Motorsports

Road shutdown for NASCAR race is beyond challenging

Published

2 weeks ago

July 12, 2025

My thanks to the Tribune Editorial Board for acknowledging the disruption NASCAR causes for the 50,000 residents of the Loop (“NASCAR should have a future in Chicago — if it’s not held on Fourth of July weekend,” July 10). I live in Lake Shore East, and it is frustratingly difficult to get around while major roads are closed. I regularly travel on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and during the days the southbound lanes are closed (from Randolph to McFetridge), I have to drive a circuitous route to 31st Street in order to get on the southbound drive.

As many as 155,000 motorists travel the drive every day, and all of those cars are forced off onto arterial roads. This is a maddening and illogical disruption. What event could possibly justify closing a major highway for days on end?

My beef is not with the people from NASCAR since they are simply doing what the city has allowed them to do. I have been in several community meetings with Julie Giese, the head of NASCAR Chicago, and she has consistently been responsive to input. My beef is with our mayor and my alderman who refuse to acknowledge how disruptive this event is for residents, workers, small business owners, visitors and travelers. Changing the date or demanding more money for the Park District is not going to change the basics — a street race does not belong in downtown Chicago.

Beginning in May and throughout the summer, major downtown roads are continually closed. When the roads opened after the Suenos music festival, they began closing for NASCAR. Now that roads are open after NASCAR, they will begin closing for Lollapalooza.

This is no way to run a downtown where 50,000-plus people live.

— Sue Connaughton, Chicago

No more NASCAR

While Chicago has seen some tourism benefits from our three years of NASCAR street races, the burden created by weeks of street closures, many rerouted buses and some businesses being unable to operate exceeds those benefits.

At least 18 bus routes experienced temporary changes due to NASCAR street closures, which has a disproportionate effect on heavily used South Side routes such as King Drive, Cottage Grove and Jeffery Jump. Passengers on those routes face significantly longer rides to and from downtown. All those extra buses on and near State Street create delays on streets where those buses are rerouted, affecting many additional bus routes.

Lane restrictions and delays on DuSable Lake Shore Drive make it harder for people who need to travel along the lakefront. Detoured car traffic has a major impact on State Street and adjacent streets. Too many people have their transportation disrupted and face significant delays and added stress due to NASCAR street closures. People are deprived of being able to use Grant Park for weeks of prime summer weather.

Crippling our downtown transportation network and access to the Museum Campus and Art Institute at peak tourist season makes no sense. Three years has been more than enough. No more NASCAR!

— Anne Alt, Chicago

The additional costs

Regarding last weekend’s NASCAR event, no one has commented on the environmental impact from what took place. Air quality downtown, already contaminated, is further damaged by the exhaust from the racing cars. Furthermore, do hotels and restaurants prosper while the city’s budgetary problems receive no help from this?

Also, in my opinion, this isn’t “entertainment” like musical presentations held in Grant Park.

— Fred J. Wittenberg, Evanston

Let 27th Ward vote

Ald. Walter Burnett has served the 27th Ward and the city of Chicago with distinction for about three decades. His leadership played a key role in the growth of the West Loop and in expanding affordable housing across the ward. If he steps into a new leadership role at the Chicago Housing Authority, it would mark the end of an era.

No one questions Burnett’s impact on this city. That’s what makes the reported push to install a successor — rather than let the voters decide — all the more disappointing. As recently confirmed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, he is actively considering Burnett for the CHA post, which would create a vacancy in the 27th Ward.

Chicagoans have seen how public trust can erode when political transitions are shaped by behind-the-scenes appointments instead of open elections. At a time when democracy feels fragile — nationally and locally — we should resist any appearance of political favoritism or nepotism, no matter who is involved.

This isn’t about any one family, community or individual. It’s about making sure the public — not political insiders — decides who represents them. If either of Burnett’s sons wishes to serve, they should absolutely be encouraged to run. But they should earn that seat the same way their father did: by winning the support of the voters, not by being installed to serve a mayor’s political agenda before the people have a chance to speak. We saw that with the appointment process in the 35th Ward.

