Report: NASCAR will not host Chicago Street Race for 2026

NASCAR will not host the Chicago Street Race in 2026. The city and the sanctioning body are exploring options for the future. The last three seasons, including this year, NASCAR has raced the Cup and Xfinity Series on the streets of the Windy City.

The Chicago Street Race was a first-of-its-kind event for NASCAR. A report from the Chicago Tribune notes that the event will not return in 2026. However, there are plans for the race to pop up again in 2027.

A different date away from the Fourth of July is a necessity. The two sides also want to explore ways to make the building and breaking down of the course more efficient.

NASCAR released a statement on the decision to move away from the Chicago Street Race in 2026. There is a stated goal of returning for the 2027 season.

“Thank you for all that you have done to make the NASCAR Chicago Street Race one of the most iconic events in global sports. 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 to develop a plan that further optimizes operational efficiencies, with 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, and for that, we are immensely grateful. Thank you for the continued support – and we look forward to seeing you at the races.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office also released a statement. It appears that the two sides are interested in continuing this relationship. With another year of planning, maybe it can be bigger and better than ever?

“We appreciate NASCAR’s dedication to the City of Chicago and their commitment to continuing their community engagement efforts, particularly their support of STEM education for our city’s young people,” a mayor’s office spokesperson said in a statement, via the Chicago Tribune. “We look forward to resuming discussions around a potential return of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in 2027.”

Given the initial response from the city and local residents, businesses, and politicians, it is amazing the race lasted three years. Now, we’re talking about the city, residents, businesses, and politicians looking forward for a 2027 date.

Each year, this race has gotten smoother. This season, it was even a dry weekend. Leaving for a year should be a nice break. NASCAR is going to go racing in San Diego in the meantime. Does this possibly open the door for Chicagoland to return? It would take a few million dollars to do it, however, it isn’t a massive ask from NASCAR.