NASCAR Joliet Confirmed
NASCAR Relocates 2027 Chicago Street Race to Joliet Amid Funding Shortfall
Key Points
A funding gap for the Chicago Street Race remained sizable, with reports noting a $10 million shortfall in a state grant. The state had allocated $5 million for FY 2027, while NASCAR was seeking a $15 million grant to support the event.
The Joliet weekend will be a three-race affair with a clear day-by-day lineup: ARCA Menards Series on Friday, June 25; NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday, June 26; and the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, June 27, 2027.
Chicagoland Speedway General Manager Jacque Herrera emphasized strong fan engagement, stating, 'The fan response this year was overwhelming,' in reference to the Joliet event and its significance for a continued Joliet weekend in 2027.
NASCAR had been aiming to schedule both the Chicago Street Race and a Joliet weekend in 2027 but could not finalize a date for Chicago, signaling the Street Race would not return that year while keeping the door open for a future revival.
The Joliet decision follows a notable 2026 run at Chicagoland, which included a July 4th weekend return—the first NASCAR race in Joliet in seven years—highlighting Joliet as the preferred regional hub while Chicago Street Race discussions continue to evolve.
NASCAR is pulling its Cup Series out of downtown Chicago for 2027, ending a three-year run of the Chicago Street Race in Grant Park. Instead, the series will race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, for a three-day weekend on June 25–27, 2027, RACER reported.
The move comes after NASCAR and city and state officials could not finalize a date or close a funding gap in time for a 2027 return. Secret Chicago reported that NASCAR said it 'remains committed' to the Chicago area but could not make the street race work for next year.
$10 Million Funding Gap Killed the Street Race Deal
Money was the core problem. The state of Illinois allocated $5 million for the Chicago Street Race in fiscal year 2027. But NASCAR was seeking a $15 million state grant to support the event. That left a $10 million shortfall that neither side could close in time, according to Head Topics.
Scheduling was a second wall NASCAR hit. Officials could not lock in a viable date with the city and state. With both problems unsolved, NASCAR made the call to skip Grant Park for 2027. The door is not fully closed — officials say a future street race revival is still possible if conditions improve.
Joliet Comeback Follows a Strong 2026 Fourth of July Weekend
Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet had already proven itself before this announcement. The 2026 race at the 1.5-mile track was the first NASCAR event in Joliet in seven years. It drew fans from all 50 states and 31 countries, with strong first-time attendance numbers.
Jacque Herrera, General Manager of Chicagoland Speedway, said the fan response was clear. 'The fan response this year was overwhelming,' she said. That enthusiasm helped push NASCAR to lock in Joliet as the Chicago-area hub for 2027.
Three Races, Three Days: The Full Joliet Lineup
The 2027 Joliet weekend is a stacked three-day event. The ARCA Menards Series runs on Friday, June 25. The NASCAR Xfinity Series — also known as the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series — follows on Saturday, June 26. The NASCAR Cup Series closes things out on Sunday, June 27, RACER confirmed.
That structure gives fans a full racing weekend at one venue. It mirrors the format NASCAR used for other major multi-series events. For the Chicago region, Joliet now serves as the clear home base for NASCAR while street race talks continue in the background.
Grant Park Neighbors Had Long Complained About Race Disruptions
The Chicago Street Race was not without controversy on the ground. Residents near Grant Park raised concerns about street closures, parking restrictions, and noise from the event. Those complaints added pressure to an already complicated relationship between NASCAR and city officials, Secret Chicago noted.
The combination of local pushback, a funding shortfall, and scheduling failures made 2027 a non-starter for the street race. For now, Joliet gives NASCAR a stable, proven venue in the Chicago market. Whether Grant Park ever hosts another race depends on whether the city, state, and NASCAR can finally align on money and timing.
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