Chicago has a chance to model democratic leadership — but that starts with letting the people of the 27th Ward choose their next alderman, not allowing City Hall to decide for them.

— Danny Goldberg, Chicago

Better for everyone

I have lived in Chicago just a year, having moved here from another state. My review is that this city is both wonderful and horrible. I cannot watch the news anymore to hear who was been shot the night before — every day. About the causes, figure it out and correct it, or at least tell me about positive things making a difference. Hearing about another Chicago politician going to prison for corruption would bring smiles in the state where I lived while we would shake our heads

On the wonderful side of this city, I love the diversity, I love the beauty, I love the people who are helpful and friendly, I read the Tribune every day and like the letters, and so much more. I love being here and want things to be better for everyone.

— Marilyn Sisk, Chicago

Aldermen out of touch

The June 29 editorial “Why Chicago has a restaurant crisis” is a fantastic piece with great timing. I directly oversee the sourcing, purchasing, distribution and sale of more than 250 million pounds of perishable food service products annually for a food service/retail company serving a customer base of 95% independent operators. Every single day, just like our customers, cost impact is reviewed, and outcome scenarios are simulated.

It should be expected that our elected officials have the diligence and capacity to do the same. These shallow policies and the sweeping support thereof further validate that the City Council is flooded with officials who have never set eyes on a balance sheet and believe that businesses are funded by magic.

— Kevin Provost, Chicago

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

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Motorsports

Tire issues deflate Penske chances at second Brickyard 400 win

SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Team Penske left Indianapolis Motor Speedway deflated again as tire issues stood between them and kissing the bricks after Sunday’s Brickyard 400. Credit: INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 27: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup […]

Published

5 hours ago

July 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Team Penske left Indianapolis Motor Speedway deflated again as tire issues stood between them and kissing the bricks after Sunday’s Brickyard 400.

Credit: INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 27: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The last time Roger Penske’s race team took on the track he owns, they had to fend off allegations of cheating ahead of the Indianapolis 500 in May.

Two months later, Penske’s three NASCAR Cup Series drivers put themselves in position to win Sunday’s Brickyard 400 – but could only get a seventh-place finish at best when the checkered flag flew.

Austin Cindric looked to change his family’s fortunes at Indy after the Indianapolis 500 scandal cost his father the job of being president of Team Penske. As the second stage unfolded on lap 83, Cindric had led (what became a race-high) 40 laps and looked to have race winning speed.

Unfortunately for Cindric, his tire also decided to unfold.

On lap 84, he limped around the track after blowing a tire on the frontstretch. While he came back to finish on the lead lap, he only had a 15th-place finish to show for it – and no stage points.

The next driver who appeared to be in the driver seat to win was Joey Logano.

Logano’s No. 22 car didn’t appear to be a contender for most of the race, but did manage to finish eighth in stage two.

After the green-flag pit cycle in the final stage, crew chief Paul Wolfe’s calculations showed themselves flawlessly – as Logano cycled to the prospective lead ahead of Bubba Wallace.

The excitement of potentially stealing a crown jewel victory was short-lived, however. Logano blew a tire, taking him out of contention – in 32nd.

It’s fitting that on a cloudy day in Indy, Ryan Blaney’s highlighter yellow Menards car was the brightest part of Penske’s day.

Blaney started 24th but built toward having a top-10 car. On an alternate strategy, he snagged a valuable playoff point for winning stage two.

Toward the end, he stayed out longer than almost anyone else, hoping for a caution to get him in prime contention to win.

However, when it became evident the win was no longer feasible, Blaney pitted. Thankfully for him, that put him in the perfect place to not have to pit again when the race went into double overtime.

Ultimately, Blaney climbed back inside the top-10 to finish seventh.

