NASCAR Will Not Race in Downtown Chicago Next Year Logan Riely – Getty Images
Over the past three seasons, NASCAR’s annual 4th of July weekend race on the streets of Chicago has gone from a bold experiment to a successful proof-of-concept for stock car racing in the streets of any given city in America. It will not continue into 2026.
In a statement shared to social media on Friday evening, organizers say that the race “will hit pause in 2026” in order to “explore a new potential date” and “further [optimize] operational efficiencies.” This, the statement claims, is being done with the goal of resuming the race in 2027.
NASCAR saw impressive racing over three years on a surprisingly wide temporary street circuit in the heart of Grant Park in downtown Chicago. Each weekend included two races, one Xfinity Series event and one Cup Series race. Shane van Gisbergen, who entered five of the six events ever held, won four. The only other winners in track history are 2024 Cup Series winner Alex Bowman and 2023 Xfinity Series winner Cole Custer.
The Chicago street circuit requires significant logistical commitment from the city, which offers up public streets around Grant Park as a track during the event. Since the race lasts a full weekend and road closures start the Monday before the race, any date the series chooses will significantly impact part of the city for a full week. That means a delay was a likely outcome if either NASCAR or the city felt that a 2026 Fourth of July weekend date was untenable.
While Chicago will not be on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series or Xfinity Series schedules, a rumored date in San Diego could serve as a spiritual successor to the event. Specific details of that proposal are expected to be announced as soon as next week.
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