As race cars roared past in the Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Series race, about 40 people gathered at Columbia’s 618 S. Michigan Ave. building, leaning against windows to catch the blur of color and speed below.
The viewing party offered a front-row vantage point for raffle winners and their guests, who claimed spots on the building’s second and third floors. Some opted to watch from The Hive, also on the third floor, where televisions streamed the broadcast.
This is the third year that Columbia has hosted a watch party in the 618 building, giving people the chance to see cars as they turn onto Michigan Avenue from Balbo Drive and from there onto East Congress Plaza Drive. The spot was near Turns 7 and 8 on the 2.2-mile course in the South Loop.
Many sat at the end of the tables to be as close as possible to the windows while cars sped past and the loud sounds of engines rumbling and tires squealing filled the room. Guests brought snacks and take-out to the party.
Jake Bartecki, a guest of Holly Bartecki, a part-time instructor in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, was among those in attendance.
Bartecki is a Chicago resident who has been a NASCAR fan for many years. He was in the stands at Chicago the first year and was a guest at the Columbia viewing party the second year. Additionally, he has watched races in Joliet, south of Chicago.
Bartecki said that there is a larger presence due to the urban setting of the race.
“There’s more of an atmosphere, and I’ve noticed that this year; the crowd looks twice as big,” Bartecki said.
Everardo Garcia Jr., a Columbia alum who graduated in May 2025 with a bachelor’s in film and television, said he felt that being able to watch the race was the perfect way to cap off his time at Columbia.
Garcia said he regained interest in NASCAR after watching the “F1 the Movie,” which was released last month. The film is about a retired racer who teams up with a newcomer to race once again.
“I’ve been watching a couple of races from time to time,” said Garcia.
Jevon Covington, who is entering the strategic communication master’s program this fall, said he was most excited to be able to experience the race in person rather than through a screen.
“The cars up close, the roar,” said Covington, who graduated in Spring 2025 with a bachelor’s in graphic design.
Shirley Jaehrling, who lives in Aurora outside of Chicago, said she had enjoyed the race but prefers races on bigger tracks.
“I like the one where they’re going fast,” said Jaehrling, who came with Matt Jaehrling, Columbia’s associate vice president of Business Affairs.
This is the final year in NASCAR’s three-year contract with the city, and the future of the race in the city is uncertain. Both NASCAR and city leaders are still weighing their options.
Garcia said that while he’d like for them to return, he would rather have them go to a raceway or return to the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, which has hosted NASCAR events.
“It’s a mixed reaction from me personally,” Garcia said.
Bartecki agreed, saying that it’s beneficial to move the races to different areas.
“I think the Chicago market is an important one for NASCAR, but spreading this to different cities where you have the ability to street race is also really important,” Bartecki said.
Additional reporting from Stella Huang
Copy edited by Vanessa Orozco
