NASCAR is back in Chicago.
For a second straight year, the city will transform the Grant Park environs into a racetrack for Saturday’s The Loop 110 (Xfinity Series) and Sunday’s Grant Park 165 (Cup Series). The televised event on NBC-5 will have NASCAR drivers weaving through the park on closed-off streets lined with temporary fences, grandstands and what promoters hope will be thousands of fans.
Last year the event was marked by torrential rainfall and Canadian wildfire haze. Despite curtailed races, canceled concerts and a drenched crowd that fell short of targets, the event was a TV ratings hit and by most accounts a boost to Chicago’s image and tourism efforts.
“The weather was definitely a challenge,” Julie Giese, president of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race, said. “I think the key takeaway on that, though, is that we were able to get the event in. We were able to do it very successfully, in spite of record rainfall, and we did learn a lot.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the race — including the course map, road closures and how to watch (or avoid) it all.
What happened last year?
A race that began in rain ended in the final rays of a sunset.New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, took the victory in his first Cup Series start, becoming the first driver to do so since Johnny Rutherford in 1963.
The day began with uncertainty. Rain delated the Sunday race 1 hour, 30 minutes after the resumption of Saturday’s Xfinity Series race was canceled and Cole Custer declared the winner. The Cup Series race was shortened from 100 to 75 laps because of looming darkness.
Plenty of cars hit the tire barriers, but the race had none of the spectacular multicar collisions often seen in NASCAR races on oval tracks. One slow-motion pileup near the end looked like a typical Chicago street accident.
Chase Elliott said the race would’ve been a “home run”if not for the rain.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Shane Van Gisbergen of the #91 car wins the Chicago Street Race in his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Fans cheer along Columbus Drive during the NASCAR Cup Series in Chicago on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Driver Shane van Gisbergen celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series on Columbus Drive in Grant Park in Chicago on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Drivers race down Congress Plaza Drive during the NASCAR Cup Series in Grant Park on July 2, 2023.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Fans along South Michigan Avenue try to catch a glimpse of the action after they tear down a tarp blocking the view as the NASCAR Cup Series race gets underway on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Crew members for driver Erik Jones wait out the rain in pit road while the NASCAR Cup Series is delayed at Grant Park on July 2, 2023.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Fans along South Michigan Avenue try to catch a glimpse of the action as the NASCAR Cup Series race gets underway on July 2, 2023
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Cars compete during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Grant Park on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson walks through pit road on Columbus Drive while the NASCAR Cup Series is delayed due to rain in Grant Park on July 2, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Fans watch the start of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago after heavy rain had delayed the race.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Fans along South Michigan Avenue try to catch a glimpse of the action as the NASCAR Cup Series race gets underway on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Brandon, right, and Reagan Eggers wait underneath the Paddock Club bridge along Columbus Drive while the NASCAR Cup Series is delayed due to rain in Grant Park on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Driver Bubba Wallace greets fans near pit road along Columbus Drive while the NASCAR Cup Series is delayed due to rain on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Josh Bilicki's No. 78 car, right, and other cars race on Congress Plaza during Stage 1 of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
#91 Shane Van Gisbergen celebrates victory in his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
#91 Shane Van Gisbergen celebrates victory in his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
#91 Shane Van Gisbergen celebrates victory in his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Fans cheer along Columbus Drive as the NASCAR Cup Series begins after being delayed due to rain in Chicago on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Ryan Blaney's No. 12 car negotiates a turn onto Michigan Avenue during Stage 1 of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Daniel Suárez is introduced near pit road along Columbus Drive before the NASCAR Cup Series on July 2, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Fans watch Stage 1 of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago. Heavy rain delayed the race.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Crew members clear the water from pit road after the NASCAR Cup Series was delayed due to rain in Chicago on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
People walk along a flooded pit road on Columbus Drive while the NASCAR Cup Series is delayed due to rain in Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Rain falls on pit road before the NASCAR Cup Series race at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Fans and staff put up with constant rain on the day of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Grant Park on July 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Fans along South Michigan Avenue walk in the rain as a few people find their seats in the grandstand before the NASCAR Cup Series race gets underway on July 2, 2023, in Grant Park.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
