The Chicago street race was taken off the 2026 NASCAR calendar after the stock car association and the Park District failed to come to an agreement regarding the extension. However, as per the reports, the Chicago street race is set to return for 2027.
The Chicago street race first appeared on the calendar in 2023, with a temporary circuit setup in downtown. Initially, a three-year contract was signed that saw the race on the calendar until the 2025 season, with an option to extend for the 2026 and the 2027 season.
However, the extension for 2026 didn’t go through, with a fixed permit fee not being decided upon. Amid the rumors of NASCAR being in talks with Park District over a 2027 return, Chicago Tribune’s latest report claimed that sources suggest a return of the street race for the coming year.
“After a one-year hiatus, NASCAR will return to the streets of Chicago next year, sources told the Tribune,” read the report
Another report by Block Club Chicago claimed that Leslie Recht, president of the Grant Park Advisory Council, confirmed that Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese met with the group over the weekend to discuss the race’s return.
However, as per the reports, the race for 2027 will not take place on the 4th of July weekend, like the previous years. Instead, a race after the Sueños Music Festival, which was held in May this year, is being suggested.
“NASCAR has been a collaborative partner in addressing community concerns, including the drawbacks of scheduling the race on July 4th weekend. As conversations continue about the future, I’m hopeful that the City and NASCAR will work together on a deal that’s better for Chicago, both logistically and financially,” said Downtown Ald. Bill Conway.
When NASCAR was asked for comments on the same, they declined to confirm that an announcement about the Chicago street race was coming.
NASCAR’s permit fee situation with Park District over Chicago street race
For the inaugural Chicago street race, NASCAR paid Park District a permit fee of $500,000 and 15% of net commissions on concessions and merchandise, plus $2 per admission ticket. For 2024, the permit fee was raised to $550,000 plus an increase to 20% of net commissions on concessions and merchandise.
Last year, NASCAR paid $605,000 as a permit fee, with another increase in net sales from concessions and merchandise to 25%. For a possible return in 2026 or 2027, the previous contract didn’t mention a fixed permit fee. The number is something that the Park District and NASCAR have to mutually agree to.
The permit fee, dates, and economic impact are possibly the areas of discussion happening between the two parties before an official announcement is made.
