Mayor mum on NASCAR’s future in Chicago

Usa today news

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Mayor Brandon Johnson dodged direct questions along pit row Sunday afternoon about whether the NASCAR Chicago Street Race returns for another lap next year, while Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) said Chicago needs a deal that benefits both parties.

When asked if he or his administration would be meeting with NASCAR to discuss a future extension, Johnson deflected to talk about the weather, a topic of concern for many race attendees this weekend.

“Right now, we’re just going to talk with God and make sure we keep the clouds back. That’s the most important conversation right now,” Johnson said. “When I get done praying, and the weather holds up, then we’ll have a conversation afterward.”

Regarding the race itself, Johnson said he was rooting for the team co-owned by Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, and for British driver Katherine Legge, who is making her Chicago debut.

“Well, Team Jordan is here, No. 45, local Chicago. You always gotta root for local,” he said. “But I’m really excited about, for the first time, a woman qualifying for this moment. That’s a big deal for sports and for this particular race. So, of course, I’ll be rooting for the woman. You always gotta root for the woman.”

Reilly said discussions about NASCAR’s future in the city are in the works.

“Obviously, we know that there’s a two-year extension that needs to be discussed,” Reilly said. “The administration’s going to sit down with NASCAR in the coming weeks to try to work that out.”

Reilly emphasized that city officials will be watching any upcoming negotiations closely.

“I think local aldermen that represent portions of wards that surround the race want to make sure that it remains a good deal for Chicago taxpayers and that NASCAR continues to uphold its high standards for protecting quality of life and those concerns,” he said. “We’ll see, but certainly it’s become a popular event in Chicago. Hopefully, we can work out beneficial terms that work for NASCAR and for the city of Chicago.”

When asked his own thoughts about the weekend, Reilly kept it simple: “Praying for sun today.”

Shane Van Gisbergen does a victory burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Shane Van Gisbergen pumps his fists while standing on top of his car after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Shane Van Gisbergen kicks a signed rugby ball into the crowd after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Shane Van Gisbergen crosses the finish line during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Fans watch the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Fans cheer as drivers race on Michigan Avenue during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Drivers make their way down Columbus Drive during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Timothy Hiatt/For the Sun-Times

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Crew members stand for the National Anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Crew members huddle before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Fans watch as drivers race at the starting line during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Alex Bowman makes his way towards turn 2 during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Zane Smith makes his way through turn 1 during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Drivers race in the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Crews work after an accident on Michigan Avenue during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Crews work after an accident on Michigan Avenue during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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A yellow flag is raised after a crash during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Crews work after a crash during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Fans watch as drivers make their way to turn 1 during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Crews work after an accident on Michigan Avenue during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Pit crews for Kyle Larson work on his vehicle during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Drivers make their way through turn 1 during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Shane Van Gisbergen, followed by AJ Allmendinger, make their way through turn 12 during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Deborah Cosey Lane holds a helmet as NASCAR driver Austin Hill signs it on Sunday.

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Katherine Legge walks to pit road before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson walks to pit road before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Christopher Bell (20) gets in his car before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Fans watch as drivers race at the starting line during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Noah Gragson rides a scooter before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Drivers race during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday.

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Timothy Hiatt/For the Sun-Times

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Shane Van Gisbergen stands atop his car and celebrates after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 on Saturday.

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Shane Van Gisbergen carries the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 trophy after winning it on Saturday.

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Shane Van Gisbergen does his victory burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 on Saturday.

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Fans watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 race on Saturday.

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Brennan Poole and Harrison Burton race through turn 12 during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 on Saturday.

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Fans watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 race on Saturday.

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Fans watch as NASCAR drivers race near turn 9 during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 on Saturday.

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Fans watch as NASCAR drivers take turn 9 during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 on Saturday.

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Pit crews with Jeb Burton work on his car during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 on Saturday.

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Shane Van Gisbergen gathers with his crew before the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 race on Saturday.

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Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Austin Hill prays with his family before the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 race on Columbus Drive on Saturday.

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Jeremy Clements races during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 on Saturday.

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Hundreds of fans watch as the Zac Brown Band performs after the NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 on Saturday.

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