Printable Page
06/30 16:03 CDT Future of NASCAR's downtown Chicago weekend is unclear going
into the third year of contract
Future of NASCAR's downtown Chicago weekend is unclear going into the third
year of contract
By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- When it comes to NASCAR's upcoming return to downtown Chicago,
Julie Giese has a long list of responsibilities. The track president is
monitoring an ambitious construction schedule for the street course, to go
along with everything else that goes into the busy weekend.
What happens next is going to have to wait.
The future of NASCAR in Chicago is murky going into its third edition on the
first weekend in July. The three-year contract between the motorsports
organization and the city that was announced in 2022 has two mutual options,
and their fate is unclear.
Giese said there have been "good conversations" between NASCAR and the city,
and there is time to work on the possibilities beyond the event.
"So really right now the focus is on let's execute a really great 2025," Giese
said. "We'll continue to have the conversations with the city. But right now,
honestly, the more consistent conversations are the planning conversations."
Jason Lee, a senior adviser to Mayor Brandon Johnson, praised NASCAR for its
involvement in the community and its improvements with the event. He described
almost parallel discussions going on inside of the organization and the city
when it comes to the future of the partnership.
Johnson's predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, was in charge when the original
agreement for the weekend was finalized.
"We remain available to have any conversations about the future," Lee said
Monday. "I know they've been laser focused on executing this year's event
because there are lessons they've learned that they want to apply. And I think
some of that, whether you successfully do that, will play a role in how they
want to proceed."
One possible change that could interest the city is moving to a different
weekend, something it has discussed with NASCAR in the past.
"It may make more sense to move that event to a different weekend where we
don't have as many demands on our law enforcement and other emergency
personnel," Lee told the AP. "And so that's definitely something that we've
contemplated, but there is also some constraints in terms of other events in
the city of Chicago and the NASCAR schedule."
The Athletic reported on June 18 that NASCAR was nearing an agreement to put a
street race in the San Diego area next year. An announcement could come as soon
as July.
Asked if she had spoken with NASCAR or anyone in the San Diego area about a
Southern California street race, Giese said her focus is on Chicago. She also
said she feels there is room for multiple street courses on NASCAR's calendar.
"We have multiple road course races on the schedule," she said. "So I mean ...
I've not ever heard where it has to be one or the other. I mean there is room.
This event, we went into it that first year knowing full well it was a proof of
concept. And we showed that it is possible."
The Xfinity and Cup Series races in Chicago --- held on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile
course against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and Grant Park --- are the main
events in a festival-like weekend that also includes music and entertainment
options.
It is geared as much to a new audience in one of NASCAR's most important
regions as it is to 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.
"This is a top-three market for us, worldwide frankly, for NASCAR fans," NASCAR
executive Ben Kennedy said when the Chicago event was announced in 2022.
There was some concern for drivers and their teams about the course ahead of
the first weekend, and it wasn't exactly warmly received by local businesses
and residents because of the street closures in a heavily trafficked area for
tourists in the summer.
But organizers have shrunk the construction schedule from 43 days in 2023 to 25
this year. Based on input from fans, they also have made adjustments to the
race viewing areas and moved the concert stage to the start-finish line.
Admission is free for kids 12 and under on Saturday and Sunday this year.
The weekend also has won over at least some people inside of NASCAR.
"This was very different. But now it's fun to see and hear from people in the
industry that are coming in early, and they're going to just enjoy the city for
a few days," Giese said. "The one piece that I hear from our drivers,
especially, is they love just staying right at a hotel right across the street.
They're walking across Michigan Avenue and they're at the course."
Quite often with an umbrella. Wet weather had a major effect on each of the
first two editions. Heavy rain nearly scuttled the inaugural weekend, and last
year's Cup Series race was shortened because of a rain delay and fading
sunlight.
When the drivers were on the course, the racing was compelling. Shane van
Gisbergen outdueled Justin Haley and Chase Elliott on his way to a Cup victory
in 2023, and Alex Bowman stopped an 80-race drought with his win last year.
"I think they've been up against it as far as conditions are concerned," Joe
Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin said. "The track has been good, it's been racy
and has passing zones and the scenery is fantastic as far as the backdrop we
are racing in. There's a lot of positives for the Chicago Street Race.
"It will probably move around in the future, but it's in the mold in which I
would like to see any street race they continue to implement in the future."
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
|
