When Shane van Gisbergen stepped onto the streets of Chicago in 2023, few could have predicted what was about to unfold. A street-course rookie in the world of NASCAR, the New Zealand native wasn’t just trying to survive, as he was out to shock the system. And he did. In his Cup Series debut, van Gisbergen clinched a jaw-dropping win at the inaugural Chicago Street Race, becoming the first driver in over six decades to win in his first-ever Cup start.

The race itself was chaos. Rain poured. Darkness crept in. Officials cut the race from 100 to 75 laps. Van Gisbergen dropped to 18th after a late pit stop but clawed his way back to the front. On Lap 71, he overtook Justin Haley and never looked back. He won in overtime by 1.259 seconds. “You always dream of it. This is what you dream of. Hopefully, I can come and do more,” van Gisbergen said. That moment gave NASCAR a shot of international energy. And it turned the Chicago Street Race into something bigger than just a schedule filler.

But now, that very race, the one that delivered so much buzz, is at risk. Despite being one of NASCAR’s boldest experiments, the future of the Chicago Street Race hangs in the balance. It’s a three-year deal with the city that ends after the 2025 season. The uncertainty has only grown louder with insider Jordan Bianchi dropping cryptic hints, leaving fans confused, curious, and—at times—laughing at the speculation.

Insider hint sends NASCAR fans spinning

Jordan Bianchi, a well-known NASCAR insider, added fuel to the fire with a subtle but loaded reply to a fan asking about the 2026 calendar. The fan wanted to know: would Chicago stay, or was another city like San Diego on the radar? Bianchi didn’t give a straight answer. Instead, he hinted that NASCAR could be moving on. That’s all it took for fans to start speculating. His reply didn’t confirm anything. But it didn’t deny much either.

“It’s not clear whether NASCAR will return next year, but there is a growing sense in the garage that it may be time to conclude the partnership — lest diminishing returns begin to set in, much like how the Clash was shifted away from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum after three years,” he said via NY Times. However, he also hinted that in case of moving out, NASCAR might hit the Southern part of California.

“NASCAR has made it clear they want to race in Southern California, with sources involved in the discussions indicating San Diego has been explored as a host for a street-course race. It’s unclear if a deal could come together in time for 2026,” he further added. Bianchi’s non-committal stance suggested something was up. With the LA Coliseum event already being dropped after a three-year run, fans connected the dots.

One fan echoed what many were thinking: “I think these types of events (LA Coliseum, Chicago Street Race…even Bristol Dirt) are interesting as short-term events and experiments, rather than something you add and plan to keep doing perpetually.” The fan added that NASCAR should keep experimenting with new cities and new formats. The point was clear: don’t cling to novelty. Make it a rotating feature, not a permanent fixture.

That takes hold when you look at the facts. NASCAR spent big money to make the Chicago Street Race work. And the first edition was delivered, thanks to van Gisbergen’s shocking win. The 2024 race brought in a reported $128.1 million in economic impact for Chicago, a 17% jump from the year before. But that success doesn’t mean the project is sustainable long-term. It’s expensive, complicated, and controversial among locals.

NASCAR executives also have kept things vague. Earlier this year, COO Steve O’Donnell said, “We’re just looking at 2025.” In December, President Steve Phelps admitted they lost a lot of money on the race but called it “the best money we spent.” These statements sum it up. The Chicago Street Race brought eyeballs and buzz.

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Fans voice their opinion as Insider breaks the internet

NASCAR fans didn’t hold back once Bianchi dropped his hint. Many chimed in with opinions—not just about Chicago, but about what should come next. One fan said it plain: “Chicagoland and Kentucky Speedway deserve another chance with this car. There’s enough snoozer dates on the calendar to make it happen.”

And they’ve got a point. Chicagoland’s worn surface and 1.5-mile layout would be a perfect match for the Next Gen car. During its final seasons, the track was beginning to deliver better races, even with the older Gen-6 cars. Now, with a car that thrives on worn-out ovals, bringing back Chicagoland could be a win-win. Some fans took a practical angle: “Move Bristol or Martinsville spring to Chicagoland. Those events have been struggling.”

That idea isn’t far-fetched. Both tracks have had lackluster spring races in recent years, and NASCAR’s flexibility with schedule swaps opens the door for such changes. Another fan echoed the sentiments: “Even if they don’t go back to Chicagoland, then move to a new street course in another market for a while.” That’s the key tension—how do you keep the buzz without burning out the concept? The LA Coliseum wore out its welcome after three years. Chicago could be headed the same way.

Still, some held out hope for both tracks to co-exist. “The Chicago Street Course is a great event,” one fan said. “But it’s hard not to root for Chicagoland Speedway coming back. I’m not sure why both events can’t coexist.” That’s the balance NASCAR now faces. Keep the news. Bring back the old. Please the fans. Grow the sport. And do it all within the same schedule window.

With the 2025 race set to be the last under the current Chicago deal, all eyes are now on what NASCAR decides. If it’s the final lap for the Chicago Street Race, fans will expect something just as bold to take its place. And if Chicagoland makes a comeback, it better deliver. The countdown has already begun.