NASCAR?s Latest Nail on the Coffin Has Fans Calling Out Windy City

NASCAR’s debut Chicago Street Course race caught the attention of many racing fans around the globe. In many ways the first of its kind, the race saw stock car racers racing through the historic streets of Chicago. The need for holding the race amidst the dense skyscrapers of the windy city can be understood by looking at the aging demographics of NASCAR viewers. The goal was to attract a young and diverse crowd. And the street course road race did the exact same thing.

Attaining a huge viewership and following, the street course quickly became the talk of the town as fans began going berserk over the thrills that it provided. Fast forward a few months to today, and the after-effects of the race are visible. In a recent poll conducted for the residents of Chicago, a shocking result surfaced in regard to the fate of the street course, and it has left fans fuming.

Chicago Street Course race to be called off in 2024?

Trackhouse Racing‘s Shane Van Gisbergen saw victory lane at the end of the 100-lap street race. While the entire community has been looking forward to the schedule next year, a surprising twist appears to be on the horizon. The first Chicago Street Race ought to be its last, according to a survey of downtown residents who had to deal with the racing spectacle firsthand.

An online poll was conducted recently for Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd ward. According to the end results of the survey, the race wasn’t enjoyed by as many people as the racing world might’ve expected.

Shockingly, of the 662 residents who participated in the poll, nearly 54.5% said that they wouldn’t want another NASCAR race at the venue. 37.2% of the participants voted for NASCAR’s return, with the others not expressing an opinion.

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But neither of the parties has the right to cancel this arrangement in the next few months. So, should the alderman decide that the race didn’t pay off, it could lead to a termination of the contract. But even the possibility of such an outcome has left racing fans disappointed.

NASCAR fans react to the possibility of not witnessing another street race in Chicago

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Considering that the poll conducted was open to anyone, the results cannot be taken as scientifically supported. A negative sample might have been at play. Alderman Reilly conceded this as well, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Nevertheless, as Sports Business Journal reporter Adam Stern shared the newspaper’s article on his “X” handle, fans were found expressing their conflicting opinions. This one Chicago resident, though, was sure that the results of the poll didn’t matter.

As others expressed their views on the news, one fan was sure that the race in 2024 would go on as scheduled. He’d tweeted, “See you in 24 Chicago”. With the contract already drawn, regardless of termination clauses, it would take a huge deal to cancel the scheduled races. Whether Alderman Reilly will be willing to go to that extent remains to be seen.

Another fan, taking the poll’s wavering sample into consideration, said, “So basically, if you seek out specific people who don’t like something, the results say that thing is bad.” The city council member himself agreed that the results weren’t scientific, and it is unlikely that they played a big role in proving the seeming majority right.

For one another, this entire ordeal seemed like an opportunity to call for a race to be scheduled at the NASCAR-abandoned Chicagoland Speedway. Tagging Steve Phelps, the president of the racing promotion, in his reply, he tweeted, “Give?this date to Chicagoland speedway for 2024 @stevephelps lets make it happen”

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The street race was estimated to bring in approximately $113 million from Chicago alone, according to a report published in February by the Sun-Times. Mentioning the economic benefits that the race would’ve had on Chicago, one fan said, “Poll the business owners who noticed increased revenue during the time NASCAR was in town and see if they like it.”

While NASCAR hasn’t yet released an official schedule for its 2024 season, an exclusive webpage for the Chicago Street Race has already been set up.?Let’s hope for positive news to emerge from official camps as we await the first race of the playoff season at the ‘too tough to tame’, Darlington Raceway.