Deadspin | Report: NASCAR’S Chicago Street Race could return in 2027

NASCAR is making inroads towards bringing the Cup Sequence again to downtown Chicago, The Athletic reported Wednesday.

Whereas there’s nonetheless loads of highway forward in phrases of the dialog, the outlet cited sources as saying that optimism is rising towards the Chicago Street Race being included in NASCAR’s 2027 schedule. NASCAR’s three-year contract with Chicago ended in 2025.

From 2023-25, drivers in the NASCAR Cup Sequence and Xfinity Sequence raced alongside a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course round Grant Park.

Talks heading into final 12 months’s occasion centered round discovering a greater date in the longer term for the race’s return. It beforehand was held over the Fourth of July weekend, which is troublesome because it requires a shutdown of metropolis streets.

“Our purpose is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an occasion that additional enhances the expertise for residents and guests alike, as we work collectively in direction of a brand new potential date, shorter construct schedule, and extra tourism attracts,” NASCAR-appointed Chicago Street Race president Julie Giese mentioned in an open letter final July.

NASCAR launched the next assertion final July with regard to pausing the race:

“Thanks for all that you’ve got performed to make the NASCAR Chicago Street Race one of the iconic occasions in world sports activities,” it mentioned. “Following the success of the primary three years, the Chicago Street Race will hit pause in 2026 to afford us the time essential to work collaboratively with the Metropolis of Chicago to discover a brand new potential date to develop a plan that additional optimizes operational efficiencies, with a purpose to return to the streets of Chicago in 2027.

“Collectively, we’ve constructed and grown an expanded neighborhood of followers that consists of longtime NASCAR fans and first-time racegoers from across the globe, and for that, we’re immensely grateful. Thanks for the continued help — and we look ahead to seeing you on the races.”

Shane van Gisbergen of New Zealand sandwiched victories on the race in Chicago round Alex Bowman’s win in 2024.

–Area Degree Media