Chicago residents are in for a month-long traffic nightmare due to the first-ever NASCAR Steet race

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is a highly anticipated event of the 2023 season.

Chicago residents are in for a month-long traffic nightmare due to the first-ever NASCAR Steet race

Chicago Street Race (Image via Twitter)

The NASCAR garage will visit Chicago downtown on the first week of Juley for the inaugural NASCAR street race weekend. It will mark the debut of the temporary track and form of racing in the sport’s history. It’s more epical, considering 2023 is the 75th-anniversary season. The city will host the race on July 2, preceded by an Xfinity Series and IMSA race as well.

The 12-turned-race temporary track layout around the central park has attracted interest from many drivers, including 7 times Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. He will race in the event for the No:84 LEGACY MC Chevy. There are rumors of Trackhouse Racing fielding the Project 91 car, and Rick Ware Racing might also make a special entry with the No:15 car.

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While these are things to cheer for the fans from within and outside the city, the city’s residents will have a nightmarish time behind the wheel potentially for the whole month of due to the traffic restrictions that will kick in for the preparation for the race. The City authorities are planning close the roads and restrict parking early to get the drivers used to changes before the race weekend. This will ensure smooth operations of regular life for the residents and visiting fans.

The Chicago rush-hour traffic is one of the most challenging to navigate on a regular day, and the race weekend will surely make it worse. While there is pressure on the authorities to revisit the decision to host the race, it’s too late to cancel the deal. The city will have to pay a hefty fine and will also be fighting a long legal battle with NASCAR, which they may not win.  

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What are the new traffic regulations for Chicago Street Race?

Chicago Strret Rcae course in NASCAR iRacing.
Chicago Strret Rcae course in NASCAR iRacing.

The following are the restrictions announced by the Office of Emergency Management, Chicago Department of Transportation, as reported by CBS. The sidewalks of the trackside are currently being developed or closed for the event. It won’t be opened until July 15, nearly two weeks after the race to rebuild the sidewalks to their former state.  The restrictions for the race day are yet to be announced.

  • Monday, June 26 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Closure of Congress Plaza Drive and lane closures on eastbound Roosevelt Road between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
  • Tuesday, June 27 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Curb Lane closure on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Balbo Drive and Roosevelt Road for track barrier installation.
  • Wednesday, June 28 – Beginning at 10 p.m., Curb Lane closure on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Balbo Drive and Roosevelt Road for track barrier installation.
  • Thursday, June 29 – Beginning at 8 p.m., Closure of northbound Michigan Avenue between Balbo Drive and Jackson Drive and a traffic lane closure of southbound Michigan Avenue between Balbo Drive and Jackson Drive.
  • Thursday, June 29 – Beginning at 10 p.m., Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Monroe Drive and McFetridge Road and closure of Roosevelt Road between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
  • Friday, June 30 – Beginning at 5 p.m., Closure of southbound Michigan Avenue between Balbo Drive and Jackson Drive”

The race is a huge experiment from NASCAR with the hopes of attracting new fans, mostly from minority communities, to the sport. It’s vital for the city administration and NASCAR to make the event a success, as any minor mistakes will be deemed as big mistakes and potentially will put an end to the whole street course racing in NASCAR.

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