Latest news with #JulieGiese
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR says no Chicago Street Race next year, but it could return in 2027
CHICAGO (AP) — NASCAR is pressing pause on its Chicago Street Race, answering at least one major question about its schedule for next season. NASCAR raced on a street course in downtown Chicago on the first weekend in July each of the last three years. But it had a three-year contract with the city, leaving the future of the event in question. Writing to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday, race president Julie Giese said the plan is to explore the potential of a new event weekend with his office and other community leaders while also working on a more efficient course build and breakdown. 'Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, as we work together towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule, and additional tourism draws,' Giese wrote in her letter to Johnson. Giese said NASCAR is keeping its Chicago Street Race office and plans to continue its community partnerships. 'We deeply value our relationship with the City of Chicago and remain steadfast in our commitment to being a good neighbor and partner,' she said in the letter. NASCAR is replacing its Chicago stop with a street race in San Diego. A message was left Friday seeking comment from Johnson's office. NASCAR's Chicago weekend featured Xfinity and Cup Series races on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and Grant Park — to go along with a festival-like atmosphere with music and entertainment options. The goal was an event that appealed to both a new audience in one of NASCAR's most important regions and the most ardent racing fans. NASCAR used to race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, a 45-mile drive from downtown, but it pulled out after the 2019 season. Johnson's predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, was in charge when the three-year contract for the downtown weekend was finalized. It wasn't exactly a popular move in Chicago. Local businesses and residents were frustrated by the street closures in a heavily trafficked area for tourists in the summer. But organizers shrunk the construction schedule from 43 days in 2023 to 25 this year, winning over some of the race's critics. Drivers and their teams had some concerns about the course ahead of the first weekend. But the setup was widely praised by the time the third year rolled around — both the course and the ability to walk to the circuit from their downtown hotel. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson called Chicago 'probably my favorite event in NASCAR each year.' The racing in downtown Chicago has been dominated by Shane van Gisbergen, who won the Xfinity and Cup races this year from the pole. He also won in Chicago in his Cup debut in 2023 and last year's Xfinity Series race. 'I love the track,' he said after this year's Cup win. 'It's a cool place to come to. You feel a nice vibe. You feel a good vibe in the mornings walking to the track with the fans. It's pretty unique like that.' ___ AP auto racing:
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Associated Press
NASCAR says no Chicago Street Race next year, but it could return in 2027
CHICAGO (AP) — NASCAR is pressing pause on its Chicago Street Race, answering at least one major question about its schedule for next season. NASCAR raced on a street course in downtown Chicago on the first weekend in July each of the last three years. But it had a three-year contract with the city, leaving the future of the event in question. Writing to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday, race president Julie Giese said the plan is to explore the potential of a new event weekend with his office and other community leaders while also working on a more efficient course build and breakdown. 'Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, as we work together towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule, and additional tourism draws,' Giese wrote in her letter to Johnson. Giese said NASCAR is keeping its Chicago Street Race office and plans to continue its community partnerships. 'We deeply value our relationship with the City of Chicago and remain steadfast in our commitment to being a good neighbor and partner,' she said in the letter. NASCAR is replacing its Chicago stop with a street race in San Diego. A message was left Friday seeking comment from Johnson's office. NASCAR's Chicago weekend featured Xfinity and Cup Series races on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and Grant Park — to go along with a festival-like atmosphere with music and entertainment options. The goal was an event that appealed to both a new audience in one of NASCAR's most important regions and the most ardent racing fans. NASCAR used to race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, a 45-mile drive from downtown, but it pulled out after the 2019 season. Johnson's predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, was in charge when the three-year contract for the downtown weekend was finalized. It wasn't exactly a popular move in Chicago. Local businesses and residents were frustrated by the street closures in a heavily trafficked area for tourists in the summer. But organizers shrunk the construction schedule from 43 days in 2023 to 25 this year, winning over some of the race's critics. Drivers and their teams had some concerns about the course ahead of the first weekend. But the setup was widely praised by the time the third year rolled around — both the course and the ability to walk to the circuit from their downtown hotel. