Chicago Street Course

The Chicago Street Course stands as a groundbreaking 2.2-mile temporary racing circuit winding through the heart of Chicago's Grant Park. This urban track combines city streets with racing excitement, offering drivers and fans a unique experience against the backdrop of Chicago's iconic skyline and Lake Michigan. First hosting NASCAR events in July 2023, the circuit marked a historic moment as NASCAR's first Cup Series street race.

Track Layout and Technical Details

The 2.2-mile (3.541 km) circuit features 12 challenging turns on asphalt surfaces. The track incorporates several major Chicago thoroughfares including Columbus Drive, Balbo Drive, DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Roosevelt Road, and Michigan Avenue. Drivers start and finish on Columbus Drive in front of Buckingham Fountain. The course design includes a chicane and crosses bridges over the Metra Electric District tracks. On the straightaways, cars reach speeds exceeding 100 mph, creating exciting racing moments throughout the circuit.

Historical Development

The Chicago Street Course has a unique origin story. It began as a digital concept in iRacing, the popular racing simulation platform. NASCAR partnered with iRacing in fall 2020 to scan Chicago streets and create a virtual version of the track. This digital prototype appeared in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series before becoming reality. Though NASCAR had considered a Chicago street race as early as 1980, various obstacles delayed this vision until 2023. The course represents the 177th different track to host a NASCAR event in the organization's 75-year history.

Notable Features

The circuit passes several Chicago landmarks, giving it a distinct character. Racers and fans enjoy views of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, and the Lake Michigan waterfront. Strategic course elements include the restart zone located before Turn 12 and the "Choose V" at Turn 6's entry, where drivers select lanes during restarts. The layout maximizes spectator viewing opportunities with viewing areas positioned throughout the course, giving fans multiple perspectives of the racing action.

Racing Events and Achievements

The Chicago Street Course hosts two main NASCAR events: the Grant Park 165 (originally called Grant Park 220 in 2023) for the Cup Series and The Loop 110 for the Xfinity Series. The inaugural Cup Series race in 2023 produced a remarkable story when Shane van Gisbergen won in his first-ever NASCAR start. Alex Bowman claimed victory in the 2024 race. NASCAR's agreement with Chicago runs through 2025, establishing this urban circuit as a fixture on the racing calendar for the near future.

Historical Context

Before the creation of this street course, NASCAR's only previous event in downtown Chicago occurred at Soldier Field in 1956. The Chicago Street Course represents NASCAR's commitment to bringing racing to new urban environments and connecting with fans in major metropolitan centers. As a temporary circuit constructed specifically for race weekends, it showcases the technical achievement of transforming busy city streets into a professional-grade racing venue.