Why critics say Lightfoot’s NASCAR deal is a wreck

Race cars zooming through downtown Chicago next July will undoubtedly make Grant Park look like a scene from the next installment of the Fast and Furious franchise.

Except in this movie, “the fast” refers to the speed at which the city agreed to host a NASCAR street racing weekend and “the furious” are Chicago City Council members who say the entire deal lacks transparency or sound economic sense.

Controversy surrounding next July’s race weekend — a first for NASCAR and for Chicago — started in the summer. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced she had signed a three-year deal that, in July of next year, will turn the streets around Grant Park, the Museum Campus and even Michigan Avenue into a 2.2-mile racecourse.

Interviews with City Council members, experts and a WBEZ analysis of the contract show minimal financial benefit to the city and few specifics about who pays for related costs, such as security and clean up. Questions about who’s left with the tab and whether Lightfoot overreached with the hasty deal could become a flashpoint in the mayoral race.

In an emailed response to questions, Lightfoot’s office said the most tangible benefits of the weekend NASCAR event will be in the “positive impact” to area businesses from thousands of race fans. The race was likened to “premier events,” such as Lollapalooza and NBA All-Star weekends.

A spokesperson for the mayor cited a report commissioned by NASCAR that promises $100 million in related tourism and construction revenues to Chicago, which includes people hired to set up the event as well as money spent by attendees — on shopping, hotels, restaurants, transportation and entertainment.

Repeated interview requests were denied.

Council members, on the other hand, said the deal lacked transparency from the start.

“I’m all for economic development, but the issue I have with it is lack of communication and transparency around how this project came to fruition,” said Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), whose ward stretches west along Fullerton Avenue. Villegas said the mayor’s office has refused to meet with Council members, give them the contract or even provide an “in-depth briefing” on the race.

Details likely were kept scarce to help NASCAR “navigate the politics of it,” said FOX Sports NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, by…