Despite the naysayers, NASCAR officials are expecting 100,000 people at this weekend's Chicago Street Race, which they say will infuse the city with $113 million in revenue.

Why it matters: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot signed a three-year deal with NASCAR, and officials expect 65% of this year's ticket holders to come from out of town, adding another event to an already busy July Fourth weekend.

• Michael Jacobson, CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, tells Axios that "while NASCAR is a big boost to bookings that weekend, we also have the USA Volleyball Girls National Championships at McCormick Place over the same days, which is also driving a lot of hotel reservations."

Catch up fast: The 2.2-mile course weaves through downtown, including along Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Preparations have created weeks of street closings.

• Chicago police leaders are considering canceling days off and offering voluntary overtime for the weekend.

Of note: NASCAR will not disclose how many tickets it has sold for the event.

What fans are saying: Budlong Woods resident Fred Weichmann got his ticket as a Christmas gift from his kids. The 67-year-old says it's high time that racing fans had a sporting event to celebrate in Chicago.

• "My taxes went to three stadiums that I never went to, which [city officials] were too stupid not to make a dome," Weichmann says.

He reminds critics that Chicago has a deep history with street racing.

• As a kid, Weichmann watched stock car racing with his dad at Soldier Field. "There was racing on the South Side, there was racing at O’Hare, there was racing in Santa Fe Speedway," Weichmann tells Axios.

Chevalier Jenkins from Roseland isn't a hardcore fan but tells Axios the ticket price, which includes two races and four concerts, is worth it.

• "Seeing fast cars race along [DuSable] Lake Shore Drive (legally) is gonna be amazing!"

💭 Justin's thought bubble: I'm with Chevalier and Fred and am excited about this race. It's like Mario Kart has come alive on Michigan Avenue. Now if Bubba Wallace can toss a turtle shell out of his car window while driving? Minds would be blown! 😆

Chicago is becoming a soft rock town.

What's happening: WLIT-FM (The Lite) not only has dominated the radio dial for the first quarter of the year, but it built on its lead in May, while the other top 5 radio stations dropped.

Biggest gain: The Lite, by far, rising half a percentage point.

• The only other top 10 stations to see increases were The Mix (WTMX-FM) and WGN-AM.

Biggest drop: WXRT-FM dropped from a 4.6 in April to a 4.1 in May.

• Yes, but: The modern rocker is still perched in the top 5.

Biggest surprise: Slowly but surely, WBMX-FM — the relatively young hip-hop station at 104.3 FM — is climbing up the rankings, just outside the top 10.

Of note: These ratings don't break down precisely when people are tuning in, nor specific listener demographics.

Disclosure: Justin has worked for a number of these stations.

Family and friends of Noah Enos, the 26-year-old man found dead in the Chicago River this month, say they're working with private investigators to find the cause of Enos' death. (Block Club)

⚖️ A judge ruled Friday that Urban Prep Academies can stay open while the school's lawsuit against CPS is active in Cook County Circuit Court. The Chicago Board of Education revoked Urban Prep's charter last fall. (WBEZ)

⚾ The Cubs and Cardinals split their two-game series in London. Bill Murray and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot were two fans who made the trip to see the Cubbies. (Fox Sports)

Every month, we introduce a new tournament to crown the best of Chicago.

This month: The best weekend getaways.

• Whether you are a Wisconsin, Michigan or Illinois family, you know the Chicago area offers the best summer vacations.

Methodology: We selected 16 top spots, although there are plenty more. We also decided to include some neighboring big cities. As always, this is interpretive — so use whatever metrics you choose to cast your vote.

Let the games begin! Vote here. The first round closes at 4pm.

📫 Reply to this email with which your favorite getaway that didn't make the list, and we'll feature the top choices later in the week.

✔ Check out our Local Job Board.

1. Residential Director at Northwestern University.
2. Agency Owner at American National.
3. Senior Director, Government Relations at Community Choice Financial.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

👋 Hi, Justin here!

This past week, there was a homecoming in Bridgeport.

What happened: The Duck Inn hosted a collaboration with Westmont's Kim's Uncle Pizza, run by the owners of the defunct Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream.

Context: Duck Inn brought the pizza creators back to share their amazing pies, which were started in their apartments during the pandemic.

The best bite: Sicilian slice. The crew whipped up some very tasty Italian Neapolitan pizzas, but their famous Sicilian slices steal the spotlight.

• The slices featured a crisp, firm dough and a delicious red sauce.
• I got the cured pepperoni and ricotta. They also had a mushroom and caramelized onion slice.

The bottom line: You can get their Chicago tavern-style pizza at the restaurant in Westmont, but the hope is that Duck Inn chef/owner Kevin Hickey gets the Bridgeport boys back for another pizza collaboration this summer.