The Chicago Street Course Race joined the NASCAR Cup Series calendar in 2023, marking a bold step by bringing street racing to the sport’s premier level. However, the event will not take place in 2026, though there remains an opportunity for its return in 2027. The organizers expressed gratitude to fans for making the Chicago race a global sports highlight and announced the suspension for 2026 to collaborate with the city on exploring new dates and enhancing operational efficiency, aiming to return in 2027.
This decision follows reports indicating NASCAR’s interest in shifting back to Chicagoland Speedway, an intermediate oval circuit about 50 miles away from downtown Chicago. NASCAR is also investigating other street course options and concentrating efforts on expanding street racing in San Diego. Notable moments in the Chicago races include Shane Van Gisbergen’s debut win in 2023, which helped launch his full-time NASCAR career, Alex Bowman’s victory in 2024, and Van Gisbergen reclaiming the title in 2025 after a weekend sweep including the Xfinity race. While the event has faced challenges due to rain and adverse weather, it received great enthusiasm from attendees.
Fan Take: The Chicago Street Race represented an exciting innovation by integrating urban street racing into NASCAR’s top tier, drawing new and diverse fans. Its temporary hiatus signals a strategic pause, but the prospect of its return underscores NASCAR’s commitment to expanding the sport’s horizons while refining fan experience and operational logistics.
