In a few days, NASCAR will bring a street racing circuit to downtown Chicago and see vehicles fly over major city streets and around buildings on a route the city has never seen before.
The 2.2-mile route takes riders past some of the city’s most famous landmarks and through some of its most notable streets, including Lake Shore Drive.
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race features street segments around and near Grant Park. From Buckingham Fountain to Grant Park to Michigan Avenue, drivers travel a route that offers views of Lake Michigan and several other Chicago landmarks.
Here is a full map of the track as provided by NASCAR:
Here’s a turn-by-turn breakdown of the 12-turn road race scheduled to take place on July 2nd, 2023:
Front direct:
The first straight and pit lane will be on South Columbus Drive and will run over a two-block stretch that will take the race past the famous Buckingham Fountain.
Round one:
Drivers will make a left onto East Balbo Drive and head towards Lake Michigan.
round two:
Motorists then turn right onto the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive and speed toward the museum campus, with the Field Museum ahead and the softball fields at Grant Park to the right.
Round three:
The slow right hander before the Field Museum marks the third turn on the track.
Round four:
At the southernmost point of the circuit, drivers must take a 90-degree turn onto East Roosevelt Road.
Round five:
Motorists then turn back onto South Columbus Drive and head north on a long straight.
Round six:
At one of the most interesting sections of the circuit, the drivers make a left onto East Balbo Drive and get close to the first corner.
Round seven:
A right-hand turn onto South Michigan Avenue takes drivers back north and into a chicane, which is one of the most challenging spots on the track.
Round eight:
Drivers follow the right turn of Congress Plaza and begin a sweeping chicane that takes drivers across Ida B. Wells Drive.
Round nine:
Located in front of Buckingham Fountain, this turnoff takes drivers back left and back onto Michigan Avenue.
Tenth move:
This fork will briefly put drivers back on Michigan Avenue and head north while making another quick right turn.
Eleven years old:
This curve represents the northernmost portion of the route, with drivers turning right again onto East Jackson Drive. The Art Institute of Chicago’s famous lions will also be near this curve at the intersection of Michigan and Jackson.
Twelfth turn:
This corner puts riders right back on top, sending them right and back onto Columbus Drive for a long straight.