As NASCAR’s relationship with the city of Chicago enters its fourth year, locals have begun to voice their feelings about the ongoing street race events.
Initially hailed as a ‘love letter’ to Chicago, the series of races has sparked mixed reactions from residents who feel smothered and inconvenienced by the spectacle.
The Chicago Street Race president, Julie Giese, and former mayor Lori Lightfoot both used the term ‘love letter’ when introducing NASCAR to the urban landscape.
However, that sentiment isn’t universally shared anymore, as many Chicagoans find themselves longing for the familiar comforts of their city rather than the noise and disruption of auto racing.
In a heartfelt yet biting letter directed at NASCAR, locals express their disinterest, stating, ‘It’s not you, NASCAR. It’s us.’
The letter goes on to highlight that before NASCAR’s arrival, Chicagoans never felt the void that street racing filled.
Residents resonate with sports like baseball, football, basketball, and hockey, but vocabulary related to auto racing has left them confused and uninterested.
Expressions such as ‘drafting’ and ‘restrictor plate’ evoke blank stares instead of recognition, leading to a growing sense of disconnect between NASCAR and the local culture.
To further illustrate their frustrations, the letter notes how NASCAR takes up valuable downtown space, forcing residents to navigate awkward detours just to avoid the racing events.
Many residents are particularly aggrieved by the scheduling of fireworks on a day after the Fourth of July, claiming it reflects poorly on the event planners.
They argue that it makes no sense to hold the fireworks display a day late, just as the Taste of Chicago should not happen in September.
The locals express their desire to reconnect with traditional summer experiences, yearning for food and festivities that showcase their city.
Old favorites, like enjoying a souvlaki kebab or lumpia by Buckingham Fountain, seem far removed now.
The letter points out that the street race has disrupted the picturesque view of the lakefront, transforming it into something more reminiscent of an auto racing circuit.
Additionally, fans have been disappointed with the racing itself, citing long caution periods and halted races as less than thrilling experiences.
Despite the star power of NASCAR, local residents feel ambivalent about the events, leaving them questioning whether NASCAR ever truly engaged with the city.
Former NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick had assured residents that they would fall in love with the sport once they experienced it live.
Now, the locals wonder if NASCAR has genuinely made an effort to connect with Chicago, insinuating that maybe the love was never reciprocated.
Rumors have circulated that NASCAR might consider ending its Chicago relationship, prompting both concern and relief among residents.
Acknowledging that a breakup might ultimately serve both parties better, residents suggest that perhaps the timing wasn’t right.
As they reflect on the past three years, the collective sentiment is one of cautious optimism, hinting at a possibility of reconciliation in the distant future.
In closing, the letter reminds NASCAR not to take their absence too personally, suggesting future possibilities but also signaling that it’s time to part ways.
As the relationship between Chicago and NASCAR continues to evolve, residents hope for a return to the character and charm they cherish in their urban landscape.
image source from：chicago
