Can NASCAR Make Chicago Work?
There’s no doubt about it that NASCAR would like to make the Chicago market work. The nations third largest city deserves NASCAR representation. They already go to LA (2nd largest) and over the last three years, have neglected the third. Now, they’re back.
This time, instead of being in Joliet as they were from 2001 through 2019, about an hour south of the downtown skyway, they’re bringing NASCAR to the city streets.
While this race is met with eager anticipation, it’s also had some critics complaining about the noise and closures of city streets around Grant Park which is a popular summer destination. Even the local government officials have swung some drawback NASCAR’s direction.
As a result, some wondered if this was a one-year experiment and even though it’s the first of a multi-year agreement, the new city major could just pay the penalty to get out of the contract early and leave NASCAR in Chicago as a one-and-done.
Is Street Racing The New Fad In Racing?
Look, I’m surprised it’s taken 75 years for NASCAR to try this. I think this absolutely will be something we see more of in the future of the sport. F1 does it multiple times annually. INDYCAR has staged five races a year on them the last several years. So why not NASCAR?
Street racing is something that’s taking over here in America. 2 of the 3 F1 visits to America are on the city streets. 5 of INDYCAR’s 17 races are on them too.
Just look at the destinations that they’re also choosing.
F1 has Miami and Las Vegas. INDYCAR has St. Petersburg, Long Beach, Detroit and Nashville while also taking a visit north of the border to Toronto.
NASCAR hadn’t adopted this model yet, but now has.
While the racing may leave more to be desired, this type of event isn’t something that new fans necessarily care about like we all do. We all know what racing entails and want to see the intricacies of it.
Street races typically don’t allow for that but is also why we’re not the demographic they’re after either. They already have us.
They’re after capturing more fans that typically don’t come to these races or even know much about the sport. Street races are a way to come to them rather than NASCAR hoping that they come to you.
The Chicagoland Speedway saw crowds diminish over the years to 50k being a generous amount of fans in the stands. By going to downtown areas, you can easily double that as people that wouldn’t have ever thought about going to Joliet, will go downtown to see what all the fuss is about just to be around a crowd and try something different.
The hope is they like what they saw and the atmosphere around it and come not only back, but to more races in the future.
Why Chicago Is Just The Latest Example Of NASCAR’s Vision?
Ben Kennedy has been pondering this since 2019 and now his vision is coming to light. NASCAR knows that with race tracks usually in the middle of no where, they’re hit a ceiling on their growth. There’s an untapped market of fans in urban markets that they’re seeking.
“I’d say the genesis for this idea was actually probably sometime around when we came up with the idea of the L.A. Coliseum in the fall of 2019,” Kennedy said. Kind of had this concept that we’d been working on for a little while, working to fruition for the virtual event last year.
“I would say the work really started probably a year or so ago. Really over the past 90 days I would say a majority of that work has happened, culminating in today’s event.
“Certainly, a lot of work that’s been done.”
Just look at where these new tracks are at. Nashville. St. Louis. Los Angeles. Now Chicago.
“Like the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, we seized an incredible opportunity to add an unprecedented element to our schedule and take center stage in the heart of another major metropolitan market,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing development and strategy. “This is the ideal setting for the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street race. The NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen cars and the IMSA machines will race along the shores of Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago, marking a truly historic moment for our sport. We are very appreciative of Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her team, along with the entire City of Chicago for working with us to make this concept a reality.”
I think NASCAR has a clear vision on the future schedules now. The aim is bigger markets. In saying that, how do you bring fans in big metropolitan areas to your sport?
That answer they’ve now found simple – you come to them.
“I think to your point, it’s an opportunity to bring the racing action to our fans and to bring some new fans out to the track to sample our sport and sample the Cup Series that haven’t had the opportunity to do so before,” Kennedy said. “I think that’s part of the calculus.
“On top of that, as well, going to the Los Angeles market, but also going to downtown Los Angeles, which is another five- to 10-minute drive from the Los Angeles Coliseum.
“I think it brings an opportunity to really bring the racing action to the fans that are in these larger markets where you have a lot of fans and give them the opportunity to not only come out and experience the race but also come out for the first time to even see what it’s like.”
2023 will see NASCAR racing in downtown Los Angeles and downtown Chicago now.
Should NASCAR Go Back To Daytona On This Weekend?
For the third time in four years, we have a new track on a marquee date. Indianapolis was in this spot in 2020. Road America took over in 2021 and again in 2022. Now, it’s Chicago’s turn to shine on the Fourth of July weekend.