“Yeah, we pieced together a good day,” Blaney said. “Starting towards the back, it’s just hard to make up ground and pass, so we were trying to do the best job of strategy that we could. We made good moves to win the stage. I knew we were going to pay the price for it, but it was hard to give it up and nice when you’re able to hang on like that. We just scratched and clawed.

“It was a day where we weren’t the best but we made something happen and those are the days that we should be proud of.”

Penske’s 2018 triumph with Brad Keselowski will still stand as their only Brickyard 400 win, at least until 2026.

In the meantime, Blaney, Logano, Keselowski, Cindric and the entire NASCAR Cup Series field will now head to Iowa Speedway where Blaney won last year. The Iowa Corn 350 is scheduled to go green Aug. 3, at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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Motorsports

Kris Wright makes NASCAR career announcement – Motorsport – Sports

Kris Wright is already back in the ARCA Menards Series after signing a deal with Venturini Motorsports for three starts, marking a key reset after his NASCAR Xfinity Series stint came to a sudden end. Venturini announced on July 28 that Wright would return to the team for races at Iowa Speedway, Watkins Glen International […]

Published

5 hours ago

July 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Venturini announced on July 28 that Wright would return to the team for races at Iowa Speedway, Watkins Glen International and Kansas Speedway, providing a mix of short track, road course, and intermediate oval competition. The announcement came less than two weeks after Wright’s former team, Our Motorsports, officially shut down its Xfinity Series operation.

“Venturini Motorsports runs a top-notch program, and I’m excited to be back with them this season,” Wright said. “The combination of Iowa, Watkins Glen, and Kansas gives me a great variety of tracks, and I’m confident we can go out and compete for wins.”

Wright previously ran full-time with Venturini in 2024, logging eight top fives and 12 top tens across 20 ARCA starts. He finished third behind champion Andres Perez de Lara and rookie Lavar Scott in ARCA’s national driver championship point standings.

He’ll now look to recapture that form after a challenging Xfinity season that produced just one top 10 in 18 races when he finished 9th at Martinsville Speedway after starting the race from grid position 30. Wright was 30th in the Xfinity Series standings before Our Motorsports decided to close down.

The team’s official statement confirmed it would “cease operations in NASCAR racing moving forward,” after six years. They revealed that Wright was released after Sonoma on July 15, and Kaz Grala was named his replacement.

“Our Motorsports will cease operations in NASCAR racing moving forward. Thank you to NASCAR, Chevrolet, the fans, employees, and drivers, for a good ride over the last 6 years,” read the release.

The move shocked racing fans, especially after Wright was named the full-time driver of Our Motorsports’ No. 5 Chevrolet in November 2024, taking over from Anthony Alfredo. Wright’s Xfinity results outside of Martinsville were steady in the 20s and 30s, including a 29th-place finish at Sonoma in what turned out to be his final race for the team.

DON’T MISS

Wright began his Xfinity run on the wrong foot during the United Rentals 300 after a crash at Daytona International Speedway caused a last-place finish on opening day. The driver missed a braking cue that caused him to plow into the traffic in front of him, later saying he lost control of his brakes during the incident.

“We had a breaking issue on pit row the stop before, and we were planning on getting the brakes a little bit sooner, getting out of turn four, coming to turn four,” Wright explained. “It was unfortunate the way it happened.”

The Venturini reunion offers a fresh start with a familiar team. His last ARCA appearance came at Toledo, where he finished 3rd before making the full-time leap to Xfinity. With his three scheduled starts, Wright will return to Watkins Glen (where he previously finished 4th), Iowa, and Kansas, which is expected to be his final start of 2025.

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Motorsports

Katherine Legge forces NASCAR critics to eat their words – Motorsport – Sports

Katherine Legge is starting to find her feet in the NASCAR Cup Series. The 45-year-old Brit recorded a second top-20 finish in four weeks, earning praise from stock car legend Mark Martin. In 2025, Legge is competing in Cup and Xfinity Series races, and she has shaken off poor starts in both. In her Cup […]

Published

7 hours ago

July 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Katherine Legge is starting to find her feet in the NASCAR Cup Series. The 45-year-old Brit recorded a second top-20 finish in four weeks, earning praise from stock car legend Mark Martin.

