Chicago city leaders 'noncommittal' on moving future NASCAR event to different date

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “was tight-lipped” yesterday on the fate of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race after a “lackluster audience showing and criticism from some over the diversion of hundreds of police officers to Grant Park,” according to Alice Yin of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Speaking at a news conference yesterday, Johnson and Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling “were noncommittal” on moving the downtown NASCAR event to a different weekend. Johnson said, “Obviously, those were dates that we inherited. We will continue to assess how this particular weekend for NASCAR … best benefits the people of Chicago.” Yin wrote the mayor’s “growing embrace” of the race -- “complete with pulling up to it in a car-racing outfit -- signals his recent attempts to balance downtown business interests with his promise to help disenfranchised communities.” Snelling added "there were far fewer cops diverted from the neighborhoods to the event in and around Grant Park this July." Yin noted one unanswered question from yesterday is “if and when NASCAR will reimburse the city” $2M to cover costs for roadwork setup and public safety overtime. Last year, the city spent $3.5M to host the race and "got $620,000 in return." City Ald. Pat Dowell said that she “received few complaints from residents decrying the race this year." A survey she conducted after last year's race showed her constituents liked the event, but "wanted it to occur on another weekend," a change she is “considering pushing for” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/8).

BE LIKE LOLLAPALOOZA: In Chicago, Kaitlin Washburn wrote Chicago’s second NASCAR Street Race apparently "did nothing to change the opinions" of downtown residents who live near the Grant Park race track. South Loop Neighbors President & Grant Park Advisory Council VP Jim Wales said, “Just like last year, half are against it and half of them are for it.” But Washburn noted seeing the race firsthand “did soften the tone of one of the event’s most vocal City Council critics -- somewhat.” City Ald. Brian Hopkins said, “I do see the benefits, the tourism it brings and that NASCAR puts Chicago on the international stage, and frankly, we look pretty good. I know I’m always a critic of NASCAR but they have done the best possible job.” But Hopkins added that downtown residents “have the same complaints” they have had since the race was first proposed. Hopkins: “The problem we face is an unsolvable problem. There’s really no way to have this race and to satisfy the downtown residents losing access to Grant Park.” Washburn noted Hopkins “will continue to push for a more equitable deal with NASCAR.” If the race operator decides to extend the contract beyond 2025, Hopkins “would like for the racing group to pony up more funds.” Meanwhile, Hopkins wants the city to “commission a more independent and thorough economic study on NASCAR’s financial impact.” Hopkins: “If we use the Lollapalooza standard and look at the benefits versus the disruption, there is a dramatic difference between Lolla and NASCAR. ... We really drove a hard bargain during the most recent contract with Lollapalooza. … But we rolled over for NASCAR” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/8).