We don’t know who will take the checkered flag at next month’s NASCAR Chicago Street Race, but we do know who will be behind the checkered tablecloths.

Chicago-based Levy was named Wednesday as the new food and beverage provider for the third annual pop–up race in Grant Park, bringing a refreshed lineup of restaurants to the July Fourth weekend event, from concessions to the premium hospitality clubs and suites.

Levy replaces Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You, which handled food and beverages during the first two Chicago Street Races.

“We are thrilled to partner with another Chicago-based culinary powerhouse like Levy to ensure that we continue to shine a spotlight on the local Chicago food scene,” Julie Giese, NASCAR Chicago Street Race president, said in a news release Wednesday.

Launched 47 years ago from a Chicago delicatessen, Levy has evolved into a leading sports and entertainment hospitality company with more than 300 venues in North America. Chicago-area sports venues served by Levy include Wrigley Field, United Center, Rate Field and Now Arena in Hoffman Estates.

Levy is no stranger to big sporting events. Last year it provided the food and beverage service for Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, its sixth Big Game appearance in the new millennium. It also handles the hospitality at NASCAR’s marquee race, the Daytona 500.

A unique event on the NASCAR calendar, the third annual Chicago Street Race features an Xfinity Series race on July 5, and the nationally televised Grant Park 165 Cup Series race on July 6.

For this year’s Chicago Street Race, Levy will debut new offerings throughout the Grant Park footprint, including from its own Chicago restaurants, Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap and River Roast. It will also bring a number of locally owned favorites to the race weekend, including Mr. Beef, Bronzeville Winery, Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Robinson’s Ribs and Josephine’s Southern Cooking.

Review: Lexington Betty Smokehouse barbecue in Pullman is not only resilient, but resoundingly good

“The NASCAR Chicago Street Race highlights our city and the sport in a totally unique way, and it’s been incredible to see fans rally behind it,” Andy Lansing, CEO of Levy, said in the release. “We’re so excited to help elevate an already wonderful event with a new level of food, beverage and hometown hospitality.”

The Chicago Street Race will once again feature a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course through Grant Park, down DuSable Lake Shore Drive and up Michigan Avenue, which will be closed and lined with fences, grandstands and hospitality suites. But a relocated concert stage will replace the Skyline, a temporary structure along Columbus Drive that last year housed the most expensive suites overlooking the start/finish line at Buckingham Fountain.

Southern rockers the Zac Brown Band, scheduled to perform after the Xfinity Series race, are the only musical headliners on the bill for year three. But NASCAR is planning to add a miniature golf course and other family-friendly activities to the festivities.

Street closings will begin this week for Chicago’s NASCAR street race. Here’s what to know.

Major street closings for the streamlined buildout have been reduced to 18 days. The first shutdown is set for Thursday — nine days later than last year — with Balbo Drive closing from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. All streets are scheduled to be reopened by July 14.

Single-day general admission passes start at $99 — a third less than last year — while premium grandstand reserved seats are priced at a nearly 50% reduction. Children 12 and under are free both days, with an accompanying adult.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com

Originally Published: June 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM CDT

Spire Motorsports has issued a hefty fine to their own driver after Mexico City

On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series raced in Mexico City for the first time.

After the event, driver Carson Hocevar was live-streaming a race on iRacing while speaking on his experiences. He had both positive and negative things to say about the event.

The negative things have brought a fine from his own team. Spire Motorsports has issued a $50,000 fine to Hocevar in addition to mandatory cultural-sensitivity training.

Spire Motorsports issued the following statement…

Mexico Results: June 15, 2025 (NASCAR Cup Series)

Spire Motorsports fined their driver $50,000

“After a thorough internal review of Carson Hocevar’s recent livestream remarks about Mexico City, and in close consultation with NASCAR, Spire Motorsports is issuing the following disciplinary measures:”

– “A $50,000 fine, which will be donated in equal portions to three organizations that serve Mexican communities:”

— “Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross) — providing humanitarian and medical relief across Mexico.”

— “Un Kilo de Ayuda — a nonprofit combating childhood malnutrition and supporting early-childhood development in rural communities.”

— “Fondo Unido México (United Way Mexico) — funding local NGOs that improve education, health, and housing in 22 Mexican states.”

— “Mandatory cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training to be completed by Carson Hocevar.”

“These actions are consistent with Spire Motorsports’ core value of RESPECT, which is something we proudly display on every race car, team uniform, trackside hauler, and digital channel. Respect is not a slogan. It is a daily expectation that we “walk the walk” in how we speak, compete, and serve the communities that welcome our sport.”

“Carson Hocevar’s recent comments made during the livestream fell short of that standard. They did not represent the views of Spire Motorsports, our partners, or NASCAR. He has acknowledged his mistake publicly, and his prompt, sincere apology demonstrated personal accountability. We now take this additional step to underscore that words carry weight, and respect must be lived out loud.”

“Spire Motorsports has informed NASCAR of these penalties, and NASCAR has confirmed that our team-imposed discipline satisfies the sanctioning body’s requirements. Together we remain committed to showcasing NASCAR’s global growth, celebrating the passionate Mexican fanbase we experienced firsthand last weekend, and ensuring every member of our organization treats hosts, competitors, and communities with dignity.”

“We look forward to turning the page by racing hard, representing our partners, and living our values on and off the track.”

Carson Hocevar comments

“Whoa everybody, the truth is the truth,” Hocevar opened.

“I said something that not only was wrong, I said it without even laying my own two eyes on CDMX or turning one lap in an actual race at an amazing facility that welcomed me with open arms and I go and say that?”

“Thank you for the support but I’m not sure we’re on the same page. You guys want me to be me?  It was me who said it and it was me who apologized after actually taking the time to explore the city and feel the passion of every fan in attendance.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to learn and I knew before this weekend what respect means to this organization and I didn’t meet the standard so I got what I deserved.  I hate learning these lessons in the public eye and bringing any negative attention to Spire or me.”

“We’ve been fast just about every week and I’m sure I have plenty of mistakes left in me.  I appreciate growing up in front of all of you and you guys get to see the good and the bad.  I’m just me.  I’m trying. It just doesn’t always go the way I want and I bring a lot of this on myself.”

“However, I love being in this garage, with this team surrounded by the best drivers and fans in the world.  See you in Pocono.”

Carson Hocevar says he may need to move to Mexico to hide from Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Links

Carson Hocevar | NASCAR