2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race Road Closures and Safety Information

In cooperation with our cross-sector safety partners, Titan Security is monitoring the events around the 2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race, set to be held on Saturday, July 1st and Sunday, July 2nd in downtown Chicago. Street closures are scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 10th and will fully reopen Thursday, July 13th. Below is a schedule of the traffic and street closure plan.

Route Re-Opening Plans

July 3

At least one lane of traffic is expected to reopen on southbound Lake Shore Drive by midnight on July 3. Northbound Michigan Avenue and eastbound Roosevelt Road will also see one lane reopen, while all of westbound Roosevelt Road is expected to reopen.

July 4-5

Beginning at midnight and continuing through 4 p.m., officials are expected to continue to remove track wall from the event on southbound Lake Shore Drive, fully reopening the road after 4 p.m., officials said.

Then, beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing through the morning hours of July 5, the remaining walls on northbound Michigan Avenue will be removed, “allowing for three lanes” to reopen.

July 5-6

Between July 5 and July 6 Congress Circle is expected to fully reopen.

July 6-7

Columbus Drive between Roosevelt and Balbo is expected to remain closed in both directions. Balbo Drive will also remain closed to traffic between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.

July 8-9

Jackson Drive will remain closed between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive in both directions. Closures will also continue on Columbus Drive.

July 10

Columbus Drive reopens in both directions between Roosevelt Road and Jakcson Boulevard, but one lane remains closed between Balbo Drive and Jackson Boulevard in both directions.
Ida B. Wells between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive fully reopens.
Jackson Boulevard and Columbus Drive intersection reopens.

July 11

Northbound Columbus Drive reopens fully between Balbo Drive and Jackson Boulevard.

July 12-13

Balbo Drive reopens between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

July 14-15

All streets, parking and sidewalks are reopened.

Alternate Routes
For those needing to travel north or south, officials recommend:

• State St.
• Dearborn St. (NB)
• LaSalle St. (NB and SB)
• Wells St. (SB)
• Franklin St. (NB)
• Upper Wacker Dr. (NB and SB)

For west or east:

• Upper Wacker. (EB and WB)
• Randolph St. (WB)
• Washington. (EB)
• Madison Ave. (WB)
• Roosevelt Rd. (EB and WB)
• 18th St. (EB and WB)
• 22nd St / Cermak (EB and WB)

Temporary Overnight Street Closures

• Sunday, June 25 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Temporary overnight closure of westbound Roosevelt Rd between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Dr.  
• Monday, June 26 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Temporary overnight multi-lane closure on southbound Lake Shore Dr. between Balbo Dr, and Roosevelt Rd. for track barrier installation. Travel reduced to one lane.
• Tuesday, June 27 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Temporary overnight multi-lane closures on southbound Lake Shore Dr. between Balbo Dr, and Roosevelt Rd. for track barrier installation. Travel reduced to one lane.

Available Race Day routes* on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 include:

• DuSable Lake Shore Drive Northbound will remain open from South Shore Dr. to McFetridge Dr.
• DuSable Lake Shore Drive Southbound will remain open from Hollywood Blvd to Randolph St.
• Inner DuSable Lake Shore Drive will remain open in both directions
• Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions
• Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions
• Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) will remain open in both directions
• Stevenson Expressway (I-55) will remain open in both directions
• In the Loop – the following streets remain open: State St, Dearborn St, Clark St.
• LaSalle St, Wells St, Franklin St, Upper Wacker Dr, Lower Wacker Dr, Randolph St.
• Washington St, Madison Ave, Roosevelt Rd – West of Michigan Ave, 18th St.

*These routes are scheduled to be available; however, additional streets may be closed by the City of Chicago, if deemed necessary.

Streets with Local Access Only for Residents, Businesses and their Employees. 
Sidewalks will remain open throughout the event.

• 8th St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
• 9th St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
• 11th St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
• Balbo Dr. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
• Harrison St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
• Ida B. Wells from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
• Jackson Blvd. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
• NB Michigan Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to Balbo Dr., June 29–July 5  
• SB Michigan Ave. from Monroe St. to Jackson Dr., June 29–July 5  
• Van Buren St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5 
• SB Indiana Ave. from Roosevelt Rd.to 13^th St., June 29-July 4*

*The above Local Access Only streets will have a temporary cul-de-sac in place to allow for two-way traffic.

In the Chicago Loop, the following streets will remain open during race weekend:

• State St
• Dearborn St
• Clark St
• LaSalle St
• Wells St
• Franklin St
• Upper Wacker Dr
• Lower Wacker Dr
• Randolph St
• Washington St
• Madison Ave
• Roosevelt Rd – West of Michigan Ave
• 18th St
• Cermak Rd

More detailed information surrounding the street closure plan can be found by clicking here.

Additional Event Information

Saturday, July 1st Schedule
9:00am: Gates Open
10:00am-2:30pm: Practice and qualifying on track
2:30pm-3:30pm: Pre-Race Concert
3:30pm: Racer introductions
4:00pm: The Loop 121 Xfinity Series Race
Post-Race: Concert in festival area

Sunday, July 2nd Schedule
9:00am: Gates Open
TBD: Pre-Race Concert
4:00pm: Racer introductions
4:30pm: The Grant Park 220 NASCAR Cup Series Race
Post-Race: Victory Lane Celebration

Other Highlights

• Butler Field will be free with NASCAR displays and entertainment
• Main pedestrian entry point located at Monroe and Columbus
• Three pedestrian bridges will arch over course to ease crowd flow
• Approx 50,000 attendees daily

Course Map

Pre- and Post-Event Bus Service Impacts

Before and after the event, due to closures on Balbo, Michigan and Roosevelt, several bus
routes around Grant Park will be rerouted. The routes include #1, #2, #3, #4, #X4, #6, #7, #10, J14, #26, #28, #126, #143, #147, and some #148 in the evening.

Due to road closures on Roosevelt, which start June 29, and continuing through July 5 while
race-related structures are removed, visitors stopping at the Roosevelt Red/Orange/Green line
station can transfer to a shuttle bus to the Museum Campus, replacing the regular #146 bus.
Passengers can also walk a half-mile from the Roosevelt Red/Orange/Green Line station under
the Roosevelt Du Sable Lake Shore Drive underpass. These shuttles will run every 15 minutes.

For more information on impacted CTA lines leading up to and during the NASCAR Race Weekend, please click here.

Parks Access and OEMC Hotline

The Chicago Park District will prioritize public access during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, keeping more than half of the park open during the event, including set-up and tear down. Access to popular park features like Buckingham Fountain, Butler Field, and Lower Hutchinson Field will remain accessible to the public with minimal restrictions that equate to less than one-fifth of event operation days.  

A NASCAR Chicago Street Race hotline has been set up. The 888.629.7223 number will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST beginning Monday, June 26 through Sunday, July 2.  After 9 p.m. CST all calls will go to the voicemail box with a notification email that will be sent directly to a representative. When the Center re-opens in the morning, a representative will follow-up. 

Event Safety Best Practices

• If you see something suspicious, report it
• Carry water and stay hydrated
• Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
• Utilize the buddy system
• Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
• Leave any valuables at home
• Do not jump any barricades
• Secure handbags and wallets
• Stay calm and pleasant
• Follow your own instincts
• Leave yourself room to move quickly

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

About Titan Security Group

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