NASCAR street closures begin Monday in the Loop
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The 2023 NASCAR Street Race. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
The city starts closing streets around Grant Park today to set up for the NASCAR Street Race on July 6-7.
The big picture: Chicago's second NASCAR Street Race runs on a 2.2 mile, 12-turn track through the middle of downtown and also includes concerts in Grant Park.
Flashback: Last year, heavy rains made the inaugural event a mess — with flooded streets, canceled concerts, and commuters and residents annoyed by closures.
Yes, but: The city says it heard those concerns and has reduced the number of set up and breakdown days, from 25 to 19.
The latest: Beginning today, Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly Congress Parkway) will be closed from Michigan to Columbus, including sidewalks.
- Westbound between Congress Circle and Michigan Avenue will remain open, but eastbound between Michigan Avenue and Congress Circle will be closed.
What's next: Look for the next closures on June 19 when northbound Michigan Avenue between Congress Circle and Jackson will be closed to drivers.
- Check out the full list of street and sidewalk closures.