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson called Chicago 'probably my favorite event in NASCAR each year.' The racing in downtown Chicago has been dominated by Shane van Gisbergen, who won the Xfinity and Cup races this year from the pole. He also won in Chicago in his Cup debut in 2023 and last year's Xfinity Series race. 'I love the track,' he said after this year's Cup win. 'It's a cool place to come to. You feel a nice vibe. You feel a good vibe in the mornings walking to the track with the fans. It's pretty unique like that.' ___ AP auto racing:
New York Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
NASCAR's Chicago Street Race is off for 2026, but ‘our goal' is a 2027 return
NASCAR will not race in the streets of downtown Chicago in 2026, pausing a three-year experiment that was unlike anything else in the league's 76-year history and proved it could pull off a race through the streets of a major city. NASCAR announced its decision in a public letter to the city late Friday afternoon, noting that this only applies to 2026 and that the league is receptive to possibly returning to the Chicago Street Course to race on the temporary circuit it has built each of the past three years around Grant Park. Advertisement 'Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, as we work together towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule, and additional tourism draws,' NASCAR-appointed Chicago Street Race president Julie Giese said in the letter. The 2025 race was the last on the three-year contract between NASCAR and the city of Chicago. NASCAR and the city held a mutual option to return in 2026. When the Chicago race was first announced in 2022, it received public backlash from city leaders concerned about the potential negative impact on the community due to the logistical and financial questions that come with shutting down a portion of the city's streets. But city officials have warmed up to it. The most recent race, held July 6, included Mayor Brandon Johnson saying the event was becoming a tradition when he spoke to drivers during their pre-race meeting with NASCAR. At the time of its inception, the Chicago Street Course was considered an innovation, breaking well outside NASCAR's usual mold of racing on purpose-built circuits, often in less populated areas. NASCAR leadership viewed the event as a way to demonstrate that it could build a world-class track incorporating city streets while minimizing the inconvenience to the general public. The most recent build for the Chicago Street Course took only 25 days, reduced from 42 days in its first year. It's not yet known what will replace the Chicago Street Race on the 2026 NASCAR schedule. The Athletic reported last month that NASCAR is finalizing a deal to race on another temporary road circuit in the San Diego area. That race is expected to be formally announced by the end of this month. Each of the Chicago race's first two editions were marred by poor weather. In 2023, it was shortened from 100 scheduled laps to 78 due to a rain delay. In 2024, the race was scheduled for a reduced 75 laps and only completed 58. This year, though, all 75 laps were completed. Shane van Gisbergen won two of the three races — in 2023 and again this year. Alex Bowman won in 2024. (Photo from the 2025 Chicago Street Race: James Gilbert / Getty Images)
Chicago Tribune
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: Road shutdown for NASCAR race makes life beyond difficult for nearby residents
My thanks to the Tribune Editorial Board for acknowledging the disruption NASCAR causes for the 50,000 residents of the Loop ('NASCAR should have a future in Chicago — if it's not held on Fourth of July weekend,' July 10). I live in Lake Shore East, and it is frustratingly difficult to get around while major roads are closed. I regularly travel on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and during the days the southbound lanes are closed (from Randolph to McFetridge), I have to drive a circuitous route to 31st Street in order to get on the southbound drive. As many as 155,000 motorists travel the drive every day, and all of those cars are forced off onto arterial roads. This is a maddening and illogical disruption. What event could possibly justify closing a major highway for days on end? My beef is not with the people from NASCAR since they are simply doing what the city has allowed them to do. I have been in several community meetings with Julie Giese, the head of NASCAR Chicago, and she has consistently been responsive to input. My beef is with our mayor and my alderman who refuse to acknowledge how disruptive this event is for residents, workers, small business owners, visitors and travelers. Changing the date or