The question is, will this date be a revolving door or is the perfect spot being overlooked?
From 1959 through 2019, the annual pilgrimage for this weekend always went through Daytona Beach. It felt weird when we went to Indianapolis in 2020. Even more so was that it was behind closed doors. Road America was well attended but not well watched from home.
Is Chicago here to stay or are we looking at a fifth different venue in 6 years?
“For me, I have personal ties to Daytona and just the July 4 race being there because that’s how I grew up, and that’s where I’ve spent over probably half of the July 4ths in my life,” Chase Elliott said a few years ago.
However, is Daytona in its best place on the schedule or should it just get moved back? I get the notion on why it’s here. NASCAR wants to end the regular season on a place to where anyone in the field can win. It makes sense to keep the attention on the playoff field all the way through. It builds excitement and this weekend has a lot of it surrounding the race.
In saying that, I still don’t like Daytona’s summer race here in this spot. I never have. It doesn’t feel right. So what can you do then?
The Daytona 500 will never move from February. As it shouldn’t. NASCAR isn’t going to move Talladega from the playoffs. As they shouldn’t. With each track having 2 dates annually how do you place them on the calendar?
Talladega’s 1st race has to be far enough apart from the Fall race to not make NASCAR want to end the regular season there. That leaves this race to fill this race weekend.
However, now that Atlanta is a drafting track, does it open the door to maybe replace Daytona in this spot and allow Daytona to move back to the 4th of July weekend?
It’s no secret, the best place selfishly is for the ‘400 to always be run on the Fourth of July weekend. It just feels right. It always has. This race on this weekend just feels awkward. It doesn’t feel right.
I get the notion of it. It works. But it has just seemed off. I feel like moving the ‘400 back to it’s traditional date would spark a rise in attendance too so why not find something else to take Daytona’s place in this date and find a path to get Daytona back to where it belongs.
The 4th is a major date on the schedule and Road America didn’t deliver the ratings that Daytona could there. Atlanta’s summer race isn’t working. It’s too hot. The attendance and ratings aren’t favorable there either. With being a Sunday night race this year, can it work?
Atlanta being a night race to wrap up the regular season would be ideal because it’s not as pot luck as Daytona would be but a hybrid instead. The drivers may favor that better instead of what Daytona offers.
A lot of people never felt like having a Speedway race set the final playoff spot was fair. I get the notion you want to make it eligible for everyone to still have a shot, but isn’t Atlanta the most level playing field for both sides?
You can Speedway race but also get some separation. You had Spire running for a win and a championship front runner still reaching victory lane. We saw a pair of Trackhouse cars, a Petty Ware car, a Spire car and Kaulig car in the top 10 at the end of the July race. It’s a perfect fit to move Atlanta to the regular season finale and Daytona back to July.
You boost Daytona, boost Atlanta and help TV in the process…
Who Are The Teams To Watch?
This is something that is brought up as this event being more of an unknown. However, recent years have shown us that you shouldn’t over think it.
The top teams in the sport are typically the top teams on first-time events. Among the last 10 inaugural races or 1st time back to a track in a long time (North Wilkesboro), Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske have combined to have won nine of the 10. That dates back to 2018. the last inaugural trips prior were in 2011 (Kentucky) and 2001 (Kansas, Chicagoland)
Inaugural Events Since 2018 with Race Winners
2018: Charlotte ROVAL: Ryan Blaney (Team Penske)
2020: Daytona ROVAL: Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports)
2021: Bristol Dirt: Joey Logano (Team Penske)
2021: COTA: Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports)
2021: Nashville: Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports)
2021: Road America: Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports)
2021: Indianapolis Motor Speedway: AJ Allmendinger (Kaulig Racing)
2022: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: Joey Logano (Team Penske) *Non points paying
2022: World Wide Technology Raceway: Joey Logano (Team Penske)
2023: North Wilkesboro: Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) *Non points paying
As you can see, it’s big named drivers with big named teams with the exception of Allmendinger who’s quite honestly, a road racing ace.
Which is why I expect the big drivers and teams to shine in Chicago.
In 2020, Elliott’s win in Daytona (ROVAL) was in a championship winning season. Larson won Nashville and Elliott won COTA and Road America. Both made the Championship 4 with Larson being the champion. In 2022, Logano won the Clash (Coliseum) and Gateway and won the title.
Which is why I suspect this weekend’s winner in Chicago will be a top contender for the championship too.
Race Review Online 