Excitement is brewing! Downtown Chicago welcomes back the NASCAR Chicago Street Race for its second year, July 6 and 7, 2024! This year’s extravaganza features two races, concerts and entertainment throughout the weekend after the Fourth of July.
Its return, however, comes with extensive street closures, parking restrictions, re-routing and other disruptions to downtown Chicago. City officials are encouraging drivers to take alternate routs, walk, bike, or take public or private transportation to reach downtown.
Don’t fret! The most important thing is to be well-informed, prepared and make a plan for route alterations. The start and finish line, and pit road, will be located along South Columbus drive, in front of Buckingham Fountain.
Street closures and parking restrictions, pre-race
Grant Park:
- Monday, June 10: Ida B. Wells Dr. closed from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr. starting at 12:01 a.m. to allow for construction of the main viewing areas; and limited parking restrictions were put in place along southbound Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Balbo Dr.
- Wednesday, June 19 to Thursday, June 20: Temporary road closures from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on northbound Michigan Ave. from Congress Circle to Jackson Dr. to allow for a pedestrian walkway to be installed while viewing structures are being assembled.
- Wednesday, June 26 – Beginning at 8 p.m.:
- Northbound traffic lane closure on Congress Circle.
- Thursday, June 27 – Beginning at 7 p.m.:
- Curb lane closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd.
Significant street closures:
- Thursday, June 27 – Beginning at 7 p.m.
- Closure of Jackson Dr. between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr.
- Friday, June 28 – Beginning at 8 a.m.
- Closure of Balbo Dr. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. (intersection will remain open).
- Friday, June 28 – Beginning at 7 p.m.
- Full closure of Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.
- Saturday, June 29 – Beginning at 7 p.m.
- Southbound lane closure on Columbus Dr. from Balbo Dr. to Roosevelt Rd.
- Monday, July 1 – Beginning at 1 a.m.
- Closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd.
- Closure of Jackson Dr. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
- Monday, July 1 – Beginning at 9 p.m.
- Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Randolph St. and McFetridge Rd.
- Reopening at 6 a.m. on July 2.
- Tuesday, July 2 – Beginning at 6 a.m.
- Closure of Congress Circle and entrances at Michigan Ave., Van Buren St. and Harrison St.
- Thursday, July 4 – Beginning at 9 p.m.
- Closure of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Rd. between Michigan Ave. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
- Closure of northbound Michigan Ave. between Roosevelt Rd. and Jackson Dr.
- Friday, July 5 – Beginning at 12:01 a.m.
- Closure of northbound and southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Randolph St. and McFetridge Rd.
- Closure of southbound Michigan Ave. between Roosevelt Rd. and Jackson Dr.
- Closure of the northbound lane of Indiana Ave. at 13th St.
- Closure on Monroe St. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
Summary of street and route closures – Race Weekend
Saturday, July 6 and Sunday July 7
- Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from Randolph St. to McFetridge Dr.
- Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from McFetridge Dr. to Randolph St.
- Northbound Michigan Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to Jackson Dr.
- Southbound Michigan Ave. from Jackson Dr. to 8th St.
- Monroe St. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
- Columbus Dr. from Roosevelt Rd. to Monroe St.
- Roosevelt Rd. from DuSable Lake Shore Dr. to Michigan Ave.
- Jackson Dr. from Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
- Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
- Ida B. Wells Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.
- Congress Circle from Harrison St. to Van Buren St.
- Northbound Indiana Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to 13th St.
- Post Place: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Dr.
- Garvey Ct.: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Dr.
After the races…
Monday, July 8: Select streets will begin reopening following the conclusion of the event. All street closures are expected to remain in effect as demobilization of the track wall, fence, and viewing structures takes place.
NOTE: The priority streets to reopen are DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Michigan Ave., and Columbus Dr. Other street closures will remain in effect as demobilization of the track wall, fence, and viewing structures takes place.
Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will begin reopening Monday, July 8 at 6 a.m., with all NASCAR-related demobilization activity expected to conclude by end of day July 18.
For much more information and tickets, visit nascarchicago.com.
Book a reservation with Fellowship Fleet Limousine and Bus Company and detour from the driving and parking hassles as you get ready to enjoy this year’s NASCAR Street Races, or for any other transportation needs throughout the summer and beyond. Book your reservation HERE, now!