2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race: Live updates as race weekend wraps up in Grant Park

Podcaster Andrew Kurland joined ABC7 live on Sunday morning as the city gets read for the NASCAR Cup Series race.

Podcaster Andrew Kurland joined ABC7 live on Sunday morning as the city gets read for the NASCAR Cup Series race.

"This is a unique thing. NASCAR doesn't race on the streets outside of Chicago," Kurland said. "This is a new challenge for the drivers that you don't get anywhere else in the NASCAR schedule."

Kurland, who was born in Chicago and raised in Glenview, talked about what it is like seeing a NASCAR race in his hometown

"It's so cool. I've been on field trips here," Kurland said. "This is my favorite thing in the world."

ABC7's Stephanie Wade spoke with Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese on Sunday morning ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series race.

ABC7's Stephanie Wade spoke with Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese on Sunday morning ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series race.

Shane van Gisbergen, who won the Cup Series in Chicago last year and raced to his third Xfinity Series victory of the season on Saturday, will compete again Sunday.

"It was his first NASCAR win," Giese said of last year's Cup Series. "He took home the victory yesterday. He will be competing again today, so we'll see how he does."

Downtown Chicago is gearing up for Sunday afternoon's NASCAR Cup Series race after a successful NASCAR Xfinity Series race Saturday.

Drivers will hit the track at 3:30 p.m. to take their shot at the challenging track. It's a 75-lap course around Chicago's Loop.

Cars will reach speeds of up to 100 mph on the fast straightaways. With lots of twists and turns, drivers told ABC7's Stephanie Wade it is much more difficult to navigate versus the typical donut-sized tracks normally seen in NASCAR.

Entry gates and NASCAR Village at Butler Field open at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Big name headliners like Keith Urban and Lauren Alaina will also perform Sunday

Day 1 is now wrapping up and it seems to be an overwhelming success. It's been quite the comeback for NASCAR after all the weather issues from last year. Everyone ABC7 talked to Saturday has been very impressed with the entire experience.

NASCAR's street race has taken over Chicago, with cars topping 100 miles per hour and beautiful views pleasing fans across the city.

"I'm so excited I just hear the engines going right now, and it's like 'woo!'" NASCAR rookie Kay Lewis said.

Many people came in from different states or countries to take in the action, some watching NASCAR for the first time.

"The race in the city is wonderful everything is cool ... close to Michigan lake... the cars are awesome... the first turn is the best," Canadian fan Sylvain Simard said.

Saturday's action on the streets included a 50-lap race in The Loop 110 NASCAR Xfinity Series.

There was also a unique freestyle motor cross event, showcasing riders in the air performing tricks. There was of course plenty of live entertainment, with Buddy Guy, The Black Keys and The Chainsmokers headlining Saturday's music in Grant Park.

More action is in store Sunday with the main event Cup Series, where drivers will take on 75 laps. It's bringing a special excitement to Chicago as people are hoping NASCAR will keep returning to the city.

"I think it brings people from all walks of life together... both Chicagoans and the rest of the country... we could use that right now," said Michelle Prifer, who is visiting from Michigan.

Sunday's NASCAR cup series will start around 3 p.m. There is also a lot of excitement for the live entertainment scheduled as Keith Urban will bring in some big crowds at 1 p.m.