demanding more money for the Park District is not going to change the basics — a street race does not belong in downtown Chicago. Beginning in May and throughout the summer, major downtown roads are continually closed. When the roads opened after the Suenos music festival, they began closing for NASCAR. Now that roads are open after NASCAR, they will begin closing for Lollapalooza. This is no way to run a downtown where 50,000-plus people Chicago has seen some tourism benefits from our three years of NASCAR street races, the burden created by weeks of street closures, many rerouted buses and some businesses being unable to operate exceeds those benefits. At least 18 bus routes experienced temporary changes due to NASCAR street closures, which has a disproportionate effect on heavily used South Side routes such as King Drive, Cottage Grove and Jeffery Jump. Passengers on those routes face significantly longer rides to and from downtown. All those extra buses on and near State Street create delays on streets where those buses are rerouted, affecting many additional bus routes. Lane restrictions and delays on DuSable Lake Shore Drive make it harder for people who need to travel along the lakefront. Detoured car traffic has a major impact on State Street and adjacent streets. Too many people have their transportation disrupted and face significant delays and added stress due to NASCAR street closures. People are deprived of being able to use Grant Park for weeks of prime summer weather. Crippling our downtown transportation network and access to the Museum Campus and Art Institute at peak tourist season makes no sense. Three years has been more than enough. No more NASCAR!Regarding last weekend's NASCAR event, no one has commented on the environmental impact from what took place. Air quality downtown, already contaminated, is further damaged by the exhaust from the racing cars. Furthermore, do hotels and restaurants prosper while the city's budgetary problems receive no help from this? Also, in my opinion, this isn't 'entertainment' like musical presentations held in Grant Walter Burnett has served the 27th Ward and the city of Chicago with distinction for about three decades. His leadership played a key role in the growth of the West Loop and in expanding affordable housing across the ward. If he steps into a new leadership role at the Chicago Housing Authority, it would mark the end of an era. No one questions Burnett's impact on this city. That's what makes the reported push to install a successor — rather than let the voters decide — all the more disappointing. As recently confirmed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, he is actively considering Burnett for the CHA post, which would create a vacancy in the 27th Ward. Chicagoans have seen how public trust can erode when political transitions are shaped by behind-the-scenes appointments instead of open elections. At a time when democracy feels fragile — nationally and locally — we should resist any appearance of political favoritism or nepotism, no matter who is involved. This isn't about any one family, community or individual. It's about making sure the public — not political insiders — decides who represents them. If either of Burnett's sons wishes to serve, they should absolutely be encouraged to run. But they should earn that seat the same way their father did: by winning the support of the voters, not by being installed to serve a mayor's political agenda before the people have a chance to speak. We saw that with the appointment process in the 35th Ward. Chicago has a chance to model democratic leadership — but that starts with letting the people of the 27th Ward choose their next alderman, not allowing City Hall to decide for them.I have lived in Chicago just a year, having moved here from another state. My review is that this city is both wonderful and horrible. I cannot watch the news anymore to hear who was been shot the night before — every day. About the causes, figure it out and correct it, or at least tell me about positive things making a difference. Hearing about another Chicago politician going to prison for corruption would bring smiles in the state where I lived while we would shake our heads On the wonderful side of this city, I love the diversity, I love the beauty, I love the people who are helpful and friendly, I read the Tribune every day and like the letters, and so much more. I love being here and want things to be better for June 29 editorial 'Why Chicago has a restaurant crisis' is a fantastic piece with great timing. I directly oversee the sourcing, purchasing, distribution and sale of more than 250 million pounds of perishable food service products annually for a food service/retail company serving a customer base of 95% independent operators. Every single day, just like our customers, cost impact is reviewed, and outcome scenarios are simulated. It should be expected that our elected officials have the diligence and capacity to do the same. These shallow policies and the sweeping support thereof further validate that the City Council is flooded with officials who have never set eyes on a balance sheet and believe that businesses are funded by magic.
