LOCAL INFO | NASCAR CHICAGO STREET RACE

WE'RE EXCITED TO SHOWCASE THE CITY OF CHICAGO TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD!

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETING NASCAR hosted a community engagement meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, to share information about the upcoming Chicago Street Race Weekend.

Representatives from NASCAR, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, and others were present and responded to questions from the community.

Couldn't attend?

LOCAL INFO

Working closely with the City of Chicago, we have significantly reduced the build schedule for 2025.

Faster Park Build

Total build time: 25 days
42% reduction from 2023 (down from 43 days in 2023 and 38 days in 2024)
E. Ida B. Wells Dr. open 20 days longer

NASCAR Activity in the Park Starts Later

First activity 16 days before the event (10 days later than 2024)

Shorter Street Impacts For Course Build

Total traffic impact : 18 days
28% reduction from 2023 (7 days less than 2023 and 1 day less than 2024)
Michigan Ave. (Ida B. Wells Dr. to Jackson Dr.) impact reduced by 5 days

The City of Chicago and NASCAR officials have worked closely to develop a traffic plan that outlines street closures, parking restrictions, and pedestrian routes in and around Grant Park. As Chicago gears up to host the third annual NASCAR Chicago Street Race, residents and visitors are encouraged to be mindful of the traffic impacts and, safety measures.

As the course and viewing structures are assembled and disassembled, the City of Chicago and NASCAR officials are working to further minimize the impacts of street closures, parking restrictions, reroutes, and traffic. All businesses and residences will remain accessible during course set up, race weekend, and the break-down.

For additional questions, please contact [email protected].

These routes are scheduled to be available; however, additional streets may be closed by the City of Chicago, if deemed necessary.

DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Northbound will remain open from South Shore Dr. to I-55 merger. To visit the Museum Campus:
Exit at 31st St. and utilize Fort Dearborn Dr. to proceed north and access 18th St.
DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Southbound will remain open from Hollywood Blvd. to Randolph St.
Inner DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will remain open in both directions.
Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions.
Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions.
Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) will remain open in both directions.
Stevenson Expressway (I-55) will remain open in both directions.

In the Loop - the following streets remain open:

State St., Dearborn St., Clark St.,
LaSalle St., Wells St., Franklin St., Upper Wacker Dr., Lower Wacker Dr., Randolph St.,
Washington St., Madison St., Roosevelt Rd. - West of Michigan Ave., 18th St.
Columbus Dr Underpass and Lakefront Trail including Monroe St to Roosevelt Rd remain open throughout event

To stay up to date on the latest information, please follow us on social media or download the Chicago OEMC app. The Chicago OEMC app is a great tool to download as street closures and other event information will be added in the coming weeks. The app is now available through the Apple App and Google Play stores. To immediately download, click HERE or visit the website Chicago.gov/oemc.

Please pay attention to posted signage detailing parking restrictions. Vehicles that are not removed from the street by the designated date and time will be ticketed and towed as we ensure the streets are at full capacity. For inquiries about towed vehicles, call 312-744-4444. Find your Vehicle Website.

We appreciate your support in creating a safe environment for the community residents, visitors, and spectators of the event.

Check out the maps below to help you easily access a variety of businesses and attractions in the area. Be sure to check back soon—updated event maps are on the way!

LOCAL INFORMATION FAQS

What impact will the NASCAR Chicago Street Race have on traffic and street closures?

With thousands of participants and spectators along the route, as well as street closures prior and during the race, those traveling downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods should allow extra time, expect delays, or consider alternate routes–such as the expressway system–to avoid the impacts of the race.

NASCAR, OEMC, and the City of Chicago have worked together to minimize the impact of street closures to residents and visitors. A detailed street closure and traffic plan is available at www.nascarchicago.com/local-info/

Shorter Street Impacts For Course Build

1. Total traffic impact : 18 days

2. 28% reduction from 2023 (7 days less than 2023 and 1 day less than 2024)

3. Michigan Ave. (Ida B. Wells Dr. to Jackson Dr.) impact reduced by 5 days

How long will Grant Park be closed to the public for the race?

Maintaining as much public access as possible to Grant Park during set-up and teardown for the race is a priority so we have reduced the overall schedule by 13 days in 2025.

Phased event setup begins June 19th and load-out will be completed by July 14. Areas such as Buckingham Fountain, Butler Field and Lower Hutchinson Field will remain accessible for much of this time.

Most of the course build will take place on curbs and areas of the Park without impeding residents’ use/access to the vast majority of the Park.

It’s important to note that Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, and the Museum Campus, which are not part of the event footprint, will remain open and accessible throughout.

The Chicago Park District will prioritize public access during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, keeping more than half of the park open during the event, including set-up and tear-down.