In 2025, Legge is competing in Cup and Xfinity Series races, and she has shaken off poor starts in both. In her Cup debut in Phoenix earlier this year, Legge suffered an early spin before colliding with Daniel Suarez later in the race.

She failed to qualify for two Xfinity races and hasn’t finished in the top 30. However, in the last three race weekends, Legge finished 19th in the Cup race in Chicago, followed by 31st at Sonoma and then 17th in Indianapolis, proving her critics wrong after coming under fire earlier this season when NASCAR was questioned over its approval process.

Legge’s 17th-place finish set a new non-superspeedway best finish for Live Fast Motorsports, making the most out of her time in the No. 78, earning praise from NASCAR legend Martin and fans. “Very impressive,” Martin said on social media platform X, reacting to car cam footage.

“I also think we need to recognize @katherinelegge with a 17th place finish with @teamlivefast, I think we can all agree that’s making the most out of the equipment you’re in!” another fan said.

“Katherine Legge just set a new non-superspeedway best finish for live fast motorsports with 17th today after tying their best in Chicago, btw. It’s time for NASCAR fans to give her the respect she deserves,” another tweeted.

Legge has been subject to abuse and sexism this year, all of which she has ignored and persevered. “It doesn’t bother me because I’m thick skinned,” she told the Daily Mail. “I’ve been the only girl in racing for two decades.

“I know that people like Bubba [Wallace], and Denny [Hamlin], and Joey [Logano], and all those guys get the same thing. I think the difference is just with some of the ones that I got, they were very directed at my appearance on my body or my sexuality… It was amazing to me what makes people think these things up.”

“We did that podcast episode and we commented on it and we brought it to light because whilst I might be thick skinned enough that it’s like water off a duck’s back, I don’t know that if I was me 20 years ago, whether it would have been the same thing, right?,” Legge added.

DON’T MISS:

“I don’t know whether the girls coming up through, maybe that’s a barrier to them because it’s a lot. I just think that it’s a factor of social media today, which I didn’t necessarily have when I was first starting out, so I didn’t get to see or experience of that.

“But this generation, I don’t know whether they’re hardened to it or whether it is something that bothers them and gets under their skin. I mean, it’s a form of bullying at the end of the day, and I think that it’s unacceptable.

“The fact people are anonymous and behind a keyboard makes them think that it’s okay to type this stuff. But I can tell you not one person has said it to my face. So I think it’s worth calling out.”

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Motorsports

Big Game Motorsports and Gravel Victorious at Weedsport Speedway for Fifth Straight Season – Speedway Digest

Big Game Motorsports wrapped up the month of July with a strong week in the Northeast. While Mother Nature wiped out the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series doubleheader at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., David Gravel and the team garnered a runner-up result on Wednesday at BAPS Motor Speedway in […]

Published

8 hours ago

July 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Big Game Motorsports wrapped up the month of July with a strong week in the Northeast.

While Mother Nature wiped out the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series doubleheader at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., David Gravel and the team garnered a runner-up result on Wednesday at BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, Pa., before capturing a World of Outlaws win at Weedsport Speedway on Sunday for the fifth straight year.

“You just never know,” Gravel said in a post-race interview on DIRTVision. “The pace gets so slow. They did track work, had the tiller out, and they haven’t done that all night. So, I just didn’t know if the top was going to be the place to be or not. We had a lot of aggressive guys behind us, so you know they were going to try it. I saw Cole (Macedo) in (turns) one and two those first couple laps, but other than that I didn’t really see him.”

Gravel dominated the night at Weedsport Speedway, setting quick time in his group’s qualifying session before winning a heat race, the dash and the main event. His margin of victory in the feature was 6.120 seconds.

The team was also strong throughout the program at BAPS Motor Speedway, where Gravel was quickest in his group during time trials. He won a heat race and the dash to garner the pole position for the A Main. Gravel led the first six laps before dropping to second on a restart on Lap 7.

