NASCAR expected to bring back popular Chicago street race for 2027

NASCAR looks set to bring back a driver-favorite race for the 2027 season, after it was absent from the 2026 schedule.

The Chicago Street Course was met with some big questions when it became the NASCAR Cup Series' first ever street race back in 2023, but fast became a highlight of the calendar for a number of drivers.

The inaugural edition also brought the sport Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealander being brought over to race Trackhouse Racing's Project 91 entry and taking the win in his first ever NASCAR start.

Van Gisbergen was denied a chance to go back-to-back at the race in 2024, when Chase Briscoe lost control in wet conditions and gave him a helping hand into the barriers, but roared back last year to make it two out of three (as well as winning both O'Reilly Series races he entered at the tightly-walled track).

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Chicago street race to move off 4th July weekend

The race was conspicuously absent from the 2026 schedule when it was announced last year, replaced by another street course – a one-off race at Coronado Naval Base in San Diego to mark the US Navy's 250th birthday.

While it was easy to point at the unique nature of the Coronado race and expect Chicago's street race to be back for '27, the fact that a number of locals were unhappy with the disruption every summer (plus the return of the Chicagoland Speedway to the calendar this year) meant that the race's future remained uncertain.

However, The Athletic report that there is 'growing optimism' that a deal will be reached between NASCAR and the city to head back to Grant Park next summer, although it's unlikely to be back on the 4th of July weekend.

That movement on the schedule is likely down to a number of factors, not least prior complaints that the inherent busyness of the date meant that police were stretched.

NASCAR-appointed Chicago Street Race president Julie Giese said when the race was scratched from the schedule last summer: “Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, as we work together towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule, and additional tourism draws."

It looks like she'll get her wish.