NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace was succinct with his thoughts on if the Chicago Street Race should return next year.
“If it rains again, we ain’t coming back,” Wallace said jokingly.
For the third consecutive year, Sunday’s Grant Park 165 will likely have some rain impact the race. Rain has forced the Chicago Street Race to shorten its past two races.
Rain has been a prevalent issue each year of the Chicago Street Race, robbing fans of the overall experience, and this year could be the final race in Chicago — this is the final year of the original three-year contract signed between NASCAR and the city, although there are two option years.
Drivers have enjoyed coming to Chicago and staying downtown, and the different challenges that the street course presents, but they feel that fans haven’t truly experienced all that NASCAR has to offer.
“We haven’t even given [the Chicago Street Race] a fair shake yet because of the weather, but I do think it’s been pretty successful,” Joey Logano told the Sun-Times. “I like moving things around. I like trying different things, and this is obviously way out of our comfort zone.”
Despite the rain, drivers still see the appeal of the Chicago Street Race. The sport is attracting new fans and is a boon for sponsors. Though there’s a course at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, it can’t replicate the vibe and convenience that Chicago offers.
There are reports that San Diego will host a street race next year, but even then, it won’t have the cultural resonance that Chicago provides.
“I believe [Chicago’s] an important place for us,” said Denny Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI with Michael Jordan. “Chicagoland is not a substitute for this race. I’d like to see us run both.”
McDonald’s is a prominent partner with 23XI, and its headquarters reside in Chicago. 23XI has Wallace, Riley Herbst and Tyler Reddick in the race, emphasizing the importance of the street race for sponsors. Hamlin said the event is one of the biggest because of the atmosphere it generates, but the rain has hindered the fan experience.
Ryan Blaney, who drives the No. 12 Ford for Penske, said the rain doesn’t affect the drivers as much. He said that “it’s never really comfortable” driving through rainy conditions, but experiencing it the past two years has helped.”
“It stinks more for the people coming out to watch,” Blaney said. “I feel bad for the spectators that want to come out to the race with their whole families because it’s a huge weekend and, you know, it’s a special, unique race in Chicago.”
Despite the narrow course, drivers still enjoy the experience due to its proximity to the course. Wallace, who finished in 13th place last year after being clipped by Alex Bowman, said he relishes the opportunity to run into fans as he heads to restaurants.
Hamlin shared a similar sentiment, saying he was out shopping on Friday and overheard fans discussing how they were considering attending the race this year after declining to do so last season due to the rain.
“That’s what you want,” Hamlin said. “These are young people that … they’re not going to travel to Chicagoland for a race. You have to have it right here, where they belong to it. So I don’t know if anyone shares the same sentiment.”
“I don’t run the series, I don’t make the decisions. But it just seems like there’s more excitement around the venue itself than a normal NASCAR race.”