With the recent announcement of NASCAR first ever Foray into the world of street racing scheduled for Chicago in 2023, replacing the road race at the Road America track we take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of holding NASCAR races on street circuits in a series of two articles.
NASCAR Primarily races on ovals courses with the occasional road track during the season. In 2023 a Street Race is scheduled for the first time In Chicago. NASCAR street racing aims to bring a new dimension to NASCAR, with closer racing, a wider audience, Showcasing cities and comparisons to other motor racing sports.
The thrill of a street race is one of the biggest crowd-pullers in the world. So why can’t NASCAR join the ranks of top global racers and street race too? Well The simple answer is NASCAR is joining the ranks of motorsports than use streets to race on for the first time in its 70 plus years of history.
Will NASCAR Race On Street Circuits
The reality is that NASCAR can and will. All over the world street racing is one of the most popular and lucrative forms of sport. Formula 1 racers are lauded the world over as super stars, and this industry of racing has taken the world by storm. So as of the July 1-2 Weekend in 2023 NASCAR will not only race on ovals, Road and Dirt it will also for the first time race a Street circuit In Chicago
We have highlighted some of the Reasons Why below:
If NASCAR wants to stay ahead of the curve, stay fresh, and give its fans something new and wonderful to watch, street circuits are the smartest tie-in. NASCAR racing on a street circuit would check all the right boxes at this moment.
Street circuit racing has long been popular in Europe, South America, and Asia. It’s a way for respected, ancient cities to showcase their modern facilities, local culture, tourism industry, and talent. It becomes as much a celebration of the city itself, as a sporting event, and cities vie for the coveted role of sponsoring circuit racing and of course it is much MUCH cheaper than building a purpose built Oval or race track.
The overwhelming popularity of Netflix specials on F1 racing have piqued many Americans’ interest in this sport, with its crazy, thrilling moves, danger, and the excitement of racing through narrow, winding streets. It’s absolutely jaw-dropping, and the electricity in the crowd is unmatched.
What better way to bring the United States to the forefront of racing, and help promote NASCAR to the world than for the sport to be enjoyed in a format already familiar to 900 million global fans of F1 racing?
While street circuit racing has an immense fan following globally, most Americans have stuck to NASCAR. NASCAR is native, raw power, and evokes many memories of family and fun for a large portion of Americans. It also use’s cars which while different at least resemble something you might have in your driveway which brings racing that little bit closer to real life for many.
here’s no need to scrap one for the other; just combine the two formats in a way that is novel, unique, and exciting for US viewers. NASCAR street circuit racing is beginning to look like a possible future for the sport.
Nothing to Lose in Trying a NASCAR Street Race.
it is unlikely that a NASCAR street race will look much like an IndyCar or a F1 Race day. The cars are very much different. It will be difficult to pass, there will be bumping and scrapping and it will never reach the 200 mph of the ovals. However it will bring something new to the sport, and although there is never a case for alienating the old school bread and butter fans there is certainly a case for bringing new fans into the sport.
Even if just trying a NASCAR street race for a year or two to see how it is received it shows that NASCAR is willing to diversify to bring in those viewers, and more viewers means more dollars and more dollars secures the future of the sport.
Already in 2022 there has been 2 new (ish) race formats introduced with the Clash at the quarter mile track at the LA Coliseum and the Reintroduction of Dirt at bristol. WHile Bristol had perhaps more criticisms than praise and the coliseum was roundly praised it showed that NASCAR is not afraid to shake things up and see where things fall. A street race is certainly a pretty large shake.
We also have a full article on why NASCAR Street racing is a bad idea here, to provide balance. You can check it out on the link below.
The Future of NASCAR, for America
Much to the delight and surprise of many fans, it was recently announced that NASCAR will indeed be doing a street circuit race in Chicago in 2023. This street circuit will be about 2.2 miles long, and seems to signal a new possible direction for NASCAR. There’s a lot of excitement, planning, promotion, and energy behind this move and the brand is clearly looking forward to next year’s event.
How does this tie in to other global sporting trends? As the world gets smaller and more connected via social media and the internet, international sports become more common, and popular, and we learn more about each other, too. It’s now possible to watch and learn from global sports trends from the comfort of your own home.
And as we get more and more of a sense of what excites and drives sports fans in other countries, we can imagine things we never thought possible.
NASCAR street circuit racing is one of those things. It combines something exotic, thrilling, and slightly terrifying (but in a good way), with something familiar, homey, and understandable to many American viewers.
It’s a way for US cities to show off for sports fans, bring in thousands of tourism dollars, and promote themselves to the rest of America. This is especially important as tourism economies across America seek to recover from years of restrictions and travel limitations due to restrictions, and as many cities look for ways to rebrand themselves, and bring in visitors.
Best of Both Worlds
What better means to make this happen for American cities than with something as American as NASCAR? NASCAR is the right franchise for this project; it’s established, beloved, and has years of racing experience behind it. This is an excellent opportunity for NASCAR to be itself, while embracing something new and different.
NASCAR street circuit racing takes hold of the best of American sports, while giving a nod to a format of racing that has won hearts and dedicated fans around the world. This may also be a great way to reach out to an international audience with NASCAR, and win some of the attention, respect, and interest from global fans that Formula 1 racing receives.
Ultimate Tourism Booster
This is also a fantastic way for Chicago to reach out to the rest of America, too. Struggling for years now with a high crime rate and political woes, Chicago needs a boost right now, and a way to show the rest of the country that they’re here, and strong, and a top destination for something different, yet familiar.
Although NASCAR looked at many cities chicago was always top of th list. It is used to holding lasrge scale events, and the backdrop of lake Michagan was a huge pull.
NASCAR street circuit racing is just the thing. What better way to show off the beauty, history, and design of Chicago than with a street race?
Sure, stadium races pull in crowds, too, but no one watching at home gets much of a feel for the vibe or beauty of the hosting city.
Let’s face it; stadiums all look the same. And if all your viewership back home gets is helicopter shots of a stadium, no one comes away from the broadcast knowing anything at all about the host city, save for the it exists.
NASCAR street circuit racing changes all that, by putting the action in the heart of downtowns. You get breathtaking views of sky lines and home city streets, and a real feel for the vibe and culture of the home city. Locals pour out to support and showcase their city, and visitors are treated to local food, atmosphere, music, and excitement. It’s a true win-win for fans and for cities.
Conclusion
There’s no way around it, NASCAR street circuit racing is the future and the way forward, for NASCAR, America, and the world. It’s the perfect way to bring American cities to Americans, and the world, in a way that will connect with a global audience like never before.
It’s an exciting, truly local take on an American staple, and a great way for cities to re-introduce themselves to the world.
It’s a new and exciting experience for drivers, and for fans. It’ll be all the rules and standards familiar to NASCAR fans, on roadways that drive home everything that is special and irreplaceable about American cities.
References
- https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/07/19/nascar-reveals-chicago-street-race-on-tap-for-2023-cup-series-seasons-july-1-2-weekend/
- https://beyondtheflag.com/2019/11/28/should-nascar-add-street-course-race/
- https://theathletic.com/3434193/2022/07/19/nascar-chicago-street-race-risks/
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