NASCAR Chicago Street Race Unlikely for Grant Park in 2026, Potential Return in 2027; Initial 3-Year Contract Concludes

CHICAGO (WLS) — The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will not return in 2026, but it could come back in 2027, officials said.

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On Friday, NASCAR revealed that the Chicago Street Race will take a break next year as they explore potential ways to revive the event on the streets of downtown Chicago in the future.

The announcement was made on social media.

The NASCAR races for the last of a three-year contract with the city finished up over the Fourth of July.

READ MORE | With 3-year contract over, will NASCAR Street Race return to Chicago?

This announcement has left residents of Chicago and city leaders uncertain about whether the race will make its return to downtown. There is a possibility that negotiations could lead to rescheduling the event to a different weekend.

The setup and dismantling time for the NASCAR races was reduced this year when compared to the previous two events. The effect on Grant Park and the nearby area is a significant factor for some downtown officials in deciding whether they will support hosting the race again for the next two years.

Alderman Bill Conway of the 34th Ward shared the following statement:
“It’s disappointing that negotiators haven’t been able to move this event off the July 4th weekend-especially given how NASCAR has provided Chicago the opportunity to shine on the world stage. Over the past two years, NASCAR has made meaningful efforts to reduce disruptions for residents and businesses along the race route, streamline setup and takedown, and maintain open lines of communication with our community. I hope parties return to the table with a commitment to making this event work even better for Chicago, both logistically and financially.”