Ryan: NASCAR deserves a second lap in Chicago but with some minor tune-ups

Sweet Home Chicago? A large swath of the stock car community certainly thinks so.

The NASCAR industry and much of its fan base need little convincing that The Windy City has earned a spot on the 2024 schedule (and perhaps permanently).

Despite record monsoons washing out the festival atmosphere in Grant Park last Sunday, the chorus of Cup drivers clamoring for a second edition was virtually unanimous.

“One thousand percent yes,” Justin Haley, the runner-up to debut winner Shane van Gisbergen
, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in a Thursday morning interview. “Just being there, it was next level entertainment. Obviously, the weather wasn’t great. Besides that, it was just an awesome event. I can’t say enough about what NASCAR did. They thought of everything. Everything was mapped out for the drivers. The logistics were so well done.

“A few things could be better, but for a first try, I don’t know what you could complain about. I’d love to do it again if I finish last or first. Just the experience of saying I did that is something really cool.”

The most-watched NASCAR on NBC race in six years
drew a massive 9.3 local rating (first in U.S. markets
), indicating that Chicago was intrigued, too.

NASCAR has two more years left on its contract with the city, but the deal was brokered with the previous administration.

Mayor Brandon Johnson (who took office May 15) said he is reviewing the race weekend
and soliciting input from constituents (some of whom were inconvenienced
) before deciding its future. An exit clause allows Chicago to terminate the deal with six months’ notice
and without financial penalty.

The hope here certainly is that NASCAR would be granted another year – if for no other reason than to be given a fair shake at hosting a weekend uninterrupted by the threat of biblical flash floods.

No street race goes off without a hitch. Temporary tracks erected on permanent city streets are always fluid affairs with access points, fan amenities and midway layouts that can vary annually (if not daily).

As the first street race in the NASCAR Cup Series’ 75-year history, Chicago came off remarkably well for an inaugural event (aside from the uncontrollable weather that caused three of four concerts to be canceled). And as with any street race, it also produced typical observations and suggestions for potential improvements.

Here are a few while we keep our fingers crossed for next year to be confirmed:

Cars! Cars Cars!

The most striking thing about how well-received NASCAR was in Chicago?

This was a street race lacking the omnipresent sounds and smells that are a centerpiece of any successful counterpart.

Once the spectator gates open in Long Beach and St. Petersburg, the gaps are short between cars constantly pounding the pavement and filling the air with roaring engines and spent fuel.

With IndyCar as the headliner for both, this year’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg…