 3. She's been giving All-Star. Now it's official. @KBT_5Blessed to the big stage, named to @WNBA All-Star Reserves. 🌟@Sephora | The Firsts Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) July 6, 2025 The Valkyries are in a three-way tie for the sixth best record in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces. Since they have beaten both teams in their head-to-head matchups, they will get the No. 6 spot this week. Golden State Valkyries (9-9) | Prior Rank: 5 - The Valkyries drop one spot this week after losing two games in a row. They are in the middle of a four-game road trip, in which they have started 0-2. The Valkyries have a much better home than road record. Of their nine wins this season, only two have occurred on the road, both against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Valkyries will likely need their sole All-Star, Kayla Thornton, to go to another level for them on the road because if that trend continues, they could be in for a tough stretch, as they only have two games at home between now and August 3. She's been giving All-Star. Now it's official. @KBT_5Blessed to the big stage, named to @WNBA All-Star Reserves. 🌟@Sephora | The Firsts The Valkyries are in a three-way tie for the sixth best record in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces. Since they have beaten both teams in their head-to-head matchups, they will get the No. 6 spot this week. Indiana Fever (9-9) | Prior Rank: 8 - The Fever played three games during week 8, which includes a win in the Commissioner's Cup, and went 2-1. Unfortunately for them, the Cup does not count towards standings, so they are still .500 on the season. However, it will be considered for purposes of these rankings. The Fever went into Minnesota, without the services of Caitlin Clark, and beat the best team in the WNBA on their home court. Couple that with finally getting their first win over the Las Vegas Aces since 2020, in dominant fashion, and snapping a 16-game losing streak and that's how they end up ahead of the Aces this week at No. 7. GOT IT DONE 💯#NowYouKnow Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 2, 2025 Also, there is more good news for the Fever. Even though fellow All-Stars, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, have been holding it down for the Fever during her absence, their All-Star Captain, Caitlin Clark, is expected to return to play from a groin injury for their matchup on Wednesday with the Golden State Valkyries. Stephanie White says that, barring any regression, Caitlin Clark will be available tomorrow against the Valkyries.— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) July 8, 2025 Indiana Fever (9-9) | Prior Rank: 8 - The Fever played three games during week 8, which includes a win in the Commissioner's Cup, and went 2-1. Unfortunately for them, the Cup does not count towards standings, so they are still .500 on the season. However, it will be considered for purposes of these rankings. The Fever went into Minnesota, without the services of Caitlin Clark, and beat the best team in the WNBA on their home court. Couple that with finally getting their first win over the Las Vegas Aces since 2020, in dominant fashion, and snapping a 16-game losing streak and that's how they end up ahead of the Aces this week at No. 7. GOT IT DONE 💯#NowYouKnow Also, there is more good news for the Fever. Even though fellow All-Stars, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, have been holding it down for the Fever during her absence, their All-Star Captain, Caitlin Clark, is expected to return to play from a groin injury for their matchup on Wednesday with the Golden State Valkyries. Stephanie White says that, barring any regression, Caitlin Clark will be available tomorrow against the Valkyries. Las Vegas Aces (9-9) | Prior Rank: 7 - Even though the Aces are still at .500 this week, they fall one spot to eighth after going 1-1 in week 8. While their win in NaLyssa Smith's first game as a starter looked great, it was against the Connecticut Sun, a team with the worst record in the league and only two wins on the season. It also followed one of their worst losses of the season, a 27-point beatdown at the hands of the Indiana Fever. A positive for the Aces is that Smith looked good in her second game while securing a double-double and was moved into the starting lineup after the beating they took from Indiana. Her addition to the team should improve their offense and help to keep defenses honest against the Aces. For now, the Aces get the No. 8 spot this week. NaLyssa Smith first Aces start 11 PTS 10 REB 2 STL 5-7 FG BIG DAWG NaiLyssa Muse (@NaiLyssa_Muse) July 6, 2025 Las Vegas Aces (9-9) | Prior Rank: 7 - Even though the Aces are still at .500 this week, they fall one spot to eighth after going 1-1 in week 8. While their win in NaLyssa Smith's first game as a starter looked great, it was against the Connecticut Sun, a team with the worst record in