Despite Biblical rain and a long list of logistical challenges, NASCAR’s 2023 Chicago Street Race was labeled a success in most circles.
The Cup Series is scheduled to return to the streets of the Windy City in 2024.
The hubbub around the Chicago race, an event which many criticized as virtually impossible to stage after its announcement, and the relative success of the weekend have led NASCAR to look into other big-city race possibilities. Street races are obviously a publicity-generating phenomenon for NASCAR, and, despite the expenses involved in “building” a road course within a major city, the cost to build new speedways is imposing. Additionally, there’s the idea of taking the racing directly to the people.
While trying to ignore many of the logistical problems associated with such ideas (and the issues involved with scheduling street races near permanent speedways), let’s take a semi-serious look at 10 cities we’d love to see host a NASCAR race:
New York City
Of course. Imagine racing past the Empire State building, the Chrysler building, the 9-11 Memorial, through Times Square and along the East River. NASCAR long has coveted the nation’s media capital and, in fact, has put its race cars on Gotham streets when the city hosted the end-of-season awards banquet.
A NASCAR race on the streets of Atlanta could raise the speed limit on Peachtree Street.
Atlanta
Part of the race could be held on the I-285 perimeter road that circles the city. “Races” are held on this multi-lane, fast-speed roadway every day of the week anyway (although most of the drivers don’t quite have NASCAR-level talent).
IndyCar returned to the streets of Detroit in 2023.
Detroit
The Motor City. A natural for such an event. The IndyCar Series makes it work.
Las Vegas
Thank you to Formula One for providing the framework and foundation and proving that racing so close to the neon jungle can work. Let’s start before midnight, though, OK?
New Orleans
Race across Lake Pontchartrain, along Bourbon Street and within reach of the Superdome. Let the good times roll.
A NASCAR race across the Golden Gate Bridge? That, we’d watch.
San Francisco
NASCAR race cars on the Golden Gate Bridge? Imagine the photo opportunities.
Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas. A chance to race in two states at once? A win.
Orlando
Orlando, Florida. Mickey Mouse will flag the finish at the entrance to Disney World.
Few things are more American than NASCAR and the historic buildings in Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. Let the statues of Presidents Lincoln, Washington and Roosevelt in on the fun. But, please, no crashing into the Washington monument.
Seattle
The Pacific Northwest hungers for a Cup race. Of course, it rains there, but it also rained in Chicago. Race past the Space Needle and by Pike Place Market, with excellent views of the water.
What do you think? Do you want to see more NASCAR street races? Lets us know in the comments below.
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