Published 04/11/2023, 12:16 PM EDT
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 02: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (Editors note: This image was computer generated in-game) James Davison, driver of the #15 Chevrolet races during the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Chicago Street Course on June 02, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Ever since NASCAR announced its first-ever street course race in downtown Chicago, the whole event has been shrouded in controversy and criticism. Of course, there’s the section of fans and purists who were left wondering just why did the sport need to take the stock car racing to a street circuit.
But then there was another section of critics—the people of Chicago—who were convinced that the two-day event in July could seriously affect their day-to-day lives.
And according to a recent report, they may have a pretty solid point there.
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NASCAR’s Street Course race may cause major problems for Chicago Locals
According to Chicago Sun Times, it was recently announced that several roads and lanes will be closed when NASCAR rolls into town in July. The closures will take place on DuSable Lake Shore Drive for six days from Monroe to McFetridge Drive while Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive will close for two days.
Along with them, Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue will also remain closed.
What could make matters worse for the locals is the assumption that it may take NASCAR almost two weeks after the race to remove its grandstands and track walls on the proposed circuit.
Downtown 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, a critic of the race since Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the three-year deal in July, blasted the announcement Monday. He said, “There’s no questions that the inconvenience will be significantly more extensive than what we were initially led to believe.
“To have LSD closed during a prime summer time, when the Kennedy is under construction, it will have a cascading effect.”
But here’s the thing, it’s not all bad.
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NASCAR Street Race may be a big boost for Chicago’s economy
Apart from the negatives and the criticisms of the race, it’s also worth noting that NASCAR’s street course race could massively benefit the local economy by potentially infusing $113 million.
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It’s expected that the races could attract a lot of out-of-town fans, as many as 65,000 of the expected 100,000 spectators.
via Imago July 19, 2022: NASCAR Cup Series cars of Bubba Wallace 23, Chase Briscoe 14 and Ross Chastain 1 lined up in Chicago ahead of the announcement that NASCAR will run a street race in the city in 2023. – ZUMAm67_ 20220719_zaf_m67_008 Copyright: xAlexxZietlowx
“For us, being in Chicago is incredibly important,” NASCAR Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese said as per Chicago Sun Times. “It’s an important market for us from a fan perspective.”
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She also claimed the race is “a great opportunity to showcase the city as well as NASCAR.”