“I just didn’t know where to run on the restart there and protected, but should’ve protected a little bit more, but I ran the top,” Gravel said in a post-race interview on DIRTVision. “(Anthony) Macri got by me. I kind of did the same thing to him the next restart. I was able to slide him. I took too long to slide across and about stopped at the cushion, so he got back underneath me, and they did a great job in traffic.”

Gravel holds a 182-point lead in the World of Outlaws championship standings entering the Ironman 55 this Friday and Saturday at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park in Pevely, Mo.

QUICK RESULTS –

July 23 – BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, Pa. – Qualifying: 1; Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 1 (2); Feature: 2 (1).

July 27 – Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y. – Qualifying: 1; Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 1 (1); Feature: 1 (1).

SEASON STATS –

47 races, 11 wins, 38 top fives, 44 top 10s, 44 top 15s, 44 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Friday and Saturday at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park in Pevely, Mo., for the Ironman 55 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series

ILP PR

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Motorsports

NASCAR Today: Bubba Wallace stuns at the Brickyard as disqualified driver set to appeal

23XI star Bubba Wallace put on a stunning display at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday night, snapping a 100-race winless streak to lock himself into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. ➡️ READ MORE NASCAR driver DISQUALIFIED at Indianapolis reveals official protest plan After being disqualified in Indianapolis, as NASCAR driver has confirmed he and his […]

Published

8 hours ago

July 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

23XI star Bubba Wallace put on a stunning display at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday night, snapping a 100-race winless streak to lock himself into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

➡️ READ MORE

NASCAR driver DISQUALIFIED at Indianapolis reveals official protest plan

After being disqualified in Indianapolis, as NASCAR driver has confirmed he and his team are set to appeal.

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NASCAR announce five drivers DEMOTED at Indianapolis including Denny Hamlin

Five NASCAR drivers were dealt significant setbacks ahead of Sunday’s race at IMS.

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NASCAR driver facing race BAN after Indianapolis incident

A NASCAR driver could be set for a race ban after accusations of intentionally wrecking a rival at IMS.

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Kyle Busch touted for series switch as potential NASCAR ban looms

Kyle Busch has been suggested as a potential option for an exciting opportunity.

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Motorsports

Kris Wright Signs Multi-Race Deal With Top ARCA Team

What’s Happening? Former Xfinity Series driver Kris Wright has found a home for the rest of the 2025 racing season. He has signed a three-race ARCA Menards Series contract to drive a car “prepared” by Venturini Motorsports. Wright’s return to Venturini begins this weekend at the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway on Friday evening. He will get […]

Published

8 hours ago

July 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

What’s Happening?

Former Xfinity Series driver Kris Wright has found a home for the rest of the 2025 racing season. He has signed a three-race ARCA Menards Series contract to drive a car “prepared” by Venturini Motorsports.

Wright’s return to Venturini begins this weekend at the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway on Friday evening. He will get back behind the wheel on Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen, then round out his duties on Sept. 26 at Kansas Speedway for the series season finale.
Wright returns to the ARCA Menards Series after a short stint driving full-time for the now-shuttered Our Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season. During his starts, Wright had a best finish of ninth at Martinsville and a 27.4 average finish. Despite his poor on-track performance with the Chevrolet team, the news managed to find Wright throughout his 18-race schedule, including run-ins with Josh Bilicki and Justin Allgaier.
His season came to an early end after the Sonoma race weekend, when Our removed him from the entry list for Dover, replacing him with Kaz Grala. The team announced later that week that all operations would cease after the race weekend at Dover. At the time, Wright claimed that the two parties had agreed to part ways.
Wright has 35 career starts in the AMS, including 22 starts under the Venturini banner. In those starts with Venturini, Wright has 13 of his career 21 top-ten finishes and all eight of his career top-five finishes. In 2024, racing full-time with the Toyota outfit, Wright finished third of eight competitors to enter all 20 races.

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