NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race has received a new $5 million grant from the state of Illinois, taken from the general revenue fund, with no clear explanation of how or why it was added to the state budget.
The money is meant to cover “operating expenses” for the upcoming 2025 event, set to take place July 5-6 in downtown Chicago.
NASCAR’s Chicago Event Receives Surplus Funding in the New State Budget
Governor JB Pritzker signed the budget that included the mysterious $5 million for NASCAR. But when asked, he said he didn’t know why that amount was included. The funding was first revealed in a Chicago Tribune report on the new state budget. Sports journalist Adam Stern shared the news on X, quoting Pritzker about the lack of clarity. He wrote:
“NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race received a new $5 million allocation from the state’s general revenue fund for ‘costs associated with operating expenses.’…[Gov. JB] Pritzker said he couldn’t speak to why $5 million was put in the budget.”
So far, the state budget has two grants already tied to the Chicago Street Race. One includes $2 million for work from last year, like delivering tires, setting up barriers, and staffing. Another $5 million is marked as “bonded capital,” including $2.5 million already being processed for new barriers. The other $2.5 million hasn’t been released yet.
The state has also used tourism funds to promote races, including the “Enjoy Illinois 300” in Madison, Ill., and events at Chicagoland Speedway.
This new funding comes even as questions linger about the costs of races in previous years. In 2023, the city of Chicago spent nearly $4 million to host the inaugural street race but received just $620,000 back in direct payments from NASCAR. Several city leaders have criticized that gap, saying the deal doesn’t benefit the city enough.
A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said NASCAR will submit receipts after the 2025 race, and the department will review them before releasing the funds. NASCAR also confirmed this process.
“NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race received a new $5 million allocation from the state’s general revenue fund for ‘costs associated with operating expenses.’…[Gov. JB] Pritzker said he couldn’t speak to why $5 million was put in the budget.” – @ChicagoTribune https://t.co/VRZmoxmgI7
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 18, 2025
The 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race will return for its third running on the weekend after Independence Day, with the event once again shutting down major streets in the downtown area for two days of racing and entertainment.
NASCAR Is Making Some Major Changes for the 2025 Chicago Street Race
The third edition of the race, set for July 5-6 around Grant Park, will feature a shorter setup time, cheaper tickets, and new viewing options.
This year, NASCAR and the city worked together to cut the build-out time for the street course. It will now take only 25 days to set up the track, 13 days fewer than last year. Officials say this will help reduce disruptions in the downtown area.
Plus, the lower ticket prices are bound to be attractive. NASCAR has dropped some ticket prices by nearly 50% in select areas. There’s also a new option to buy single-day reserved seats, and more Grounds Pass areas have been added to make it easier for new fans to attend.
Families with kids will also benefit; children 12 and under can get in for free all weekend if they’re with an adult who has a Grounds Pass. NASCAR has also changed the seating structures along the course to improve the experience for fans and reduce the impact on the city.
These adjustments will help shorten the overall time needed to build and take down the event setup, which should make things easier for nearby residents and businesses. However, fans can look forward to more than just racing.
Country group Zac Brown Band will perform live on Saturday, July 5, as part of the Busch Light Summer Music Series. NASCAR will announce the full entertainment lineup soon.