People find shelter from the rain in a CTA "L" staircase on Wabash Avenue in the Loop on July 2, 2023, before the gates open for NASCAR street race events in Grant Park.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Fans along South Michigan Avenue try to catch a glimpse of the action as the NASCAR Cup Series race gets underway July 2, 2023, in Grant Park.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Race fans protected by trash bags walk along a rainy Ida B. Wells Drive after the NASCAR Xfinity Series race was called due to rain in Grant Park in Chicago on July 2, 2023.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Fans Jennifer Smith, from left, Ryan Deiotte, Sarah Hylton and Peggy Malave, of Valparaiso, Indiana, wait out the rain delay by tailgating in a Loop parking garage on July 2, 2023, before NASCAR street race events in Grant Park.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Crew members move cars and equipment out of the pit road on Columbus Drive after Cole Custer was declared the winner of the NASCAR Xfinity Series due to weather in Grant Park on July 2, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
People wait underneath the Paddock Club on Ida B. Wells Drive as the NASCAR Xfinity Series is delayed due to rain in Grant Park in Chicago on July 2, 2023.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Samantha, 11, and Scott Trybula, of Evergreen Park, head out from the Congress Plaza Hotel to the racecourse during a rain delay on July 2, 2023, before NASCAR street race events in Grant Park.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Cars are covered as the NASCAR Xfinity Series is delayed due to rain in Grant Park in Chicago on July 2, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Firefighter Corey Mehlebacher looks over race cars as they wait for the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the rain on July 2, 2023.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
NASCAR fans walk along rainy Michigan Avenue on July 2, 2023, before scheduled street race events in Grant Park.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Sieg's car sits in the rain on July 2, 2023, after the gates open for planned street race events in Grant Park.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
NASCAR fans arrive in rain ponchos after gates opened on July 2, 2023, for planned street race events in Grant Park.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
An umbrella collapses along rainy Michigan Avenue on July 2, 2023, ahead of scheduled NASCAR street race events in Grant Park.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
A family shelters along rainy Michigan Avenue on July 2, 2023, before NASCAR street race events in Grant Park.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
NASCAR fans walk along rainy Michigan Avenue on July 2, 2023, before street race events in Grant Park.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
People find shelter from the rain in a CTA "L" staircase on Wabash Avenue in the Loop on July 2, 2023, near NASCAR street race events in Grant Park.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
People wait to cross a pedestrian bridge over Columbus Drive because of a lightning delay during the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
The DGM Racing crew pushes Josh Williams back toward the racecourse after working on his car during the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Driver Brennan Poole, right, races down Congress Plaza Drive during the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Driver Kyle Busch, of Richard Childress Racing, signs a shirt for Collins Overturf, right, along Columbus Drive in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Piper Traer, 10, and her brother Oliver Traer, 7, watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
Peter Tsai/Chicago Tribune
The No. 14 car of Chase Briscoe is worked on in preparation for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 1, 2023. Removed is the muffler used to reduce noise in the city.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Weston Lovejoy, a DGM Racing tire changer for driver Josh Williams, waits out a lightning delay during the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
The AM Racing pit crew members wait out a lightning delay during the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Drivers Joey Gace, left, and Joe Graf Jr. race down Congress Plaza Drive during the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
People wait to cross a pedestrian bridge over Columbus Drive because of a lightning delay during the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Grant Park in Chicago on July 1, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Fans cheer during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race on July 1, 2023, in Chicago.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Driver Parker Chase enters his car for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race on July 1, 2023, in Chicago.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Fans watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race on July 1, 2023, in Chicago.
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune
Dean Sanderson, from left, his father, Richard Sanderson, and son, Steven Sanderson, watch cars race on July 1, 2023, to qualify for the Nascar Cup Series.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Two people on South Michigan Avenue climb a pole to view the NASCAR Cup Series Race practice on July 1, 2023, in Chicago.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Attendees stand on a trailer roof to watch the NASCAR Cup Series Race practice on July 1, 2023, in Chicago.
Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune
Brooklyn Perez walks through Grant Park with her mother during day one of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 1, 2023.
Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune
A person wearing hearing protection watches the race during day one of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 1, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Brian Ross and his daughter Kaylee Ross eat lunch on the East Ida B. Wells Drive Bridge during the NASCAR Cup Series Race practice on July 1, 2023, in Chicago.
Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune
A stage and ferris wheel in Grant Park during day one of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 1, 2023.
Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune
People walk through Grant Park during day one of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 1, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Race cars maneuver north on East Congress Plaza Drive during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race practice on July 1, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Crews check their cars before the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race practice on Saturday, July 1, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Race cars move north on East Congress Plaza Drive during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race practice on July 1, 2023, in Chicago.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
A police sergeant uses ear protection during her patrol of Butler Field during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race events, July 1, 2023.
Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune
David Bowles and McKenna Bowles get set for the Chicago Street Race with their daughter Geannine from outside the racecourse, July 1, 2023.
Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune
A race fan poses inside a race car cutout during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race activities on July 1, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Logos are painted on the ground at the start/finish line in the 500 block of South Columbus Drive for NASCAR Chicago Street Race events on June 30, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Crew members finish working under the hood of a NASCAR Cup Series car in the garage area on June 30, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
A pit crew member jogs past fuel cans for a NASCAR Cup Series car in the garage area for Sunday's race on June 30, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
A crew pushes a Ryan Preece NASCAR Cup Series car through the garage area for Sunday's race Friday, June 30, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Crew members work inside wheel wells for a Kyle Larson NASCAR Cup Series car in the garage area, June 30, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Driver Chandler Smith's car is pushed for inspection at Lake Shore Drive as preparations ahead of NASCAR street races in Chicago, June 30, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
A man works on a catch fence along Michigan Avenue ahead of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, June 30, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Race car tires are prepared as preparations continue ahead of NASCAR street races in Grant Park, June 30, 2023.
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Oliver Ballentine, a Formula 1 racing fan, shows his daughters, Zuri, age 3, and Maxxwell, age 6, a race car at Bubba's Block Party at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, June 28, 2023.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
A decorated Ford Mustang NASCAR-sponsored car drives in the 52nd annual Chicago Pride Parade on June 25, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago Tribune
A worker resurfaces Columbus Drive in Grant Park in advance of the summer NASCAR race on May 3, 2023.
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The four-hour broadcast on NBCaveraged nearly 4.8 million viewers, making it the network’s most-watched Cup Series race in six years.
Soldier Field hosted a NASCAR Cup Series race in July 1956. And a quarter-century later, an ambitious plan by then-Mayor Jane Byrne to hold a Formula One race on Lake Shore Drive in summer 1981 never made it to the starting line.
What do I need to know this year?
![2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (81) 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (81)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CTC-L-nascar-street-race-07.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Two-day tickets start at $269 for general admission and run through $3,360 for the Founders Club on the first floor of The Skyline, formerly the Paddock Club, a premium hospitality experience overlooking pit road and the start/finish line at Buckingham Fountain.
This year, NASCAR is also selling single-day general admission tickets at $150, with children 12 and under admitted free on Saturday and for $45 on Sunday.
What other events are happening around the race?
A two-day Family Fest will take place from 2-9 p.m. July 2-3 at Navy Pier.
Keith Urban, the Chainsmokers, the Black Keys and Lauren Alaina will headline the concert lineup for the weekend. Chicago Blues legend Buddy Guy also will be performing. Here’s the full schedule of events.
What’s the route?
It’s the same configuration as last year’s race but with a few changes.
The Grant Park 165, taking place at 3:30 p.m. July 7, is 75 laps around the course — 25 fewer laps than last year’s street race. The Loop 110 will be 50 laps on July 6.
Organizers adjusted the race lengths to allow for maximum daylight and TV broadcast time.
What’s the timeline for road closures before and after the race?
Well,from now until July 18. Closures began June 10.
Downtown commutes will be snarled by road closures around Grant Park. Making matters worse is the ongoing construction on the Kennedy Expressway.
CTA, too, will be affected by the road closures. Multiple bus lines will be rerouted downtown through early July.
But CTA and Metra are expected to add service for the event. Metra will run extra trains on Saturday and Sunday on the Rock Island, Union Pacific North and Union Pacific West lines. Alcohol will be banned on all Metra trains for the weekend, and if trains are crowded, bikes could also be banned.