the league and only two wins on the season. It also followed one of their worst losses of the season, a 27-point beatdown at the hands of the Indiana Fever. A positive for the Aces is that Smith looked good in her second game while securing a double-double and was moved into the starting lineup after the beating they took from Indiana. Her addition to the team should improve their offense and help to keep defenses honest against the Aces. For now, the Aces get the No. 8 spot this week. NaLyssa Smith first Aces start 11 PTS 10 REB 2 STL 5-7 FG BIG DAWG Washington Mystics (9-10) | Prior Rank: 9 - The Mystics snapped a two-game losing streak on Tuesday by defeating the Chicago Sky in a two-point win to pull back within one game of .500. The Mystics have gotten better at executing in close games, but they need to string together a few wins in a row to rise in the standings and in these though they will remain at No. 9 this week, things are trending up for the youngest team in the league. It was announced Sunday that two of their rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, had been selected as All-Star reserves. They will join Paige Bueckers as the only other rookie All-Stars from the 2025 class. For the first time since 2011, 3 rookies will be playing in the All-Star game together ⭐️ This is just the 5th time in league history that 3 or more rookies have been named All-Stars in the same season Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have stood out in their first… WNBA (@WNBA) July 6, 2025 Washington Mystics (9-10) | Prior Rank: 9 - The Mystics snapped a two-game losing streak on Tuesday by defeating the Chicago Sky in a two-point win to pull back within one game of .500. The Mystics have gotten better at executing in close games, but they need to string together a few wins in a row to rise in the standings and in these rankings. Even though they will remain at No. 9 this week, things are trending up for the youngest team in the league. It was announced Sunday that two of their rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, had been selected as All-Star reserves. They will join Paige Bueckers as the only other rookie All-Stars from the 2025 class. For the first time since 2011, 3 rookies will be playing in the All-Star game together ⭐️ This is just the 5th time in league history that 3 or more rookies have been named All-Stars in the same season Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have stood out in their first… Los Angeles Sparks (6-13) | Prior Rank: 10 - The Sparks went 1-1 in week 8, losing to the New York Liberty and beating the Indiana Fever on the road. This is who the Sparks have been all season. It's really a toss up between LA, the Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings for spots 10-12 in these rankings. These teams are within a half game of each other, are all playing shorthanded and have kept pace with each other over the course of the season. Since the Sparks have the longest win streak of the three teams at a whopping one game, they will move up two spots to No. 10 this week. Chicago Sky (5-13) | Prior Rank: 10 - The Sky drop one spot this week because they are on a two-game losing streak, but there's no way to ignore the improvement in their play over their last several games, which starts with their sole All-Star this season, Angel Reese. ⭐️2x ALL-STAR BARBIE⭐️ Angel Reese is officially a 2025 WNBA All-Star🤩 Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 6, 2025 The Sky are 2-3 in their last five games. Their three losses were all on the road against the Valkyries (by five points), Lynx (by 5 points) and Mystics (by two points). All of these games were close and Chicago was without Kamilla Cardoso for all three. Chicago's improved play also coincides with an impressive six-game stretch from Angel Reese. Angel Reese's last six games: 17.8 PPG 17.0 RPG 4.8 APG 1.7 SPG 45.8% FG 88.2% FT— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) July 8, 2025 While Chicago will fall to No. 11 this week, they should feel encouraged that the team is starting to move in a better direction. Chicago Sky (5-13) | Prior Rank: 10 - The Sky drop one spot this week because they are on a two-game losing streak, but there's no way to ignore the improvement in their play over their last several games, which starts with their sole All-Star this season, Angel Reese. ⭐️2x ALL-STAR BARBIE⭐️ Angel Reese is officially a 2025 WNBA All-Star🤩 The Sky are 2-3 in their last five games. Their three losses were all on the road against the Valkyries (by five points), Lynx (by 5 points) and Mystics (by two points). All of these games were close and Chicago was without Kamilla Cardoso for all three. Chicago's improved play also coincides with an impressive six-game stretch from Angel Reese. Angel Reese's last six games: 17.8 PPG 17.0 RPG 4.8 APG 1.7 SPG 45.8% FG 88.2% FT While Chicago will fall to No. 11 this week, they should feel encouraged that the