The clock is ticking away as one of the most awaited races in the history of NASCAR is set to commence on the 1st and 2nd of July. The preparations to host one of the greatest formats of motorsports are under full-throttle mode. The Streets of Chicago are on the verge of becoming one-of-a-kind racing tracks for the first time in the 75-year-long history of NASCAR as it breaks away from its traditional counterparts.
As NASCAR forays into the domain of street car racing, the first one of its kind, the racing cars are ready to be modified and developed in accordance with the demands of the new track.
And it seems that Tony Stewart’s team, Stewart-Haas Racing, is on stand by and has put their best foot forward, the proof being the latest tweet by the team on its official account.
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Stewart-Haas Racing unveils the prototype teaser of the car ahead of the race in Chicago
The Cup Series race at Chicago is set to race with Lake Michigan and Central Park as the backdrop. The encapsulating scenic beauty is set to take away the breath, as it attracts new fans and in the efforts of diversifying the sport.
While talking to NASCAR.com on the inauguration of the street car racing, Vice President of NASCAR Ben Kennedy revealed the fact, “We’ve talked about this before, but it gives us the ability to go into new markets. I think street courses give us that ability as well. That said, it’s important for us to keep the integrity that we’ve had in the schedule,” he added.
Kennedy further asserted, “Mile and a half, superspeedway, short tracks are all important to our schedule. Adding a street course to the schedule, I think, is going to continue to make it probably the most diverse motorsports schedule that exists out there today, and we’re really excited about that. But I think it gives us the ability, as we think on into the future to enter some of the new markets and look at some of our events in different ways.”
Nevertheless, before the teams make their headway on the street tracks, the cars have to be modified as the Next-Gen is generally suited for oval tracks and road courses. The cars on street courses have to be more balanced when it comes to suspension. As the tracks lack banking, the cars would require higher downforce. This would ensure that the cars won’t spin out on the tracks.
The video that Stewart-Haas Racing posted on its Twitter account showed the balancing and suspension testing of the prototype version of the car.
Taking a spin around the Chicago Street Course. pic.twitter.com/UtJRYYc9KK
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) June 15, 2023
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Before the race can make its grand debut on the streets of Chicago, people and many high officials of the city are already vexed at the fact how the race would disrupt the harmony of the city along with a potential traffic problem.
Brendan Reilly, the Alderman of Chicago’s 42nd Ward had showed his annoyance by expressing, “The greatest frustration that I had with this event coming to Chicago is that the way the previous administration hid it. There was no transparency, and I can tell you speaking with NASCAR. Officials after the fact, they would’ve much preferred to have come and sat with us months in advance of the announcement for this event.”
A few of the fans wrote, “With no windows or wrapping in the car, will the weight ratio be different on the course vs the shaker?”
“Pretty cool until you remember how stupid it is to race in downtown Chicago.”
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Dang! Better have a masseuse ready after this race.
— Ken Gentry (@kenpgentry) June 15, 2023
“That is way to smooth for Chicago and your missing a lot of armor plating to stop the bullets.”
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It seems that the road to Chicago may not be the easiest one. But it will be interesting to see how the cars fare as they, for the first time, venture out on street tracks. Will it be as fruitful as the other tracks, or will it major disaster that fans are prophesying?
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