Chicago Tribune
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Fans reflect on NASCAR's (possibly) final race in Chicago
As NASCAR fans from across the globe gathered for the 2025 Chicago Street Race on Saturday, some spectators reveled in the moment more than usual, knowing it may be the last time the city hosts the event. This is the third and final year of NASCAR's contract with the city for the Fourth of July weekend event. Racing officials have not released a full schedule for 2026, and Mayor Brandon Johnson has so far not committed to bringing NASCAR back. NASCAR Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese has been tight-lipped about NASCAR's future in the city, as well. A two-year extension for the course to stay in Chicago remains possible, but far from certain. Races in the previous two years have been met with rainy weather, leading to lengthy delays. Some residents have been lukewarm about the event, as it comes with street closures that make 10 commonly used intersections inaccessible. And after days of snarled traffic and rerouted buses, it takes awhile for the Loop to return to normal. Amid the uncertainty, thousands of dedicated racing fans streamed into Chicago's Grant Park early Saturday morning, braving the hot weather but enjoying clear blue skies as drivers completed their initial practice runs. 'I am out here because this will probably be the last year,' said John Drexler, a 66-year-old truck driver from Schaumburg and self-described 'gearhead.' Drexler said it would be a shame to lose a spectacle, which showcases Chicago's skyline for an international audience. 'I've been a racing fan for more than 50 years, so I hope they bring it back,' he said. 'Monaco and Long Beach are the only cities that are even comparable to this.' Many spectators watched the race — and visited Chicago — for the first time. The street course rookies seemed in awe of the atmosphere. 'So far it's been awesome. I'm over the moon,' said Scott Russell, 52, who traveled from Melbourne, Australia. 'I paid a fortune for tickets (because) I thought if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this properly. I would definitely come back to Chicago without a doubt.' Fans filled the grandstands east of the pit stops on Columbus Drive and lined the fences along the rest of the 2.2-mile lakefront course, many wincing as drivers roared past at more than 100 mph. Drivers maneuvered through Grant Park and skirted Lake Michigan, sped past the Museum Campus down to Roosevelt Road, taking several 90-degree turns at about 50 mph, eventually heading north on Michigan Avenue and then east past the Art Institute of Chicago on Jackson Drive. 'I've been to all three of these because I felt like this was maybe not going to be around forever,' said Mike Piotrowski, who grew up watching racing on television. Piotrowski is not like some of the NASCAR fans who have been to races all over the country. David Cox, 52, said he has made trips to Talladega in Lincoln, Alabama, and Bristol, in Tennessee, as well as watched races in Michigan. 'A NASCAR race is like a marriage, everyone should try it at least once,' Cox said. 'If you don't like it, don't go back.' John Tucker, a Lutheran minister from Salisbury, N.C., has been to four races this year. His daughter is married to an engineer from RCR Racing, which is why he became a traveling NASCAR fan eight years ago. He thinks the racing itself is interesting, but he said he became a true fan when he saw the 'camaraderie of the pit crews.' 'They really look after each other,' Tucker said. 'Family care is important to me, and to see that with a team … I didn't expect that.' Before Saturday, Tammy Southern had not been to a NASCAR race since 1997. This weekend was the first time she and her husband, Bradley, were able to take a vacation alone since they had children. They came to Chicago from South Bend, Indiana, to soak up 'the stuff that you don't normally see when you're at home watching it.' 'There's so many different experiences here that we get to see,' Southern said. 'It's sad that this might be the last one here.' The weekend featured one of its first nonrainy days, as fans treated themselves to mock races, a trip down pit lane during qualifying and a look at each racer's RV. Workers repaired cars while others kept the crew hydrated in the high-80s degree weather. Thirty-eight drivers qualified for Saturday's Xfinity Series The Loop 110 race, and many said Chicago's heat wave made the course hotter and slicker than the past two years, making it more difficult to avoid scraping the walls. 'When the track is that hot and slick, there is no margin for error,' said 36-year-old New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, just after completing the fastest time during the Loop 110 qualifying round. Gisbergen, the winner of the inaugural Chicago Street Race in 2023, said he also hopes the Chicago Street Race returns for another year. 'You walk to the track with all the fans and it's really cool,' he said. 'This is a place that is really special to me.' Many fans said they would love to see the race remain in Chicago, as well. They rave about how close spectators are to the track, as well as the 'smell of the tires and asphalt' as racers drove by. 'I'm really happy to be here because it's my first time I've ever been to Chicago and the city has amazed me (because of) how clean it is and the amount of people I've met and how friendly they are,' Russell said. 'If someone said to me, 'You want to go to Chicago (for the race)?', I'll be like 'Yup, let's go.''
