Kristin Tabinski, the widow of an audio engineer who was electrocuted to death while setting up last year’s inaugural Chicago Street Race, has sued NASCAR, the Chicago Park District, and private contractors. The lawsuit filed by Duane Tabinski’s wife states that the stakeholders of the race failed to supervise the safety protocols in setting up the event, which was affected by record rainfall.

The lawsuit seeks more than $50,000 in damages and is reported to be filed in Cook County Circuit Court in March. Along with NASCAR, the four equipment and production companies sued are United Rentals, Four Leafs Productions, Malko Communications Services, and Tyler Scenic. None of them have commented on the ongoing trials, as per a report by the Chicago Sun Times.

Complainants argue that there has been a lack of thorough investigation

Tabinksi’s attorney, Kevin Durkin, from Clifford Law Group, stated that aside from the OSHA investigation that was abruptly closed, “There has been no definitive investigation done”. Durkin further said, “My client came into contact with a high energy wire that was uninsulated and unprotected. And we know that the only thing he would deal with as a sound guy was a low-voltage wire … This is a NASCAR event and they’re in charge, ultimately. The buck stops there”.

In response, the two private companies, Malko Communication, which supplied HVAC equipment and generators, along with Tyler Scenic, urged for the case to be dismissed. In their defense, they argued that they had no control over the conditions that led to Tabinski’s death and that the negligence was on his part. “Negligence and carelessly failed to exercise reasonable care for his own safety,” the response by United Rentals read.

According to a report by the Department of Labor, the 53-year-old audio-visual specialist was electrocuted while installing the equipment for the event. His death was then labeled as an accident after coming into contact with the electrical wires. The investigation was into Tabinski’s company, and the DOL said that they generally decline to cite the company if the owner is the person who died or was self-employed.

Meanwhile, there has been no response to the incident by NASCAR, who is focused on getting its mega-weekend event up and running.

More uncertainty looms over the future of Chicago street races

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There was an initial pushback by the local Chicago residents following the return of NASCAR to the Windy City. But there’s an agreement between NASCAR and the city to run the races until 2025, although that could be under threat following the death of Duane Tabinski and the lawsuit. It is hard to tell what the outcome of the situation will be and whether NASCAR will be held accountable for Tabinski’s death.

The NASCAR race is a huge success story for the sport, which is on the lookout for a new urban market. Last year’s race, which was affected by the torrential rain, handed a $109 million boost, according to Temple University’s Sports Industry Research Center. There are monetary gains for both NASCAR and the City of Chicago, and that is why they are expected to return with a new edition. The 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Course weekend is about to kick off today with the Xfinity Series race along with the Cup Series qualifying session at Chicago Grant Park.