Last updated: Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 22:17 GMT
Live newscasts, breaking news, weather and original local programming.
CHICAGO (WLS) — The 2024 NASCAR Chicago street race will be held in and around Grant Park on July 6-7. In addition to two featured races, the event includes a family-friendly festival with live music, including performances by The Black Keys, The Chainsmokers and Keith Urban.
Extensive street closures and detours have been implemented as the city builds the winding racetrack, and fans are flocking to the city over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Chicago, start your engines…
July 3, 2024, 20:30 GMT
July 3, 2024, 22:16 GMT
Heading downtown? Visiting Chicago? Prepare for major street closures in Grant Park, including parts of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, Roosevelt Road, Columbus Circle, Ida B. Wells and more.
It’s best to take public transport or avoid the area altogether if you don’t need to be in the centre, but if you do, there are alternative routes available.
ABC7 Traffic Anchor Diane Pathieu has all the details.
Major roads will be closed in and around Grant Park this weekend due to the NASCAR street race in Chicago.
July 3, 2024, 16:25 GMT
It’s day two of the NASCAR Family Fest at Navy Pier before this weekend’s big race.
The streets of downtown are being transformed into a 2.2-mile loop for the second year in a row.
This year’s pre-race thrills include photo shoots with the cars, a live competition between top racing professionals and a simulation of this weekend’s race circuit.
High-octane family fun that increases the excitement of fans both young and old.
July 3, 2024, 2:01 am GMT
Several streets have already been closed as the July 4 holiday approaches. The city began closing streets to build the NASCAR street racing circuit in late June.
Beginning Wednesday morning, major downtown streets including Jackson Drive, Balbo Drive, DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Congress Circle and Michigan Avenue will be partially or fully closed while the field is being built.
Work will be paused until Thursday evening at 9pm.
See the full list of street closures already in effect and in preparation ahead of the weekend
July 3, 2024, 2:02 am GMT
ABC7 took a tour of the NASCAR street racing circuit on Tuesday as massive concrete barriers appeared to mark the track and steel grandstands began to come together.
More than 100 children were able to play pit crew members and learn about NASCAR at a Boys & Girls Club event, and then received free tickets to the race. It will be the first NASCAR event for many.
Navy Pier’s NASCAR Family Festival also kicked off Tuesday night, a two-day celebration of all things racing.
NASCAR street racing circuit takes over downtown Chicago as race day approaches