NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Show Enthusiasm for Historic Downtown Chicago Street Race

Prior to the 2022 NASCAR race hosted at the Los Angeles Coliseum, racer Kevin Harvick harbored misgivings. He quickly, however, became a fan. Now, he faces the Cup Series’ inaugural street race with a spirit of openness.

“These unique events have a way of reshaping your mindset about how you approach them,” Harvick shared, “especially when you experience the palpable excitement – you can literally sense it and see it.”

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After an extensive period of anticipation and intrigue, the NASCAR Cup Series is set to roar down the streets of downtown Chicago on Sunday, culminating a thrilling weekend for the sport filled with concerts and assorted entertainment.

The race circuit, a 2.2-mile stretch featuring 12 turns, includes seven right-angle turns. Numerous potential hazards such as manhole covers and transitions between concrete and asphalt could pose challenges, including the pit road near Buckingham Fountain. Even restarts might prove challenging.

“There are certainly narrow segments. I believe that will spark many discussions,” mentioned Chase Elliott, who is on a quest for his first win this season. “Passing may become challenging once the race is underway and everyone is up to speed. However, I hope we can diversify the strategies and tactics.”

As drivers took the course for a test run on Saturday, spectators were captivated. The roar of the stock-car engines echoed off the towering buildings around Grant Park. Pedestrians on Michigan Avenue paused to capture the excitement on their phones. Some even climbed atop a train station to gain a better view.

The spectacle that downtown Chicago has become was exactly what NASCAR envisioned when it entered a three-year contract with the city and announced the event last year.

Harvick revealed, “They informed us that over 80% of the fans attending this weekend have never seen a NASCAR race. To expand the sport, we must engage in initiatives such as this.”

The coveted Chicago market sees NASCAR’s return in its 75th season. Despite having hosted 19 Cup races at the Joliet-based Chicagoland Speedway, a 45-mile drive from downtown, NASCAR withdrew four years ago.

The move to downtown Chicago, a location expected to attract new fans, puts the drivers on a rugged and narrow course, leaving little margin for error. A collision in such a compact area could result in a quick pileup.

The major challenge, according to Martin Truex Jr., is to “figure out your braking marks and understand where you can push a bit more, considering the bumps and the different types of road surfaces.”

PAST EVENTS

The Chicago Street Race marks the 177th distinct track for the NASCAR Cup Series, as well as the 100th race in Illinois.

The Cup Series last raced downtown in Chicago at Soldier Field in 1956, a race won by Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts in a Pete DePaolo Ford.

STANDINGS

Truex currently tops the Cup Series standings with 576 points, closely followed by William Byron and Ross Chastain, both with 558 points. Bell and Kyle Busch round out the top five.

The top 16 in the standings will advance to the playoffs. Currently, the last five postseason spots are filled by Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suárez, all of whom are yet to secure a win this season.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Kyle Larson is the favorite at 5-1, with Kyle Busch at 6-1 and Truex at 7-1. … Success on road courses could translate to the street circuit in Chicago. With seven career road course victories, Elliott is NASCAR’s active leader, closely followed by Truex with five. So far this season, Tyler Reddick won at Austin and Truex came first at Sonoma in the Cup Series’ two road course races.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Downtown Chicago NASCAR Street Race

More about Downtown Chicago NASCAR Street Race

• NASCAR Official Site
• NASCAR Cup Series Standings
• Martin Truex Jr.’s Performance
• History of NASCAR
• The 2022 Race at Los Angeles Coliseum