Kyle Busch labels the Chicago Street Race the BIGGEST challenge in NASCAR history

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race becoming a success is really important for the sanctioning body.

Kyle Busch labels the Chicago Street Race the BIGGEST challenge in NASCAR history

Kyle Busch at Martinsville (Credits: @RCR/Twitter)

The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity garage are in downtown Chicago for the first-ever Street Race in the sport’s history. Since its announcement, it has been one of the most anticipated and scrutinized events in 2023. Now two, times NASCAR Cup series champion Kyle Busch has given the race the title of “the biggest challenge” for drivers ever in NASCAR.

Other than a handful of drivers, no one in the Cup or Xfinity garage has previous experience in racing street courses that are narrow and has sharp turns. The Chicago Street Race track is narrow with limited run-off areas, and the 12 turns are 90-degree turns that demand perfect breaking. Even for drivers with Street racing experience, its track debut and the temporary pavement make it a tough event.

YouTube video

The Richard Childress Racing No:8 Chev Camaro ZL1 driver pointed out that the Next-Gen cars, though made keeping Road courses in mind, is still big ad heavy stock cars. Running it in a narrow street with sharp turns will surely prompt multiple racing incidents. The freshness of the event adds to the uncertainty and excitement.

FS Video

“I believe the Chicago street race will be one of the most challenging races that Cup has ever seen for sure. Yeah, we’re racing cars that were kind of made for road racing, but they’re still 3,600 pounds and big, heavy stock cars, and we’re trying to run them on streets and rough streets at that,” Kyle Busch said.  

“Really tight, 90-degree corners so everything is going to be super, super close action, tight quarters, bumping and banging and probably hitting some barriers here and there. It’s going to be a heck of a show and a very interesting one at that, especially being the first time with nobody really knowing what to expect,” Busch added.

In case you missed it: Jimmie Johnson withdraws from Chicago Street Race following a HORRIFIC family tragedy

Chicago is a cool opportunity for NASCAR, according to Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch (Credits: @rcr/ Twitter)

Busch, while talking about the importance of the event, pointed out that it offers the sport a big opportunity to attract more fans with the uncertainty and curiosity that’s been there around it.  The 2009 Xfinity series champion sees challenge and opportunity at the event.

“I feel like the Chicago street race is a really cool opportunity. It’s going to be a challenge for sure so it will definitely be an interesting race. I’m curious to kind of see the layout and how it all really works. At the same time, it’s going to be a great venue for the city of Chicago and for NASCAR,” Kyle Busch said.

https://twitter.com/NASCAR/status/1674418026102542338

NASCAR has major plans for the event that have had several criticisms coming its way. Fans were disappointed to see an iconic track such as the Road America was ousted to make space for the event in the Cup schedule. The City’s social structure and NASCAR hosting a race in place with a near-to-zero fanbase is a big gamble. But if it payoff NASCAR will gain more attention and fans it needs.

Discover more: