Chicago Street Race President Gives Major Update on the race’s future

Chicago Street Race's President Julie Giese has raised uncertainty over the contract extension of destination beyond 2025.

Chicago Street Race President Gives Major Update on the race’s future

Chicago Street Race's President Julie Giese (via Jayski)

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race put forth some surprising racing action during its first two years of running in 2023 and 2024. The present deal for the Street Race circuit ends in the 2025 season, as there might be an option to extend the race beyond its current culmination date.

The deal signed in 2023 had provisions to allow NASCAR’s request to extend the contract until at least 2027. However, with the Chicago race coming up, the President of the track has put forth conflicting comments on the extension.

The Chicago Street Race is remarkable as it is the only street-race circuit on NASCAR’s calendar currently. Notably, the race generated over $109 million in economic impact for the city of Chicago with 79,000 attendees over the weekend. The live stream coverage by NBC also witnessed the highest number of viewers, with over 4.8 million fans joining in on the action.

As such, it is safe to assume that the Chicago Street Race had a big positive impact on the sport and its fan base. Still, the venue received mixed opinions due to the torrential weather conditions during the race and the disruption of local people’s regular activities.

The circuit’s President, Julie Giese seems conflicted in extending the contract beyond its current expiration in 2025. Due to the massive backlash and naysayers of the racing destination, Giese might call it quits earlier than expected.

She remained secretive about her plans and pointed out that her focus was on this year’s Chicago Street Race. Giese reassured that the option to extend the contract beyond its current term was available.

Again, right now, our focus is on this year’s event, We have those option years.

Julie Giese told CBS News.

Giese pointed out that she would have extended discussions with NASCAR and other parties involved regarding the status quo. It seems that she might not be up for the idea of another extension, as depicted by her words and tone.

Still, the Street Race has put forth some beneficial ideas as the sport continues to move towards greater innovation. Time will talk about the fate of the Chicago Street Race and if it remains on the NASCAR calendar beyond the 2025 season.

We’ll have those conversations [with NASCAR].

Julie Giese added.

Julie Giese aims to ‘minimize’ disruption to local public by the Chicago Street Race

The local residents in and around the Street Race circuit have expressed great concerns over the massive event. While NASCAR boosts local growth with their races, they also need to start the preparations much earlier than the actual race.

NASCAR's Chicago Street Race (via NASCAR)
NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race (via NASCAR)

This causes a lot of problems for the local residents in terms of their daily commute and other businesses. As such, Julie Giese has reassured the local public that she and the authorities would continue their efforts to minimize if not eliminate the disruption caused to the citizens.

Chicago isn’t the biggest host of massive events like music concerts or sporting events like NASCAR. As such, the residents aren’t used to the great glamor and pizzazz around their locality.

Still, speaking about the problems faced, Julie Giese pointed out that the team has been working very hard to minimize the disruptions caused to the locals. Giese assures that NASCAR will continue to get better at handling such issues in the future.

We have been working very hard to minimize those disruptions, We’re going to continue to get better at this.

Julie Giese noted

For now, the stage is being set for the Chicago Street Race on 5th and 6th July. The teams and drivers give it their all on the narrow track and put forth some great racing action. While the circuit might be seen as dangerous, some drivers have expressed excitement about racing at the Street circuit. Now, time will about how Giese works on improving the conditions and convincing the locals to remain for the motion of running the race in Chicago.

Read More: Tony Stewart Confesses He Was “Not a Good Person to People” in His NASCAR Days