NASCAR pauses Chicago Street Race

The annual Chicago Street Race has been put “on pause” and will not return to the NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2026.

NASCAR has announced it will take a break from the City of Chicago next year, but has kept the door open for a return in 2027.

The race, where Shane van Gisbergen announced himself to the NASCAR world by stunningly winning on debut and breaking ground by being the first held on public roads, has brought the championship to new areas since its arrival in 2023.

It has been held three times and has twice been won by van Gisbergen, who also won this year’s running, plus back-to-back Xfinity Series triumphs.

With the pinnacle of American stock car racing almost exclusively being held on ovals and the occasional road course, it was a unique event on the calendar. It attracted new crowds by bringing the sport closer to the people than ever.

But amid growing speculation of moving the street race to San Diego or not even having one at all, Grant Park will not welcome NASCAR back next year.

“Thank you for all that you have done to make the NASCAR Chicago Street Race one of the most iconic events in global sports,” the NASCAR statement reads.

“Following the success of the first three years, the Chicago Street Race will hit pause in 2026 to afford us the time necessary to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago to explore a new potential date and to develop a plan that further optimises operational efficiencies, with a goal to return to the streets of Chicago in 2027.

“Together we have built and grown an expanded community of fans that consists of longtime NASCAR enthusiasts and first-time racegoers from around the globe, and for that, we are immensly grateful.

“Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you at the races.”

Across three years, 2023, 2024, and 2025, the Chicago Street Race delivered everything NASCAR had hoped for. The inaugural event drew 50,000 fans trackside and over 4 million viewers on television. It also produced a Hollywood script, with van Gisbergen changing the course of his career by winning on debut in a rain-soaked thriller.

Economic benefits flowed freely too. The first year alone generated an estimated $109 million in economic impact. Hotels booked out. Restaurants boomed. NASCAR was winning hearts in the Windy City, but not City Hall.

This weekend NASCAR heads to Dover.

Image: HHP / Jim Fluharty

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