team is starting to move in a better direction. Dallas Wings (6-14) | Prior Rank: 11 - The Wings are 1-1 in their last two games and if the Sky hadn't beaten them in all of their head-to-head matchups this season, they would have a case to be ranked ahead of them this week. The Wings' most recent loss was a 30-point blowout to the Phoenix Mercury, a team who they had just beaten on their home court while Phoenix was at mostly full strength. So while Dallas is down some key players in Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington, losing to the Mercury, albeit on the road, while they were without both Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally is a bad that loss, the Wings had a very impressive win over Phoenix that was led by their three rookies. Paige Bueckers had already been playing well which is why she's a first-time All-Star and earned Rookie of the Month honors for June. No.1 Draft Pick in May 🤝 @Kia Rookie of the Month in June Paige Bueckers delievered some performances worth remembering during her second month as pro, capping off June with 21.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 5.0 APG#KiaROTM | #WelcometotheW WNBA (@WNBA) July 3, 2025 But in their win over the Mercury, Aziaha James led the way with a career-high 28 points and JJ Quinerly also stuffed the stat sheet to help Dallas secure the win. Young & poppin it 😮💨 Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 4, 2025 Like Chicago, things are looking up for the Wings and once they get Arike and DiJonai back, we can start to get a better sense of the team's potential, but for this week, they will land at No. 12. Dallas Wings (6-14) | Prior Rank: 11 - The Wings are 1-1 in their last two games and if the Sky hadn't beaten them in all of their head-to-head matchups this season, they would have a case to be ranked ahead of them this week. The Wings' most recent loss was a 30-point blowout to the Phoenix Mercury, a team who they had just beaten on their home court while Phoenix was at mostly full strength. So while Dallas is down some key players in Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington, losing to the Mercury, albeit on the road, while they were without both Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally is a bad loss. Despite that loss, the Wings had a very impressive win over Phoenix that was led by their three rookies. Paige Bueckers had already been playing well which is why she's a first-time All-Star and earned Rookie of the Month honors for June. No.1 Draft Pick in May 🤝 @Kia Rookie of the Month in June Paige Bueckers delievered some performances worth remembering during her second month as pro, capping off June with 21.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 5.0 APG#KiaROTM | #WelcometotheW But in their win over the Mercury, Aziaha James led the way with a career-high 28 points and JJ Quinerly also stuffed the stat sheet to help Dallas secure the win. Young & poppin it 😮💨 Like Chicago, things are looking up for the Wings and once they get Arike and DiJonai back, we can start to get a better sense of the team's potential, but for this week, they will land at No. 12. Connecticut Sun (2-16) | Prior Rank: 13 - It's officially been over a month since the Sun last won a game on June 6. They have the worst record in the league and two wins on the will keep them at No. 13 again this week. Connecticut Sun (2-16) | Prior Rank: 13 - It's officially been over a month since the Sun last won a game on June 6. They have the worst record in the league and two wins on the season. This will keep them at No. 13 again this week.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mayor Brandon Johnson open to future Chicago NASCAR race, suggests date change
CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson is open to NASCAR returning to Chicago, but hinted Tuesday the city may need a better deal before stock car drivers again race through its streets. NASCAR has 90 days to request a contract extension with the Chicago Park District. If the racing authority wants to win city leaders over, it could need to change race dates, the mayor said Tuesday. 'The Fourth of July is already, quite frankly, it is a heavier burden for our law enforcement because of so much activity,' Johnson said at a City Hall news conference. 