Okay. Let’s face it. NASCAR races carry a huge factor of risk with them. And adding more risk to it is definitely the not smart. However, what if it succeeds? Well, this possibility in the unknown is the basis for this recent NASCAR decision.
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Recently, NASCAR announced a new and exciting endeavor, the Street racing at Chicago! However, everyone in the NASCAR community is skeptical of this decision. Because what if it backfires? There’s a lot on the line.
If the NASCAR street race in Chicago turns out to be a failure on any level, critics will never have the end of it. And unfortunately, there is a high chance of it happening. Since stock cars are currently designed for oval racing and not for the streets.
But as bold as the attempt may be, the concerns surrounding the decision are fair enough. In a recent post shared by NASCAR announcing the Chicago Street race, fans posed their concerns over the decision.
Heading into Chicago itself would only provoke further shootings in the stands and lead to incalculable losses. NASCAR doesn't know what they're doing.
And the people who approved of this? They're making a big mistake.@DGodfatherMoody@IceTitan80@MRNRadio@NASCARonNBC— Joshua (The Bowtie) Boston (@JoshuapBoston1) November 9, 2022
They've been hosting the Lollapalooza music festival there — not to mention every other major league professional sport — for decades. Has the death toll been incalculable?
— Dave Moody (@DGodfatherMoody) November 9, 2022
More like y’all ready. Most absurd thing. Crime ridden place. Race tracks there in Joliet. Oh wait. They didn’t show up there either. 🏴🏴🏴
— DelusionalDriverReference (@DriverReference) November 9, 2022
I’m not opposed to a street race, but this layout looks like hammered ass tbh
— Dustin Babb (@BabbDustin) November 9, 2022
No thanks, this is going to be a fail, I believe
— Aaron (@NascarDoubleAA) November 10, 2022
I’m so layout expert but that layout looks TERRIBLE for a stock car. Going to be either a snooze fest or a dive bomb fest
— JaymoACP (@JaymoACP) November 10, 2022
This is gonna stink. Looks terrible for passing. So many other great tracks out there. Street courses are awful.
— Jason Wolfe 🐺 (@Zenwolfe74) November 10, 2022
Ready for a shit show hell u might as well add the Nashville street race hahaha
— Dusty Sircy (@dusty_sircy) November 10, 2022
I've gotten lots of emails from multiple tracks saying tickets are on sale. NASCAR is begging people to come to this lol.
— Willie Horton Jr (@WillieRoyH) November 9, 2022
However, some people are hopeful of this bold move by NASCAR. In fact, many believe that this might be a huge event for the sport.
NASCAR drivers concerned about the race
NASCAR’s Chicago street race is scheduled for July 2, 2023. Moreover, it is expected to cover a 2.2-mile track with around 12 turns alongside South Lake Shore Drive and other streets. And all of it makes the sport all the more exciting.
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Because prior to this, NASCAR had never participated in any street car races. A major reason for it is that street races are not usually considered to be entertaining. The narrow straightaway and the tight corners do not offer many passing zones. Explaining his views on it, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin said;
“It’s probably going to be definitely more about the event than the race… You put us on a street course, more likely we’re gonna have tight confines. It doesn’t need to be a great race, just a spectacle in general.”
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Moreover, explaining what NASCAR should work on before entering Chicago, Ryan Blaney said; “I think it’s great they’re wanting to do something different and go into a good market. The only concern I have is the circuit’s got to be wide enough to make it work — like, it can’t get blocked. (It’s) got to be wide enough to where you can actually race and if there’s a wreck, you’re not just piling into the traffic. That’s the biggest thing they have to think about.”