NASCAR Chicago Street Race to Feature Chicago Native Aaron Nelson, Cast Member from Disney’s The Lion King, and Grammy-Winning Youth Choir During Independence Day Weekend in Grant Park
CHICAGO (June 25, 2025) – Today, NASCAR announced the National Anthem lineup for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend, July 5-6 in downtown Chicago’s Grant Park. Aaron Nelson, cast member from Disney’s The Lion King, which returns to Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre October 3-19-will sing the National Anthem before Saturday’s Xfinity Series race on July 5. The internationally acclaimed Soul Children of Chicago will open the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, July 6.
“The Soul Children of Chicago and The Lion King‘s Aaron Nelson represent the very best of Chicago’s talent, heart, and culture, and we’re honored to have their voices lead us into such an important day for our fans, our sport, and our city,” said Julie Giese, President of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. “The Chicago Street Race is all about celebrating the best of Chicago and featuring these artists with such deep community roots reflects our commitment to honoring the people and the stories that make our city so special.”
Founded in 1981 by Dr. Walt Whitman, Jr., the Soul Children of Chicago is a Grammy Award-winning youth choir that provides music and mentorship opportunities to children ages 7 to 17 from across the city. The group has performed around the globe, from the White House to international stages – with a goal to empower Chicago youth through music. Their participation in the NASCAR Chicago Street Race reflects the event’s continued commitment to showcasing local culture on an international stage during the race weekend.
“Our mission has always been to uplift and inspire through music,” said Dr. Walt Whitman, Founder and Director of Soul Children of Chicago. “Having the chance to perform in front of our city and sing for a global audience is not only an honor – it’s a powerful reminder of what our young voices are capable of.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Aaron Nelson will return to the Cadillac Palace Theatre this October when Broadway In Chicago will present Disney’s The Lion King. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Nelson made his Broadway debut as the youngest Adult Simba in the show’s history and is honored to be among the few actors to cover the “Big 3” roles-Simba, Mufasa, and Scar-notably becoming the first African American to perform as Scar on this tour. Nelson’s regional theatre credits include columbinus 2.0 and Rent (American Theater Company), and Dreamgirls (Theater 47). He made his television debut on NBC’s “Chicago Fire” and has also appeared on CBS’s “FBI: Most Wanted.”
“Standing in Grant Park-in Chicago, a city where I first fell in love with performing-and leading thousands of NASCAR fans in the National Anthem is a full-circle moment for me,” said Broadway star Aaron Nelson. “Chicago has invested in my dreams and on Saturday I hope to return that gift by showing young people across the city that their voices and their passions can carry them anywhere”
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race – which was named “Sports Event of the Year” by Sports Business Journal – previously announced new ticket options, along with reduced prices throughout the footprint, and a shorter overall build schedule. Guests will also enjoy significantly lower price points on Grounds Pass tickets and reserved seating (which now includes a new single-day option as well). Single-day Grounds Pass tickets start at $123.08 including ALL taxes and fees (35% less than last year), and Frontstretch Premier Grandstands Reserved seats are available at nearly a 50% reduction from 2024 prices.
Fans can subscribe to receive exclusive NASCAR Chicago Street Race emails for ticketing alerts. For a complete listing of ticketing options or to purchase tickets, fans can visit NASCARChicago.com or call 888-629-7223. Follow @NASCARChicago on Instagram, X and Facebook and download the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest real-time updates on all aspects of the event.
About NASCAR Chicago Street Race
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is home to the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street race in the history of the sport. Located in downtown Chicago, the 2025 NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series races will once again take competitors past and through many of the city’s most renowned downtown landmarks on Michigan Avenue, South Columbus Drive, South DuSable Lake Shore Drive and the start-finish line near Buckingham Fountain. Southern rock superstars Zac Brown Band will headline the one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment experience, which will return to Grant Park July 5-6, 2025. For more information, visit NASCARChicago.com.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
About Soul Children
Founded in 1981 by Dr. Walt Whitman, Jr., the Soul Children of Chicago is a Grammy Award-winning youth choir that provides music and mentorship opportunities to children ages 7 to 17 from across the city. The group has performed around the globe, from the White House to international stages – with a goal to empower Chicago youth through music.
About Broadway In Chicago
Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to present Disney’s touring shows in Chicago, which include Beauty and the Beast (July 9-August 2) and The Lion King (October 3-19) at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 25 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium.
For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
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