NASCAR announced Friday that the Chicago Street Race, which drew mixed reviews from drivers over a three-year stint as part of the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, will not return in 2026.
While speculation is rampant about what venue NASCAR will replace the Chicago Street Course with next season, an arguably even bigger question looms. That question is: “Will NASCAR return to the Windy City at some point in the future?”
Another big question also lingers. That question is why NASCAR isn’t competing on the streets of downtown Chicago for a fourth consecutive year.
A statement released on Friday by NASCAR and the event’s promoters shed some light. It did not, however, provide definitive answers.
Why Is The Chicago Street Course Falling Off The NASCAR Schedule?
Before going any further, here’s part of the official statement released Friday by NASCAR and promoters of the Chicago Street Race:
“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 optimizes operational efficiencies.”
“Operational efficiencies” could carry various meanings, of course. But it seems fairly safe to infer that not all local government officials loved their city hosting NASCAR. After all, doing so required that multiple streets in downtown Chicago be shut down for days on end to accommodate the NASCAR race weekend.
Rerouted traffic certainly created some challenges and led to some frustrations for people who use these streets for everyday travel. It also didn’t help that wet weather — and lots of it — plagued both the first and the second running of the Chicago Street Race.
As a result, many drivers openly admitted prior to the Chicago Street Race two weekends ago that they hoped the rain would stay away. Fortunately, it did. But its absence alone was not enough to keep Chicago on the NASCAR schedule for 2026.
“Thank you for your continued support,” the statement read, directly addressing NASCAR fans. “We look forward to seeing you at the races.”
— NASCAR Chicago Street Race (@NASCARChicago) July 18, 2025
Chicago Street Race May Not Be Gone From NASCAR Schedule Forever
While The Chicago Street Race is off the NASCAR tour for the time being, it may be back sooner rather than later.
How soon?
Well, apparently as early as two seasons from now. Not that such a relatively quick comeback is guaranteed.
Friday’s statement from NASCAR and Chicago Street Race promoters noted “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,” the statement continued. “And for that, we are immensely grateful.”
Road course racing extraordinaire Shane van Gisbergen, now a full-time Cup Series driver, captured two of the three Cup Series races held at the 12-turn, 2.2-mile course.
Two weekends ago, the Trackhouse Racing driver and native of New Zealand not only won the Cup race but swept the weekend by also finishing P1 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race a day earlier.
Van Gisbergen undoubtedly wishes the Chicago Street Race would remain in place for 2026 and far beyond.
That’s not going to happen, however. At least not next year. But will the race return in 2027? The picture will likely be a lot clearer by this time in 2026.
