CHICAGO (WLS) — Sunday is day two of the NASCAR Street Race weekend in downtown Chicago.
The big race is happening later Sunday after a successful Xfinity Series race Saturday.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Cars zoomed by major city streets like Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive with the iconic skyline as backdrop.
Drivers in the Cup Series race fired up their engines Sunday afternoon to take their shot at the challenging track. It is a 75-lap course around Chicago’s Loop.
SEE ALSO | 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: Live updates
Cars will reach speeds over 100 mph on the fast straightaways. With lots of twists and turns, drivers told ABC7 that it is much more difficult to navigate versus the typical oval-shaped tracks normally seen in NASCAR races.
Two-thousand concrete barriers were brought in to shape this insane street course, taking drivers on a tour throughout downtown.
The gates opened at 9 a.m. to get in on all the action. Big name headliners like Keith Urban and Lauren Alaina performed on Sunday before the race.
Fans are embracing the excitement across the city.
“Electric vibes… I love it,” Aurora resident Ryne Polko said. “I’m excited to see Kyle Larson race… my favorite racer.”
Fans got all sorts of action throughout the day, with Laura Alaina’s concert starting the festivities. Keith Urban also took over Grant Park with a concert of his own. Some fans were more excited for that than the actual race.
“I’m a huge Keith Urban fan, so we get a little bit of both worlds here,” Aurora resident Katie Polko said. “It’s so exciting. Chicago puts on a great show… ready to rock.”
If all that entertainment wasn’t enough, people also saw some tricks and flips with a special motor cross event.
“Live music… motocross… backflips, front flips… seat grabs … your heart will drop if you see it,” Chicago resident Jason Ballinger said.
After last year’s festivities were interrupted by heavy downpours, people said this year’s event is making for the perfect atmosphere.
“It seems like the planning was better,” said Pam Schoeffling from Milwaukee. “Of course, first time you always learn something, but there must’ve been enough right going on that the city brought it in, so I’m glad to be here.”
Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
