NASCAR says it will trim closures of Grant Park by nearly two weeks compared to last year for the July 5-6 Chicago Street Race.
Setup and tear-down will happen over 25 days, starting June 19, NASCAR and the city announced in a joint statement Monday.
That’s less than the 38 days needed last year, and a 42% reduction compared with the inaugural race in 2023, which required 43 days.
While the racecourse is unchanged, NASCAR said it will further minimize closures to the park and streets by adjusting its premium seating area east of Columbus Drive. NASCAR said it will move its loading areas to allow Ida B. Wells Drive to be open for 20 more days than it had previously.
Street closures have been reduced to 18 days this year, a full seven days less than the first race and one day more than last year, NASCAR said.
This is the third and last race weekend in NASCAR’s three-year deal with the city. The city and NASCAR have the option, if they both agree, to extend the contract for two more years of races.
More information can be found at nascarchicago.com/local-info/
Pre-race activity in Grant Park
- June 19, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Full closure of Balbo Drive from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. “No Parking” restrictions will be put in place along Columbus between Jackson Drive and Balbo.
- June 20, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Curb lane closure on Columbus between Jackson and Balbo
- June 23, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Full closure on Ida B. Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus, westbound between Congress Plaza Drive and Michigan will remain open and eastbound will be closed
- June 23, beginning at 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. June 24: Temporary closure of northbound Michigan between Congress Plaza Drive and Jackson
- June 25, beginning at 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Thursday, June 26: Temporary closure of northbound Columbus between Balbo and Jackson
Street Closures
- June 26, beginning at 10 p.m.: Closure of Jackson between Michigan and Columbus
- June 27, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Closure of Balbo from Columbus to Michigan
- June 28, beginning at 10 p.m.: Closure of Congress Plaza Drive
- June 30, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Closure of Columbus from Jackson to Roosevelt Road
- July 2, beginning at 10 p.m.: Closure of Roosevelt Road from Michigan and DuSable Lake Shore Drive
- July 3, beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Randolph Street and McFetridge Drive
- July 3, beginning at 10 p.m.: Closure of Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt to Jackson and northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Randolph and McFetridge Drive