Natalia Chi
Officials from the two famous circuits have dubbed this year ‘Chicago’s racing summer’ and were in town this week to promote their respective events.
NASCAR will host its first-ever city-based road race in Chicago later this summer, and the Sail Grand Prix will take place off Navy Pier in June.
Sails Grand Prix’s Todd Reynolds said, “It’s an adrenaline-pumping race in a 50-foot foil catamaran that flies over the water at highway speeds and by force of nature alone.” “Sail GP will travel the world and race in iconic venues such as Bermuda, Copenhagen, St Tropez, Dubai, Singapore and Sydney.”
For the second year in a row, the international sailing competition will be held at Navy Pier.
“The course is a little tighter, so you get a little bit more traffic with other boats. It’s hard to predict,” said Sail GP competitor Cooper Dressler.
Similar to last year’s course, the catamaran will race from Navy Pier to the museum campus through the seawall, then lap like a NASCAR driver and back.
“It’s very similar to that because you don’t just have fans watching on land, you just surround the racecourse with spectators in boats,” Dressler said.
The Sail GP will be raced on Lake Michigan on June 16th and 17th. The NASCAR driver will race his July 1st and his 2nd through downtown Chicago on a 12-turn, 2.5-mile course around Grant Park.
“I think the drivers are incredibly excited,” said NASCAR Chicago Street Race President Julie Geese. “To win a first in NASCAR history is incredibly special.” rice field.
It will be NASCAR’s first street race and is part of a three-year deal signed with former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot.
“Our commitment remains unchanged. We are committed to being a good partner to the city and the community. said.
Sail GP has not yet announced whether it plans to race again in Chicago next year.
