In the sticky heat of July, Chicago’s usually busy downtown streets were transformed into a makeshift race track for the third annual NASCAR Chicago Street Race.
The weekend’s festivities kicked off on Saturday, July 5, with the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race. There were multiple areas throughout the site for fans and attendees to enjoy themselves and catch a break from the sun at attractions under the trees and in the housed merchandise area.
Two show cars adorned with “25” flanked attendees as they walked through the NASCAR Village at Butler Field. While making their way to the ticketed race area, attendees overheard the roar of racecars piercing through Butler Field.
On the left side of the field, attendees were encouraged to compete in tests of strength offered by recruiters from both the U.S. Army and Navy to win free prizes. The Air Force also featured a large trailer for “Activate: Special Warfare,” a virtual reality experience.
Air Force Lt. Andrew Palmer came from Wisconsin to be a “goodwill ambassador” for the community and has had a great experience working with NASCAR.
“NASCAR is huge supporters of the Air Force,” said Palmer. “In the past, we’ve had cars that are sponsored by the Air Force, so they’re really glad to have us.”
Trailers for NASCAR Merchandise were featured on the right side of the field, with opportunities to meet drivers such as Ross Chastain and Chase Elliot.
Jeremy Stenike has been attending the Chicago Street Race since it began. He was one of dozens of attendees waiting in line to meet Elliot, who’s competing in the Cup Series under Hendrick Motorsports. Stenike liked that he was able to take the Metra from Elmhurst to attend the event.
“I can’t drive, so this is the perfect opportunity for me to get to races,” said Stenike. “I love the easy access, and I think it’s really great exposure to the city of Chicago.”
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race series began in 2022 under then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot as a way for Chicago to garner more national attention. The deal made under Lightfoot’s term was good for three years, making this the last Chicago Street Race currently under contract.
With talks to possibly move the Street Race series to San Diego in 2026, it is still unclear whether or not Mayor Brandon Johnson will sign an extended deal with NASCAR to continue the race in the city.
Siobhan Connaghan, a Pilsen resident and Levy Restaurant employee, was working at the Liquid Death stand inside the Fan Plaza. In this section, located near Buckingham Fountain, there were multiple booths, tents and stands for ticketed fans to enjoy, separate from the general public, each sporting different brands and organizations.
Connaghan wasn’t too worried about the race moving locations after this year, though she expressed concerns pertaining to Chicago.
“I feel like [the event] does probably bring a lot of business to the city, so it would probably be a loss for the city if they don’t have it next year,” she said. “We’ll see how much money I make, and we’ll see if I’m sad or not.”
Sarah Kitchen, an Appleton, Wisconsin resident who was working the Mike’s Hard Lemonade area inside the Fan Plaza, was excited to be a part of the event as it was her first time working at the Chicago race.
Kitchen, who has been a racing fan for a couple of years, had no idea about the possibility of the race moving to the West Coast, and said that the race taking place in Chicago allowed for the event to exude a “bit of an edge.”
“This is right downtown between the beautiful lake, the gorgeous city,” she said. “I think this setting, you couldn’t beat it.”
Brad Parrott, crew chief for driver Kyle Sieg, has been in the racing business for 40 years now, but has only known Sieg for three years and has been working for him for about four weeks.
Kyle Sieg competes for RSS Racing, a family-owned team, alongside his brother Ryan Sieg.
Parrott, who is from Charlotte, North Carolina, said that he wants to keep the race going in Chicago and feels that he and his crew “need” to keep coming back to the city.
“New venues are the name of our sport, and as long as NASCAR enjoys it, we enjoy it,” he said.
Parrot cited the overall love of racing for keeping him around in the field for so long.
“You come here, you entertain folks that sponsor the race cars, you mentor people,” he said. “I got 19 wins as a crew chief, so the drive to win keeps bringing me back.”
Copy edited by Vanessa Orozco
