NASCAR Will Not Return to Chicago Street Course in 2026
NASCAR announced today that the Chicago Street Course will not return to the calendar in 2026, putting the event "on pause" for a year while officials work with the city to refine scheduling and operational planning. The three-year deal that brought NASCAR to Grant Park, featuring a 2.2‑mile, 12‑turn street circuit, wrapped its run after showcasing the first modern street races in Cup history. Beyond racing, the event generated an estimated $128 million in economic impact in 2024 and supported STEM programs, local youth, and Chicago nonprofits. Still, local officials raised concerns about Fourth of July weekend closures, noisy streets, and displacement of free public events, such as Taste of Chicago. NASCAR and city leaders say their goal is to return to Chicago in 2027 with a refreshed date and more efficient logistical approach.
Meanwhile, attention is turning to Southern California, where NASCAR is reportedly finalizing a deal for a 2026 street‑course event in the San Diego region. Reports from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic suggest an official announcement could come “as soon as next week,” with Coronado mentioned as a potential secondary option. This move would mark NASCAR’s first Cup points race in Southern California since the closure of the two‑mile Auto Club Speedway in Fontana after 2023. Fans and insiders note that adding San Diego aligns with NASCAR’s west-coast expansion goals, though exact calendar placement and venue will remain undecided. If confirmed, the San Diego street race may join Mexico City and Chicago as part of a growing trend toward diverse road and street course events in 2026.
The pause in Chicago and pivot toward San Diego has sparked mixed fan reaction online. Users on Reddit lamented the loss of the downtown Chicago backdrop, calling it “the coolest NASCAR event I've ever been to,” but expressed uncertainty about whether San Diego can capture the same atmosphere. Some fan discussions flagged logistical concerns, noting that Coronado’s accessibility and traffic could pose challenges compared to an urban-core venue with public transit. Meanwhile, others point out that NASCAR’s three-year street race contracts, including Mexico City and Chicago, appear to be at a crossroads, with scheduling and cost becoming key deciding factors. With the NASCAR schedule capped at 38 events, any addition, such as San Diego, will require a trade‑off elsewhere, adding further intrigue.
City officials are also weighing their options amid community responses and economic implications. In Chicago, aldermen, including Brian Hopkins and Bill Conway, have questioned the disruption to park access and traditional Fourth of July festivities, underscoring the tension between local goodwill and event revenue. Similarly, San Diego’s bid for the race must balance fan enthusiasm with urban factors like downtown infrastructure, traffic, and resident impact. NASCAR, for its part, appears to be managing multiple negotiations simultaneously. The Chicago market might still be getting a race, with recent reports of Chicagoland Speedway returning in 2026, then San Diego’s emergence, and the possibility of added events in Mexico City. Final confirmation of the full 2026 schedule, including whether both street races and how many road-course events appear, is expected by late summer or early fall.
Ultimately, NASCAR’s push into street-course racing reflects a broad strategic shift. The success of the Chicago Street Race, including historic moments like Shane van Gisbergen’s Cup debut win, helped validate the format and fan interest. As the sanctioning body moves from the Windy City to the West Coast, it must balance innovation with practical constraints. Whether San Diego can replicate Chicago’s blend of spectacle, urban vibrancy, and economic boost will be a key test in 2026. Meanwhile, Chicago remains in NASCAR’s long-term plans, with a hopeful return in 2027 after a necessary pause and recalibration.