A little bit of racing information has crossed the wire — information that’s admittedly near my coronary heart since I dwell within the Windy City.
NASCAR is outwardly coming to Chicago.
Not returning to Chicagoland Speedway in far southwest suburban Joliet, which coincidentally your creator used as a backdrop for some test-vehicle images this previous weekend. No. Instead, the inventory vehicles will likely be racing on the streets of the Chi.
The race weekend seems slated for July 1-2, and it additionally seems to be the primary of a three-year deal.
Sadly, it additionally would possibly imply NASCAR gained’t go to the famed Road America observe close to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (a couple of three-hour drive from Chicago) subsequent yr. I attended the 2021 race and loved it immensely, regardless of the warmth. NASCAR ought to, in my view, be at Road America each yr.
That mentioned, I’m positive NASCARs bouncing and sliding across the Loop will likely be a sight to behold, although I additionally understand how badly shutting down downtown streets will screw up visitors. Us locals already take care of the music competition Lollapalooza yearly — and the road closures wanted for a stock-car race will contain an even bigger chunk of land.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the race course will likely be 2.2 miles lengthy and be north of Roosevelt Road, making use of Columbus Drive, Michigan Avenue, and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. It would possibly go as far north as Jackson Boulevard, which is a part of the previous Route 66.
For non-locals, that’s most of you, this implies the route will likely be within the coronary heart of downtown, close to the well-known Grant Park. I’d count on Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, and the famed Buckingham Fountain to be a part of the backdrop.
It’s additionally felony in the event that they don’t recreate The Blues Brothers (or The Dark Knight, for you youthful people) and use a part of Lower Wacker Drive.
Non-race followers will complain, NASCAR followers will descend upon downtown, the SearsWillis Tower will look nice on TV, and the racecar engines will sound nice bouncing across the city canyons, to the dismay of native residents hoping for a day nap.
Should be enjoyable.
Update: It seems this turned official as I engaged on the put up. See you subsequent summer season, NASCAR.
[Image: NASCAR]
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Source: www.thetruthaboutcars.com