On July 7, during the rain-drenched Grant Park 165, a pivotal racing incident set the tone for what could be NASCAR’s Chicago race. Defending champ Shane van Gisbergen led when Chase Briscoe’s No. 14 Ford slid out of Turn 6 on a slick restart around Lap 25, slamming into van Gisbergen’s No. 16 Chevy. The crash sent the Kiwi’s car into the wall, ending his shot at a repeat win and handing Alex Bowman the victory and a playoff berth. Fans watched in awe as the downtown course’s tight, treacherous layout proved unforgiving yet again.

With whispers that this might be NASCAR’s last Chicago outing due to logistical challenges and mixed reception, the moment felt like a dramatic farewell to the city’s racing chapter. But Chicago’s streets are set for one more musical hurrah. A three-time Grammy winner is slated to honor the city with a performance tied to its racing legacy.

The Zac Brown Band is set to headline the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race, and fans are already excited. The multi-Grammy-winning Southern rock band will perform on Saturday, July 5, right after the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. This concert is part of the new Busch Light Summer Music Series, a partnership between NASCAR and Busch Light to mix country music with racing. It’ll happen on a new stage by the Start/Finish line in Chicago’s Grant Park, making it a big night in the heart of the city.

Tickets are available at NASCARChicago.com/ticket-options and are cheaper this year. Single-day Grounds Pass starts at $99, down 33% from last year, and reserved seats like Frontstretch Premier Grandstands are $350, cut nearly 50%. Kids 12 and under get in free with an adult ticket. All race tickets include the concert, so even Sunday-only ticket holders can see Zac Brown Band on Saturday. VIP options include a Concert Viewing add-on for stage access and a “V.V.I.P. Experience” with pit passes, track laps, and a photo with the Grant Park 165 winner.

After 2023’s rain-canceled shows by The Chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert, 2024’s concerts fought through the weather, with Keith Urban and Lauren Alaina delivering on Sunday, to make up for the lost fan experience and drive the business the race generates. Just for context, last year’s Chicago race made $128 million for the city, showing how big this event is. This time, there are big things planned. Add to that the Chicago weekend falling on the 4th of July weekend and the expectations soar to the sky. It won’t just be another race for fans, it will be a celebration for Americans tuning in! And the Zac Brown Band knows that.

Zac Brown Band’s frontman, Zac Brown, called it “NASCAR’s biggest party of the summer,” promising a wild weekend of racing and entertainment. The band’s got a huge following, with over 30 million singles sold and 16 #1 hits like “Chicken Fried.” NASCAR Chicago President Julie Giese said, “Zac’s music is the soundtrack to summer, so we can’t think of a better band to headline on Independence Day Weekend.”

This isn’t just a Chicago thing, the Busch Light Summer Music Series will bring five concerts to NASCAR tracks nationwide. Besides Chicago on July 5, there’s Texas Motor Speedway (May 2-4), Michigan International Speedway (June 7-8), Iowa Speedway (August 2-3), and World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis (September 6-7). Zac Brown Band is the first big act announced, setting the tone for a summer of music and racing.

Bubba Wallace shares unexpected thoughts on NASCAR’s new races

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace recently opened up about his feelings on two big race announcements the Chicago Street Race and the upcoming Mexico City event. In an interview on the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast, Wallace surprised fans with his honest reactions. When NASCAR announced the Chicago Street Race a couple of years ago, Wallace wasn’t a fan. “I was like, ‘Oh shoot,’” he said, even hoping it might flop.

But after racing there, his mind changed. The 23XI Racing driver now calls it “a good time,” enjoying the vibe and even hosting block parties in the Windy City.  As for Mexico City, set to host NASCAR’s first international Cup Series points race on June 15, Wallace isn’t jumping with excitement. “It was like, ‘Okay, cool,’” he said. He sees it as “just another season,” though he called the race “unique.”

His teammate Chase Elliott, however, thinks it could open doors for NASCAR to grow globally, which Wallace agrees might be a bigger deal down the road. Wallace has been working hard on road courses like Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen, improving his skills over the years. With the 2025 season underway, he placed 29th at Daytona and 9th at Atlanta with him focused on racing and not the hype.

His laid-back take on Mexico City contrasts with NASCAR’s push to expand, But his Chicago turnaround proves he’s open to change when it clicks. Fans are eager to see how he’ll do in these new challenges.