Chicago Street Race president gives uncertain update about 2026 NASCAR date

Is there going to be another NASCAR Chicago Street Race in 2026? Julie Giese, president of the event, says the focus is on the present. This season marks the third year of the Chicago Street Race, which has received mixed reviews from fans and Chicago residents.

In year three, I think NASCAR just wants the Chicago Street Race to be dry. Let’s not see any rain come through this July 4th weekend. When the Xfinity Series raced on a sunny, dry course, it made for one of the most visually stunning and intense races of the season.

If only the Cup Series could get the same treatment. As the race enters year three this season, there is an option to extend the event. Will that happen?

CBS Chicago asked Julie Giese about the future of the race. She gave a lukewarm answer. I think many proponents and naysayers to this race expect it to end after this season, but never say never.

“Again, right now, our focus is on this year’s event,” Giese said. “We have those option years. We’ll have those conversations.”

If you ask me, those aren’t very confident answers. Giese has done a great job in NASCAR, both with Chicago and other events. Should the race return, it’s in good hands. After showing that it can be done in Chicago, I think the sport is ready to take the street course idea to another destination.

Could Chicago Street Race concept be taken elsewhere?

It will be interesting to see which cities are interested in hosting NASCAR after the Chicago Street Race is over. There are always complaints about delays and setup time with major events like this. So, you run into trouble with local government and the community in that sense.

However, NASCAR has shown, weather-permitting, what it can do. It can bring you an entire music and street festival along with some of the best racing in the world and drop it into your city. Somewhere, there is a city dying to host an event like this and make it work with NASCAR.

There is a loud and vocal minority against these street races. I know it exists; they can’t help themselves any time this race is brought up. But you can’t deny the ratings the race brings in, the excitement for new and potentially new fans, and the racing has actually been pretty good, too.

If this is the last year of the Chicago Street Race, let it be sunny and beautiful all weekend long. We don’t need any more rain at this event, regardless of how many more years it has.