Prerace activity in Grant Park
![2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (82) 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (82)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CTC-L-NASCAR-street-closures13_195211030.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
June 10: Ida B. Wells Drive closed from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive starting at 12:01 a.m. to allow for construction of the main viewing areas; and limited parking restrictions were put in place along southbound Columbus Drive between Jackson and Balbo drives
June 19-20: Temporary road closure from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. on northbound Michigan Avenue from Congress Circle to Jackson Drive to allow for a pedestrian walkway to be installed while viewing structures are assembled
June 26 – Beginning at 8 p.m.: Northbound traffic lane closure on Congress Circle
June 27 – Beginning at 7 p.m.: Curb lane closure of Columbus Drive between Jackson Drive and Roosevelt Road
Street closures near Grant Park begin Monday for NASCAR Chicago Street Race
Significant street closures
June 27 – Beginning at 7 p.m.: Closure of Jackson Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive
June 28 – Beginning at 8 a.m.: Closure of Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive (intersection will remain open)
June 28 – Beginning at 7 p.m.: Full closure of Balbo Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive
June 29 – Beginning at 7 p.m.: Southbound lane closure on Columbus Drive from Balbo Drive to Roosevelt Road
July 1 – Beginning at 1 a.m.: Closure of Columbus Drive between Jackson Drive and Roosevelt Road. Closure of Jackson Drive between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive
July 1 – Beginning at 9 p.m.: Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Randolph Street and McFetridge Road. Reopening at 6 a.m. on July 2
July 2 – Beginning at 6 a.m.: Closure of Congress Circle and entrances at Michigan Avenue, Van Buren Street and Harrison Street
July 4 – Beginning at 9 p.m.: Closure of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Road between Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Closure of northbound Michigan Avenue between Roosevelt Road and Jackson Drive
July 5 – Beginning at 12:01 a.m.: Closure of northbound and southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Randolph Street and McFetridge Road. Closure of southbound Michigan Avenue between Roosevelt Road and Jackson Drive. Closure of the northbound lane of Indiana Avenue at 13th Street. Closure on Monroe Street between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive
![2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (83) 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (83)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ctc-l-nascar-07-02-48_181153757.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Race weekend street closures – July 6-7
Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Randolph Street to McFetridge Drive
Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive from McFetridge Drive to Randolph Street
Northbound Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Jackson Drive
Southbound Michigan Avenue from Jackson Drive to 8th Street
Monroe Street from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Monroe Street
Roosevelt Road from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Avenue
Jackson Drive from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Balbo Drive from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Ida B. Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive
Congress Circle from Harrison Street to Van Buren Street
Northbound Indiana Avenue from Roosevelt Road to 13th Street
Post Place: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Drive
Garvey Court: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Drive
Reopening schedule: The northbound section of DuSable Lake Shore Drive is set to reopen at 6 a.m. July 8. After the event, select streets will gradually reopen
Priority streets: The priority streets for reopening are DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive. Other street closures will remain in place until the demobilization of the track wall, fence and viewing structures is completed. All NASCAR-related demobilization activities are expected to conclude by the end of the day on July 18
![2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (84) 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (84)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ctc-l-nascar-07-02-25_176286551.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Streets with local access only for residents, businesses and their employees
Sidewalks will remain open throughout the setup and teardown (June 10–July 18).
Southbound Michigan Avenue from Monroe Street to Jackson Drive
Southbound Michigan Avenue from 8th to Roosevelt Road
8th Street from Wabash Avenue to Michigan Avenue
9th Street from Wabash Avenue to Michigan Avenue
11th Street from Wabash Avenue to Michigan Avenue
Balbo Drive from Wabash Avenue to Michigan Avenue
Harrison Street from Wabash Avenue to Michigan Avenue
Ida B. Wells from Wabash Avenue to Michigan Avenue
Jackson Blvd. from Wabash Avenue to Michigan Avenue
Van Buren Street from Wabash Avenue to Michigan Avenue
Monroe Street from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive
Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Randolph Street to Monroe Street
Northbound Michigan Avenue from 13th to 16th Street
Northbound Indiana Avenue from 14th to 16th Street
Columbus Underpass and the Chicago Lakefront Bicycle Path will remain open throughout the event (this includes Monroe Street and Roosevelt Road)
Pedestrians traveling west must utilize and access sidewalk on the north side of Monroe Street, Roosevelt Road or Columbus Drive underpass only
Alternative routes available — streets may be closed by the city of Chicago if deemed necessary
DuSable Lake Shore Drive northbound will remain open from South Shore Drive to I-55 merger
To visit the Museum Campus from the south: Exit DuSable Lake Shore Drive at 31st Street and utilize Fort Dearborn Drive to proceed north and access 18th Drive
To visit the Museum Campus from the north: Access Stevenson Expressway (I-55N), and merge onto DuSable Lake Shore Drive exit at 18th Street
DuSable Lake Shore Drive southbound will remain open from Hollywood Boulevard to Randolph Street
Inner DuSable Lake Shore Drive will remain open in both directions
Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions
Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions. Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) will remain open in both directions
Stevenson Expressway (I-55) will remain open in both directions
In the Loop, the following streets will remain open: State Street, Dearborn Street, Clark Street, LaSalle Street, Wells Street, Franklin Street, Upper Wacker Drive, Lower Wacker Drive, Randolph Street, Washington Street, Madison Street, Roosevelt Road – West of Michigan Avenue, 18th Street
Can I still go to Museum Campus during all of this?
