![City of Chicago endorses NASCAR race for 3-year stretch beginning in 2023 City of Chicago endorses NASCAR race for 3-year stretch beginning in 2023](https://cdn-media.theathletic.com/5vZTrBugWvxE_5vZTrBugWvxE_xDkt5a2S62SS_original_1440x960.png)
NASCAR’s dream of holding a race on the streets of Chicago appears poised to become a reality.
According to a letter obtained by The Athletic through a public records request, the City of Chicago has expressed its endorsement for an event to be held in the city for a three-year stretch beginning in 2023.
“Chicago is incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as host of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Course events, and we stand ready to welcome NASCAR fans to our world class city,” the letter states. “This would be a historic partnership for NASCAR and the city of Chicago, and our department is committed to collaborating and supporting NASCAR to execute the events in a safe and secure manner.”
No contract is officially signed between NASCAR and the city, but an announcement is tentatively planned for July 19, sources confirmed to The Athletic. While something could scuttle NASCAR racing in the third-largest media market, the deal is expected to be finalized.
The letter from the city is addressed to Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing development and strategy and great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and signed by Erin Harkey, commissioner, Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, City of Chicago.
“As Commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), I am thrilled about the potential opportunity to host the NASCAR Street Course events here in Chicago,” Harkey wrote to Kennedy. “DCASE is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy, and our strong partnership with the Chicago Sports Commission ensures that NASCAR fans would be treated to a diverse and unforgettable experience.”
NASCAR holding a race on a temporary street course in downtown Chicago is in line with Kennedy’s initiative to transform the Cup Series schedule by adding big events in major markets, races that generate increased fan interest and removing redundancies such as some tracks hosting multiple races.
Recent changes to the schedule include an exhibition inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway, plus races added at Nashville Superspeedway, Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis, and Road America in northern Wisconsin.
(Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski / USA Today)
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