Downtown NASCAR event to impact traffic, public transportation

JUNE 24, 2025

The city of Chicago is hosting the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend on July 5 and July 6 in Grant Park downtown. 

Although the race should cause minimal direct impacts near the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, there will be significant street closures downtown and changes to public transportation schedules that could slow down transportation to many parts of the city, including our campus.

Street closures downtown began on June 19 and run through July 14.

One of the largest changes for UChicago commuters will be DuSable Lake Shore Drive closing entirely to southbound traffic from Randolph Street through McFetridge Drive, starting July 3 through July 8. Northbound DuSable Lake Shore drive will also be closed to traffic beginning 10 p.m. on July 3 and is expected to reopen on July 7.

These closures will likely cause slowdowns and delays on alternate routes as well.

The race will affect the Downtown Campus Connector shuttle, with the stop on Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road moving two blocks west to State Street and Roosevelt Road from June 26 through July 7.

Beginning at 47th Street, the shuttle will use State Street while traveling northbound to avoid Michigan Avenue street closures until Washington Street. At Washington Street, the shuttle will turn right to head back to Michigan Avenue and resume its normal route. No other stops will be affected.

A map of the reroute is below:

We anticipate potential delays due to rerouted downtown traffic during this period.

A list of all the expected street and sidewalk closures can be found on the event’s website.

This story was updated on June 27.