What To Look Forward to During Sunday's 2023 NASCAR Grant Park

Unlike their previous location in Joliet, which was about an hour south of the downtown skyway, NASCAR has decided to bring the thrill of racing to the bustling city streets. While the upcoming race has sparked eager anticipation among many, there are also critics voicing concerns about the noise and the temporary street closures near the beloved Grant Park, a popular summer destination. Even local government officials have expressed reservations about NASCAR's presence.

As a consequence, speculation has arisen regarding whether this racing endeavor is merely a one-year experiment. Despite being the first installment of a multi-year agreement, there is a possibility that the new city mayor may opt to pay the penalty to terminate the contract prematurely, leaving NASCAR's presence in Chicago as a fleeting memory.

Could street racing be the emerging trend in the world of racing? Frankly, I'm astonished that NASCAR has taken 75 years to venture into this territory. I firmly believe that we will witness more of these events in the future of the sport. Formula 1 holds multiple city street races annually, while INDYCAR has recently organized five such races annually. So, why not NASCAR?

Street racing is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States. Two out of three Formula 1 visits to America take place on city streets, and INDYCAR also hosts five of its 17 races in urban environments. Consider the choice of destinations for these races. Formula 1 has Miami and Las Vegas, while INDYCAR embraces cities like St. Petersburg, Long Beach, Detroit, and Nashville and even ventures north of the border to Toronto.

NASCAR had yet to adopt this model, but now they have embraced it. While the quality of racing in street events may leave something to be desired, the appeal of this type of event extends beyond the expectations of new fans. The intricacies of racing that we, as seasoned enthusiasts, appreciate might not matter as much to these new followers. They are unfamiliar with the sport, and street races provide an opportunity to captivate them in their own element rather than relying solely on their curiosity to draw them to us.

Over the years, attendance at Chicagoland Speedway has dwindled, with a mere 50,000 fans in the stands considered a generous estimate. By hosting races in downtown areas, NASCAR has the potential to double that number effortlessly. People who would never have considered visiting Joliet will now venture downtown, lured by the excitement and the chance to experience something different in a bustling atmosphere. The hope is that they will be enthralled by what they witness and the unique ambiance surrounding the event, prompting them to return for future races and explore NASCAR further.

In a span of four years, we find ourselves with a new track on a prominent date for the third time. In 2020, it was Indianapolis that took the spotlight, followed by Road America in both 2021 and 2022. It's Chicago's moment to shine during the Fourth of July weekend. The big question lingers: Will this date continue to change hands, or is there an overlooked perfect spot?

From 1959 to 2019, this weekend was synonymous with Daytona Beach for six decades. It felt peculiar when we shifted to Indianapolis in 2020 and even more so when it unfolded behind closed doors. Road America drew decent attendance but lacked the same allure when viewed from the comfort of home.

Will Chicago establish itself as a permanent fixture, or are we poised to witness a fifth different venue in six years? Moreover, should Daytona reclaim its former position on the schedule, or is it better off elsewhere? I understand the reasoning behind its current placement. NASCAR aims to conclude the regular season on a track where any driver in the field can emerge victorious. It makes sense to maintain focus on the playoff contenders throughout, building excitement. Undoubtedly, this weekend brims with anticipation surrounding the race.

Nevertheless, I have never been fond of Daytona's summer race being slotted in this position. It just doesn't feel right. So, what alternatives do we have? The Daytona 500 will forever remain a February spectacle, as it rightfully should. NASCAR won't budge on keeping Talladega in the playoffs, and that's for the best. With each track hosting two events annually, the question arises: How do we arrange them on the calendar? Talladega's first race must be sufficiently distanced from its fall counterpart to prevent NASCAR from concluding the regular season there. That leaves a vacant spot to fill this race weekend.

However, now that Atlanta has transformed into a drafting track, does it present an opportunity to replace Daytona in this slot and allow Daytona to return to the Fourth of July weekend? Selfishly, the most ideal scenario would be for the '400 to always be held on the Fourth of July weekend. It just feels right. It always has. This current race on this particular weekend feels somewhat awkward and out of place.

I understand the reasoning behind it, and it does have its merits. But there's something off about it. I strongly believe that moving the '400 back to its traditional date would reignite interest and attendance. So why not find an alternative to replace Daytona on this date and chart a course to return Daytona to its rightful spot?

The Fourth of July holds significant importance in the racing calendar, and Road America didn't deliver the ratings that Daytona could achieve. Atlanta's summer race isn't garnering favorable results either, suffering from scorching temperatures and lackluster attendance and ratings. Can it find success as a Sunday night race this year?

Shifting Atlanta to a night race for the regular season finale would be ideal, as it provides a more controlled environment compared to Daytona's unpredictable nature. Drivers may prefer that balance instead of what Daytona currently offers. Many have questioned the fairness of having a Speedway race determine the final playoff spot. While I understand the intention of creating an equal opportunity for everyone, isn't Atlanta the most level playing field for both sides?

It offers the thrill of a Speedway race while allowing for some differentiation. We witnessed Spire Racing contending for a win alongside championship contenders reaching victory lane. In the July race, we saw a mix of Trackhouse, Petty Ware, Spire, and Kaulig cars in the top 10. It seems like a perfect fit to move Atlanta to the regular season finale and reinstate Daytona in July. This realignment would give a boost to both Daytona and Atlanta, ultimately benefiting television ratings in the process.

The upcoming event in Chicago has sparked discussions about its unpredictability. However, recent trends have demonstrated that overthinking may not be necessary. When it comes to first-time races or returning to a track after a significant absence (like North Wilkesboro), the sports' leading teams tend to shine. Looking back at the last ten inaugural races since 2018, Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske have dominated, clinching nine out of the ten victories.

Let's not overlook other notable instances, such as Elliott's triumph at the Daytona ROVAL in 2020, during a championship-winning season. Furthermore, Larson secured wins at Nashville, COTA, and Road America, while both Larson and Elliott made it to the Championship 4, with Larson ultimately claiming the title in 2020. Moving forward to 2022, Logano's victories in the Clash at the Coliseum and Gateway, accompanied by his championship win, further solidify this pattern.

Hence, I suspect that the winner of this weekend's race in Chicago will likely emerge as a strong contender for the championship.