In addition, NASCAR will host free festival activities associated with the Chicago Street Race in Butler Field, inviting the public to join in the race week festivities and learn more about NASCAR without the price of admission. Maggie Daley Park, Cancer Survivor's Garden, and the Museum Campus will remain open and accessible throughout the event.

How do I access the Museum Campus, which includes Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium?

The Museum Campus will remain open and accessible throughout the event.

Columbus Underpass and the Chicago Lakefront Bicycle Path will remain open throughout the event (this includes Monroe St. and Roosevelt Rd.).

If you’re driving between July 3-8:

To visit the Museum Campus from the South: Exit DuSable Lake Shore Dr. at 31st St. and utilize Fort Dearborn Dr. to proceed north and access 18th Dr.

To visit the Museum Campus from the North: Access Stevenson Expressway (I-55N)/ and merge onto N/DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Exit at 18th Dr.

What impact will the sound generated by the race have on neighbors?

NASCAR has worked hard to ensure that the weekend schedule reflects less than 10 hours total of “on-track” time over the two-day event. Race cars will not be on-track until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5 and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. In addition, the NASCAR Cup Series cars will utilize mufflers for the Chicago Street Race, which successfully lowered sound levels by as much as 10 decibels during the last two race weekends.

Tennis Courts and Pickleball Courts

Due to public safety concerns, Tennis Courts and Pickleball Courts will be closed June 30 - July 7th.

Will the Lakefront Path remain open?

Yes, the Lakefront Path will remain open throughout the entirety of the event.

I live on one of the access streets, how do I access my garage?

NASCAR will work with each residential building within the race footprint 30-60 days prior to the event to develop individualized accessibility plans for each impacted building.

Where can I walk my dog?

Due to public safety concerns the Grant Park Dog Park will be closed from July 5th – 6th. An approved location near the Grant Skate Park off of Roosevelt Road (between Michigan Ave. and the railway) will be used as a temporary dog park. For more information on Dog Friendly Areas, please click HERE.

Will the sidewalks on Michigan Avenue be open throughout the event?

Yes, the sidewalk along the West side of Michigan Avenue will remain open for pedestrians throughout the event.

How is NASCAR investing in the Chicago community?  

NASCAR is fully committed to the Chicago community beyond the race itself and is working hard to ensure that our presence in Chicago will deliver real, tangible benefits to our residents, youth, and local business community. Led by NASCAR veteran and Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese, NASCAR has established a full-time office in Chicago with a team that lives, works, and volunteers in the Chicago community 365-days a year -- further demonstrating NASCAR’s long-term commitment to Chicago.

NASCAR has invested more than $5 million in community-based initiatives, partnering with the Special Olympics of Illinois, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, After School Matters, All Kids Bike, and other organizations to engage youth around STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and career development.

How will the course be secured?

The 2.2-mile course will be fully enclosed by a barrier & fence system widely used by street courses across the world. It’s comprised of a series of concrete blocks with a fence attached to the top. This temporary barrier system is approved by the FIA, the worldwide governing body of motorsports.

What impact will the race have on Chicago’s streets?

While the race cars will be going faster than normal vehicular traffic, the race cars slow considerably in the turns (of which there are 12 across the 2.2-mile course), thus minimizing wear and tear. A maximum of 41 race cars will compete during windows of on-track activity, compared to tens of thousands of cars that may pass through these areas during the same timeframe under normal circumstances.

What is the NASCAR Chicago Street Race doing to ensure my safety?

In conjunction with local, state, and national public safety officials, NASCAR has developed a comprehensive security plan in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) to ensure the safety of everyone associated with the Chicago Street Race and the general public in the area.

If you see something, say something

The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Where do I sign up for Emergency, Traffic and Weather Notifications?

The City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will continue to monitor the event in collaboration with public safety partners and the Chicago Police Department will enforce restrictions in Grant Park and the affected area as well as facilitate traffic. OEMC will issue any alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on street closures, reroutes, weather conditions and emergencies.  Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices and issues affecting businesses:

CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5

CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

Residents and visitors are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC app. The app is a great tool to receive alerts, safety tips, the weather forecast, street closures, event information and more. The app is available through the app store or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC

I am a local business or community organization. How can I partner with NASCAR for the 2025 Chicago Street Race?

Our business and community partners are front-and-center throughout the Chicago Street Race. Please contact [email protected] to learn more.

To find out how to get involved as a supplier, complete this form here.

The 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race had a total economic impact of $128 million, an increase of over 17% compared to the inaugural race in 2023, and generated $9.6 million in state and local taxes. The race also contributed $43.5 million in media value, 84% more than 2023, thanks in large part to an increase in international media coverage.

USE THE PAM™ 3D MAP TO FIND YOUR WAY DURING RACE WEEKEND

Be sure to download the NASCAR Tracks App and share your location to start navigating to major points of interest within the 2025 Chicago Street Race footprint.

Download it today!