Letter
Uploaded by
Ann DwyerLetter
Uploaded by
Ann DwyerJuly 18, 2026
The Honorable Brandon Johnson
Mayor, City of Chicago
121 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Dear Mayor Johnson,
On behalf of the entire NASCAR team, I want to express our sincere appreciation for the continued support
and partnership with the City of Chicago. Over the past three years, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race has
made history – transforming the city streets into a first-of-its-kind global sporting event and welcoming
hundreds of thousands of fans, visitors, and community members to experience both our sport and the City
of Chicago in a wholly unique way.
As we reflect on three successful years in Chicago, it is a priority for us to continue to be responsive to the
feedback we’ve heard from residents, downtown stakeholders, and your administration. With that, we’ve
made the decision to pause the Chicago Street Race in 2026 to afford us the time necessary to work
collaboratively with your office and other community leaders to explore a new potential race date and to
develop a plan that further optimizes operational efficiencies on the course build and breakdown while
continuing our presence in the local community. Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027
with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, as we work together
towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule, and additional tourism draws.
We are extremely proud of what we have achieved together. During its first two years alone, the Chicago
Street Race generated more than $236 million in economic impact, including support for hundreds of local
jobs across the hospitality, tourism and construction industries. NASCAR fans from all 50 states and more
than three dozen countries around the globe booked travel, stayed in hotels, and dined in local restaurants
– driving community investment and economic opportunity for Chicagoans. In addition, the race delivered
significant media value. The 2023 and 2024 broadcasts on NBC reached millions across the globe, resulting
in an estimated $67 million in international media value for Chicago.
Our Chicago Street Race team will remain working and supporting NASCAR from our downtown Chicago
office. We are Chicago residents, so we expect to continue our community engagement efforts with
Chicago’s youth and local business community through organizations like Chicago Public Schools, Chicago
Park District, Boys & Girls Clubs, After School Matters, local hospitals, and others.
We deeply value our relationship with the City of Chicago and remain steadfast in our commitment to being
a good neighbor and partner. With the collaboration of your administration, the Chicago Sports Commission,
Choose Chicago, the State of Illinois, and every city department involved, we’ve brought a major
international sporting event to life in Chicago that not only energized downtown but also showcased the
greatness of the city to a global audience.
We look forward to continuing our dialogue with your office and with city leaders as we plan for the future.
Thank you again for your partnership and for helping us make sports and entertainment history in downtown
Chicago.
With appreciation,
Julie Giese
President, NASCAR Chicago Street Race
