The 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend is in full swing on Saturday with Day 1; Shane van Gisbergen wins the XFinity Series race

CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s full steam ahead with the start of the second annual NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend.

Drivers took on the 2.2-mile race track around Grant Park on Saturday, with Shane van Gisbergen winning the XFinity Series race after winning the Cup Series in Chicago last year.

NASCAR LIVE BLOG | NASCAR Chicago Street Race 2024: Live Updates

To create the crazy road layout, around 2,000 concrete barriers were brought in, which took the drivers on a tour through Chicago’s Loop.

Against the backdrop of the famous skyline, the cars race through the city’s major streets, such as Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, reaching top speeds of well over 100 mph on the fast straights and taking tight corners on the challenging track.

“People from Chicago came to try something different… it was really cool to be a part of,” said local resident Zackary Cohen.

Overview of the events:

Gates open at 8:45 am

Qualifying rounds for Sunday’s Cup Series race took place on Saturday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Kyle Larson won the pool.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series race began on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. The track consisted of 50 laps.

Buddy Guy performed on the DraftKings stage on Saturday from 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Black Keys will perform on the DraftKings stage on Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Chainsmokers took the stage on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The Cup Series, a 75-lap race, begins at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

READ MORE | 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend schedule, live concerts and festival information

“I think it brings people from all walks of life together…both Chicagoans and those from across the country…we could use that right now,” said Michelle Prifer, visiting from Michigan.

Fan racing experience

The second year of NASCAR Chicago started with roaring engines and screeching tires.

“They have everything,” said NASCAR fan Jake Kern. “They want to make it inclusive. There’s something for everyone here.”

Both long-time fans and newcomers expressed their enthusiasm.

“It’s my first race and I’m so excited,” said NASCAR rookie Kay Lewis.

Saturday’s race, The Loop 110, is a warm-up for Sunday’s main event, the NASCAR Cup Series race. With the sun shining brightly, it’s an ideal day to race through the downtown streets at top speeds well over 100 miles per hour.

“I think it’s great,” said Ryneshia Pauling, a NASCAR fan from South Carolina. “Everyone comes, and for me it’s different because it’s street racing and not on a drag strip.”

The races attracted fans from all over the country and also an international audience.

“It’s wonderful,” said Canadian NASCAR fan Sylvain Simard. “The track layout is wonderful. NASCAR is top notch… Racing in the city is wonderful, everything is cool… near Lake Michigan… the cars are amazing… the first corner is the best.”

The racing is the main attraction, but there’s plenty more for fans, including freestyle motocross, where riders fly up the ramp and perform tricks in the air in front of the magnificent Chicago skyline.

“This is insane. It’s insane,” said NASCAR fan Jeremy Chung. “This is really awesome. The first NASCAR event. Cool to see them on the road. This is really unbelievable.”

Chicago treasure, blues legend Buddy Guy, was fittingly the first musician to open the weekend. It was a big improvement over last year’s opening weekend, when heavy rain forced the cancellation of concerts and the delay of races.

“This is much better than last year. I love it,” said NASCAR fan Isaiah White. “I didn’t get to experience what I wanted, but this year I got it.”

More fan experiences

Right next to the race track in Grant Park, fans could experience the thrill and excitement of a NASCAR race in Chicago.

“The weather is great,” said a fan named Mark. “Everything about the NASCAR races here is great. The economy… everything. I know they didn’t want to do it in two years, but I hope they do. Make it an annual event.”

A special car unveiled in the Fan Zone kept fans busy all day.

“I think this is really cool. It’s my first time at NASCAR…” said visitor Jayah Morris.

The race weekend was significantly drier than last year, when heavy rainfall affected many of the weekend’s events.

“There’s a lot to do. A lot for children too,” said visitor Andrew Burns. “Last year we didn’t really have anything to do because everything was closed and flooded, so it’s a new experience for us too.”

New this year are free events for fans at Butler Field in the NASCAR Village featuring interactive displays, racing simulators and appearances by NASCAR drivers.

“It’s pretty cool,” said fan Henry Pink. “I tried the racing simulator. I got to sit in the car. I won one of those things playing spin, so that’s pretty cool.”

This year, additional events were added to make the race weekend more inclusive and representative of Chicago’s communities.

“This is really nice. It’s really nice that it’s open this year compared to last year,” said visitor Brian Castongia. “It was barely busy, but that’s great.”

NASCAR partners with the Chicago Loop Alliance to ensure that all 77 Chicago neighborhoods are represented.

“We have 20 vendors that we work with on our Sundays at State,” said Michael Edwards of the Chicago Loop Alliance. “They come from all over Chicago, they’re small and large companies.”

Local restaurants and shops in Grant Park offered ticket holders a taste of Chicago from the neighborhoods of Pullman, Chatham and historic Bronzeville. It’s a true reflection of Chicago’s communities and NASCAR’s growing reach.

“It’s an opportunity for all the people who come here from all over the world to learn more about Chicago, but also for us to learn more about NASCAR,” Edwards said.

Road closures

Major road closures came into effect on Friday.

As of 12:01 a.m., DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed north and south between Randolph Street and McFetridge Road.

Southbound Michigan Avenue is closed between Roosevelt Road and Jackson Drive.

The northbound lane of Indiana Avenue is closed at 13th Street.

Monroe Street is closed between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

READ MORE | Chicago NASCAR race track map, road closures, parking restrictions