NASCAR releases special line of hats commemorating Chicago Street Race

This weekend, NASCAR will take to the streets of Chicago for the Chicago Street Race. Drivers are making their way to the Lakefront for the event, and preparations are well underway.

That includes gear fans can purchase for the race. A local business worked with NASCAR and New Era to create some special hats to commemorate the event.

Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal tweeted the hats for the race created by NASCAR, New Era and Clark Street Sports. They’re available for purchase online or in the store.

.@NASCAR worked with Chicago sports apparel retailer @ClarkStSports and @NewEraCap to release a special @NASCARChicago line of hats online and in-store. pic.twitter.com/eoc4iNnnHg

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 27, 2023

The NASCAR Chicago street race is coming up this weekend through Downtown Chicago. It gets underway with the Xfinity Series race, which will be 55 laps and called “The Loop 121” to recognize the area of downtown Chicago the race will be run. Then, the Cup Series race has been titled the “Grant Park 220,” named for the iconic public park downtown. That race will be 100 laps and 220 miles around downtown.

The opening festivities include a block party hosted by Bubba Wallace and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. “Bubba’s Block Party” will take place at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. The event will feature a performance from Chicago-based rapper Lupe Fiasco, racing-themed entertainment and local food from Black-owned businesses.

AJ Allmendinger: NASCAR Chicago Street Race is ‘going to be some good racing’

The track will be unique considering the twists and turns of downtown Chicago. It will take drivers on quite the 2.2-mile journey, starting on Columbus Dr. before turning onto E. Balbo Dr. and onto DuSable Lake Shore Dr. From there, drivers turn back onto Columbus and Balbo before going to E. Congress Plaza, S. Michigan Ave. and E. Jackson Dr. before returning to Columbus. Pit road will also be on Columbus.

It’s an interesting design, and AJ Allmendinger talked about that earlier this month. He expects an exciting weekend in the Windy City.

“So just the way it’s laid out, just kind of the broad scheme of things of looking at it, it does feel like there’s passing opportunities and going to be some good racing,” Allmendinger said, via NASCAR.com.

NASCAR Chicago will take place July 1-2 and the weekend concert list features an impressive list of performers, as well. The Chainsmokers, Miranda Lambert, The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett will all be on hand, NASCAR announced in January. It’s shaping up to be a jam-packed weekend.