NASCAR is reportedly returning to Chicagoland Speedway in 2027, while plans for another race through the streets of downtown Chicago have been put on hold.
According to The Athletic, NASCAR will race at the 1.5-mile oval in Joliet next season after negotiations with the city of Chicago and state of Illinois failed to produce an agreement for a return to the downtown street course.
The Chicago Street Race was held around Grant Park from 2023 through 2025. The original three-year agreement expired following the 2025 event, and the race was left off the 2026 schedule. NASCAR and Chicago officials continued discussions about bringing the event back in 2027, but negotiations reportedly reached an impasse over costs and how much financial support would come from the state.
NASCAR could now turn its attention toward potentially bringing the downtown race back in 2028.
The decision means Chicagoland Speedway is expected to remain on the Cup Series schedule after making a successful return this summer.
The Joliet track hosted NASCAR’s national series annually from 2001 through 2019 before going largely dormant. NASCAR brought the facility back for 2026 after investing a reported $5 million in improvements.
Its return proved successful, with a capacity crowd attending the July race and drivers praising the racing produced by Chicagoland’s worn surface. Chase Briscoe won the Cup Series race and afterward expressed hope NASCAR would continue racing at the track.
Chicagoland’s addition is also expected to help NASCAR finalize the remaining portions of its 2027 schedule. Most of the schedule has already been announced, with several dates in June and early July still open.
NASCAR could officially announce Chicagoland’s return as soon as Tuesday.
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