'It's something that will be part of the larger discussion if, in fact, NASCAR returns, what is the optimal time.' Pressed on what else the city might need to approve another race, Johnson stayed tight-lipped, promising only that 'there will be a lot of things that we will discuss.' Whether the city and NASCAR can find dates that fit into both schedules is a key question. A NASCAR spokesperson declined comment Tuesday. The 2026 and 2027 races, the prior contract negotiated by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, would be held on mutually agreeable dates. But the park district did confirm in the original contract that the 2023 event and staging window — July 4th weekend — 'is acceptable for potential 2026 or 2027 events.' NASCAR is reportedly in separate negotiations with officials in San Diego to host a street race there in 2026. The potential San Diego race may be in addition to Chicago, or supplant it. A negotiation window with Chicago officials could be narrow: NASCAR announced last year's cup schedule last August. It featured 38 races between February and November, breaking briefly in May and June. Considered the city's front lawn, Grant Park already has a packed schedule in the warmer months, including Lollapalooza, Suenos, Blues and Jazz fests, Taste of Chicago, the half marathon, and various other festivals. Downtown aldermen say moving the race is critical to winning their approval. The Fourth of July is a 'family-oriented' weekend when Chicagoans should have free access to Grant Park, Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, said. 'If you're going to have it again, please don't have it on July 4th weekend,' Conway said. 'We should choose to do it a different weekend if we choose to do it at all.' Conway also said the city should recoup costs tied to the event 'at a minimum' and added that he hopes construction and tear-down times continue to improve. The racing authority has become more efficient in its set-up and communicated well with residents to resolve initial concerns, he added. 'If we can get those things ironed out, I think it would be good to have NASCAR back. Chicago shines on the world stage, and it's clear Chicago gives NASCAR that platform,' he said. Conway said Johnson previously told him a city decision on the event's future would come after this year's race. The mayor on Tuesday promised 'far more people are going to be involved' as future races are considered. 'We should have input, we should be involved in this process,' Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, said. Hopkins argued Lightfoot failed to bring in others when she landed the deal to bring the race to Chicago. He declined to cast judgement on whether the race should continue. It seems the city comes out slightly ahead financially, but weeks-long street closures still make the race hard to justify, he said. The city's cut has long been a point of contention with NASCAR skeptics. The 2025 payment includes a $605,000 base permit fee, plus $2 per ticket sold and 25% of net commissions on food, drinks and merchandise sold at the event. NASCAR must pay the non-permit cut within a 90-day window after the event. In the fall of 2023, Johnson and NASCAR also memorialized an additional $2 million payment for 2024 and 2025. That payment was supposed to help compensate the city for public safety and other costs. NASCAR also agreed to continually slim down its setup and takedown window to reduce inconvenience to drivers and downtown residents. The city came out slightly ahead last year, thanks in large part to that $2 million payment and fewer roadwork improvement costs. NASCAR officials point to the broader economic impact as a point in their favor — plus added amusement taxes that flow to the city and county. Leslie Recht, who leads the Grant Park Advisory Council, said she's urged Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez Rosa, a close Johnson ally, to push for more money from the company and an even quicker set-up and takedown. 'For me, it's still too long,' Recht said, stipulating that other advisory council members don't mind it. 'All the disruption in Grant Park, if you compare it to Lollapalooza or Suenos or some of the other events, they come, they go. They're a much less impactful situation in Grant Park than NASCAR and they don't pay enough … Lolla and Suenos together pay $12 million. It's ridiculous.' The city must be careful with how it uses Grant Park, because 'it is for everyone,' Ald. Lamont Robinson, 4th, said. But NASCAR has so far been a 'good neighbor,' he added. 'I think we need as much revenue as we can get in the city of Chicago,' Robinson said. ____
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
28/22 Sports Great American Getaway Picks
(WBRE/WYOU)— 28/22 Sports gave their final picks for the Great American Getaway. Alaina Lositio's Pick: I'm gonna go with Christopher Bell. He has just been consistent this year. He has already won three times this year. One of those wins was the NASCAR all star race. His first time winning there. Advertisement Though it doesn't account for points, it's a very prestigious event that takes place in Charlotte the heart of NASCAR. How the PTN, 28/22 News NASCAR came to be Gianna Galli's pick: Ryan Blaney, who was last year's winner because of his recent success at the track, along with the overall success of Team Penske, and his 15 starts at the Tricky Triangle. Nick Zelaya's pick: Kyle Larson because of his confidence and experience when talking to him, despite starting 24 in the race. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News.
