After a one-year hiatus, NASCAR appears ready to bring its street race back to Chicago in 2027, with sources telling the Chicago Tribune that the racing organization and city officials are close to reaching a new agreement.

The return would come with a key change: instead of the July 4th weekend, the race would likely piggyback on the Sueños music festival around Memorial Day, potentially sharing some of the festival’s infrastructure to reduce setup time and community disruption. NASCAR Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese met over the weekend with the head of the Grant Park Advisory Council, confirming the two sides were nearing a deal.

What Changed During the Pause

Chicago hosted the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series from 2023 to 2025, transforming Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive into a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course. But the races drew complaints from aldermen and community groups about prolonged park closures, and critics said the city didn’t get a large enough cut of the profits to cover costs for road work, police and emergency services.

NASCAR hit pause on a 2026 race, opting instead for a street race in San Diego and a return to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. But the organization kept its Chicago office running, saying the lapse was designed to give the city and NASCAR time to “develop a plan that further optimizes operational efficiencies.”

Following the Money

Under the original agreement struck by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, NASCAR paid the Chicago Park District a permit fee that rose from $500,000 in 2023 to $605,000 in 2025, plus a $2 per ticket fee and a commission on food, beverage and merchandise. In 2024, those add-ons generated just over $220,000. NASCAR also agreed to pay an extra $2 million that year to help cover city expenses, allowing Chicago to post a slight profit.

Some aldermen, including Brian Hopkins, have pushed for the city to receive a cut of NASCAR’s broadcast advertising revenue, or at least a base payment closer to the $10 million Lollapalooza pays annually. NASCAR supporters counter with the bigger picture: the 2025 race generated an estimated $128 million in total economic impact, roughly 53,000 visitors and $43.6 million in media value for the city.

Ald. Bill Conway said in a statement that NASCAR has been a “collaborative partner in addressing community concerns,” and expressed hope the new deal will be “better for Chicago, both logistically and financially.” Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office confirmed that “conversations are ongoing regarding a potential return of the NASCAR Street Race in 2027.”

For Chicago’s business community, the question isn’t whether NASCAR returns — it’s whether the city can negotiate terms that make the race worth the disruption. A Memorial Day weekend slot could ease some of the community friction, but the financial details remain the real test.

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