Chicago looking to 'realize the vision' with NASCAR's return visit

Julie Giese believes there is unfinished business for NASCAR in Chicago.

“We didn’t get to do so many things that we had planned and even despite 9.1 inches of rain, it was a tremendous success,” Giese told RACER. “So, if we can get some sunny skies and be able to get all the concerts in and get the race in and really be able to realize the vision that NASCAR has, and honestly Chicago has, for this event, I think it’s going to be absolutely tremendous.”

The inaugural Chicago street course race was marred by the record amount of rain the city received. NASCAR had to cancel its fan events, including the concerts, and Sunday’s Cup Series race did not run to full distance because of darkness.

But the weekend still received positive reviews for how much fun it was for those in the industry, and how different it was for fans and others who tuned in. The second edition of the street course race is set for July 6-7, and Giese’s unfinished business comment comes from the belief the second year can be just as good, if not better, than the first.

“I think it’s going to be better because everyone was skeptical before we went last year (but) the race was a hit, the whole weekend was hit and now us coming back, the whole city is pumped up for it, and everyone knows it’s going to be a big event,” Ryan Blaney told RACER. “The first year was like, ‘OK, come on (in), we’ll put a good race.’ Then they saw the good event and were like, ‘Oh, we’re definitely going. I’ve got to witness it.’

“I’m sure people are going to fly in to be like, well, we heard great things about the street race. We’ve got to go to it. So, I think it’s going to be even bigger.”

Blaney felt like only “half of the event” was held last year. But despite the weather and his on-track performance, which he described as terrible (finishing 33rd), he still enjoyed the atmosphere.

The Cup Series reigning series champion spent a day on a media blitz earlier this week helping promote the race. A common remark from those Blaney interacted with was an admittance that they enjoyed watching the race when they didn’t expect to. Or that because they aren’t NASCAR fans they didn’t expect to even want to watch it, but did.

“I think that’s the same as the driver and team perspective, too,” Blaney said. “We were nervous and worried. How is this going to work out? Is it going to be a good race? I think we were all kind of proven wrong once the show got rolling. So, I think that (feeling) comes from all sides, and now it’s big excitement to go back, and there’s no second guessing or worrying is it going to work or not.

“We know it’s going to work. We made it work in the worst conditions possible, so I’m sure everyone’s excitement level is through the roof, and that’s even on the driver’s side.”

Giese is getting the same vibe from around the city. There is already an excitement about NASCAR coming back, and Giese can see how once non-fans were educated, it changed their perspective.

Blaney admits that he had reservations about how NASCAR's inaugural street race in Chicago would play out ahead of last year's inaugural event, but now, all doubts have been erased. Motorsport Images

“I think last year was just the unknown,” Giese said. “It was, how are you doing it? How is this going to work? I think definitely this year, there is much more awareness, excitement and understanding of the event. I think the No. 1 thing you hear from people is, yeah, I watched it, and it was amazing to see, the city looked fantastic. In spite of the weather, it was an amazing event.

“It’s fun when I go to events now because I’m not the only one explaining what it is. There are a lot of other voices in the room, advocates in the room, who saw it, watched it and are like, 'this is really cool.'”

Giese has spent time since last year’s event talking to first-time attendees to learn what drew them in and what they found enjoyable. The goal is not only to repeat that atmosphere, but also to improve the experience.

NASCAR already sees the same interest in ticket sales as it did for the inaugural event. There were ticket buyers from all 50 states and 15 countries last year.

Kara Bachman, the executive director of the Chicago Sports Commission, understood the fear of the unknown from people within the city. In hoping to alleviate skepticism, Bachman tried to have people view it as one of the big festivals the city hosts.

“I think (the unknown) has truly subsided and people understand how the race operates and how professional NASCAR is and how seriously they take safety and security,” Bachman told RACER. “The event went on without any type of incident, which in a major city like Chicago is pretty phenomenal, and that’s kind of a standard we hold ourselves to. So, any type of anxiety that may have been here in year one would have been a desire to perform at the level that we do with major events and festivals. So, I think in year two, we’re ready, and everyone in the city is eager to be able to repeat.”

The planning meetings for this year’s event are going “incredibly well,” according to Giese. Last year, she personally attended over 150 meetings and visited all 77 neighborhoods, answering questions about what a street race is and if a race car could hit a building. Giese revealed that NASCAR has already found ways to improve its presence in the city this year.

“We were able to, when we look at the traffic plan, trim six days off the schedule, and that was something that was really important to us and also obviously to Chicagoans,” Giese said. “As much as we can minimize disruption the better. It’s all about improving and just continuing to optimize and get better, and I think those conversations are less having to explain the how and more how we do it even better.”

But just the presence of NASCAR in Chicago is a big deal for both sides.

“NASCAR as a brand is huge and their investment in Chicago says a lot about their faith and trust in the city and to me that speaks volumes,” Bachman said. “And then honestly, the broadcast relationships they have and media attention and the way their business operates is a really strong fit for Chicago. We’re a huge city, but there’s something familial here, and obviously, NASCAR being family-owned and operated with a work hard, play hard mentality is mutually shared between both. Honestly, having an organization like NASCAR believe in Chicago, to me that says it all.”