![2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (85) 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 2.2-mile course around the city (85)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ctc-l-shedd-aquarium29_176293543.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Yes. Maggie Daley Park, Cancer Survivor’s Garden, Buckingham Fountain, Butler Field, Lower Hutchinson Field and the Museum Campus will remain open and accessible throughout the event. The Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and other attractions could adjust hours due to the race, so please check their websites.
To access the museums, drivers must reach either DuSable Lake Shore Drive south of downtown or arrive via I-55. From DuSable Lake Shore Drive, they can exit the northbound lanes at 31st Street, then take Fort Dearborn Drive along the lakefront to 18th Street. Those heading to the museums from I-55 can take DuSable Lake Shore Drive north and exit at 18th Street.
What about Taste of Chicago? Is it the same weekend?
For the second consecutive summer, Taste of Chicago has been moved to September to accommodate the race.
The Taste, a summer tradition established in 1980 and typically held in early July, welcomes tens of thousands of visitors to Grant Park for food, beverages, live music, dancing, karaoke and kids activities. It will be held Sept. 6-8.
Chicago summer food festivals: Chow down at these 34 events, from Taste of Chicago to Vegandale
OK, I’m going. Where can I park and what’s the schedule?
Parking starts at $40 in the Millennium Park Garage (6 S. Columbus Drive) and $50 for the Grant Park North Garage (25 N. Michigan Ave.). You can find more details here.
Taking Uber or Lyft to the festival? Then drop-off and pickup are west of State Street from Randolph Street south to Roosevelt Road.
Gates for all things NASCAR open at 8:45 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. Here’s the full event schedule.
Saturday, July 6
- 9-11 a.m.:NASCAR Xfinity Series practice and qualifying
- 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: House Music 40 showcase on the main stage
- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.:NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying
- 1:15-2 p.m.: Buddy Guy performs
- 12-12:30 p.m.:Prerace concert featuring the JC Brooks Band
- 2 p.m.: Driver introductions for Xfinity Series
- 2:30 p.m.:The Loop 110 NASCAR Xfinity Series race (50 laps)
- 5-6:30 p.m.: The Black Keys perform
- 8 p.m.: The Chainsmokers perform
Sunday, July 7
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lauren Alaina performs
- 1-2:30 p.m.: Keith Urban performs
- 2:55 p.m.: Driver introductions for NASCAR Cup Series
- 3:30 p.m.: Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Series race (75 laps)
As with most events, attendees are limited to one clear bag no larger than 12-by-12-by-6 or a small clutch or fanny pack that are 6-by-6 with one pocket. Backpacks and bags with multiple pockets are prohibited.More details here.
Who are the drivers to watch?
Shane van Gisbergen: The full-time Xfinity Series driver will defend his Chicago title in one of the eight Cup Series races in which he’s competing this season. In 2023 he became the first New Zealander to win a race in the Cup Series. Van Gisbergen, 35, was a three-time winner (2016, 2021 and 2022) of the Supercars Championship, a circuit in Australia and New Zealand.
Kyle Larson: He entered the Ally 400 on Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway in first place in the Cup Series. Larson, 31, has three first-place and nine top-10 finishes in 17 starts this season. He took fourth in Chicago in 2023.
Chase Elliott: The Georgia native, 28, finished third in this race last year, and seven of his 19 career Cup Series wins have come on road courses. He entered the weekend in second place in the Cup standings — although tied with Larson with 620 points, Larson holds the tiebreaker with three wins compared with Elloitt’s one in 18 races this season.