NASCAR is nearing a deal with the city to bring the Chicago Street Race back to Grant Park in 2027, according to media reports.
Block Club Chicago was the first to report that NASCAR was finalizing plans to hold the race again. The street race was held for three summers — 2023 through 2025 — over the July 4th weekend in Grant Park.
For the next time around, race organizers are looking to move the event up from July, holding it instead closer to the 2027 Sueños Festival (May 29-30) and Memorial Day (May 31), according to Block Club.
But no deal has formally been announced by the city or NASCAR. Jake DiGregorio, a spokesperson with NASCAR, told the Sun-Times “the 2027 schedule is still in development.”
Leslie Recht, president of the Grant Park Advisory Council, shared the potential plan with Block Club and the Chicago Tribune. When reached by the Sun-Times, she declined to comment.
The Athletic, a sports outlet owned by The New York Times, first reported NASCAR’s potential return nearly three weeks ago.
Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) told the Sun-Times he’s aware the city is working on a deal, but he has not received a finalized agreement. Hopkins and his fellow downtown City Council members expect to be briefed on any new deal, he said.
In 2022, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot inked a three-year contract with NASCAR to host the Chicago Street Race in Grant Park. That contract did allow for two possible one-year extensions in 2026 and 2027.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office and a Chicago Parks District spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Contributing: David Struett