Chicago market remains ‘important’ for NASCAR, signalling more races in 2027

NASCAR returned to Chicagoland Speedway this past weekend, marking the first time a race took place in Joliet since 2019. After opening in 2001, the track was home to 19 races on the NASCAR circuit before ending it and moving to the Chicago Street Race.

But while the weather didn’t fully cooperate on Saturday, it was still an exciting few days in Joliet. And now, NASCAR needs to capitalize on it.

NASCAR revealed that they sold out of tickets ahead of Sunday’s race as the return was something race fans have been looking forward to for a while now. Outside of some parking issues, it ran smoothly there in Joliet. Now, the focus should be on bringing it back for another year, which is something they have hinted at already.

Will NASCAR have TWO Chicagoland races next year?

This year was the first time in four years that NASCAR did not run the Street Race in Chicago. Instead, they returned to Joliet for the Chicagoland Race. There’s a chance that Chicago could have two stops on next year’s circuit.

President Steve O’Donnell had some interesting words on the return to Chicago and the future of NASCAR there.

“Looking at a potential sellout on Sunday, which is fantastic, so that market remains very important to us, be it a street race or on the oval [in 2027],” O’Donnell told reporters over the weekend. 

There was a report earlier in June that suggested that the street race was coming back to Chicago in 2027. However, with the success of Joliet’s return, NASCAR should add both to the schedule, having a street race and an oval race. That not only benefits NASCAR but the fans in the area who have made both events successful over the years.

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