Bubba Wallace event helps kick off NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend, parts of DLSD close

CHICAGO (WLS) -- We're less than a day away from the start of the second NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend, and Grant Park was abuzz with excitement and activity as the final stages of set-up fell into place.

First, new street closures went into effect on Friday ahead of the first race day.

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Beginning at 12:01 a.m., northbound and southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive is closed between Randolph Street and McFetridge Road.

Southbound Michigan Avenue is closed between Roosevelt Road and Jackson Drive.

The northbound lane of Indiana Avenue is closed at 13th Street.

Monroe Street is closed between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

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NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace hosts community event on Near South Side

The motorsport giant says it wants Chicagoans to enjoy the race, and there are many ways to do so.

African American NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, coming off a top 10 finish in Nashville, hosted a road rally in conjunction with Black McDonald's owner/operators on the Near South Side.

"There's no better place to be than Chicago downtown right in the heart of it. just getting people accustomed to what NASCAR's about," he said.

The event also help the American Auto Racing Organization introduce itself to a whole new group of fans, like 12-year-old Ronald Blanchard and his friends.

"It's cool. I like the McDonald's car it's really cool," he said.

"I can see me driving, being in a race car. I like the cars," said Zaire Chapple.

More than 200 kids from neighborhood groups working in the Black, Latino and Asian communities attended the event.

"It means a lot to the kids," said Che Chapple with the Team Legacy Basketball Program. "They've got to see something other than the norm."

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"This is something that people don't necessarily know about or involved in, and maybe feel that they don't have access to, so this is giving accessibility to everyone no matter what color you are," said Chelsea Kuehlhorn, McDonald's owner-operator.

Despite being one of the most popular racing sports in the United States, NASCAR has seen declining attendance and is looking to reinvent itself by addressing economic challenges and perceptions about it being a "white man's sport."

"We're finally getting to the point where we're able to show what we're doing inside, outside and affecting communities in a positive way," said Mamba Smith, NASCAR ambassador.

According to the sport's chief marketing officer, roughly 27% of NASCAR fans are multicultural, a share that's increased over the last 10 years.

NASCAR officials hope their efforts are working, and hope to see even more diverse crowds at the Chicago Street Race.

NASCAR embraces Chicago's rich culture, local scene in this year's event

New street closures are in effect on Friday.

This year, NASCAR is embracing Chicago's food scene by teaming up with Lettuce Entertain You, introducing restaurants like Josephine's and Bronzeville Winery to the mix.

Local restaurants to be featured at NASCAR event

Victor Love with Josephine's Southern Cookingand Mark Rand with North American Concessions partnered with NASCAR to bring together local restaurants to NASCAR Village in Butler Fie

And NASCAR Village at Butler Field is expanding this year. NASCAR is teaming up with Chicago Loop Alliance and JoRand to make sure Chicago's 77 neighborhoods are represented.

"We wanted the NASCAR to come in knowing that Chicago is rich in history and culture where it relates to the diversity of food," said Victor Love with Josephine's Southern Cooking.

There will be restaurants on site, local retailers and interactive NASCAR experiences for everyone to enjoy, ranging from Italian ice and fried chicken to tacos and ice cream.

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Andrew Engle outlined all of the fun available for families inside the NASCAR Kids Zone.

"You can't come to a world-class city like Chicago and not include all the rich cultures and history of what Chicago has to offer," Love said.

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NASCAR says it is on a mission to ensure the community benefits from the races in hopes that folks who have never experienced NASCAR will want to check it out.

"We learned a lot last think this year again, really making sure that this is something for everyone. Youth tickets, kids 12 and under, are free on Saturday. We have that free experience in NASCAR Village of Butler Field," said Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese.

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Butler Field will feature The NASCAR Experience with racing simulators, appearance from NASCAR drivers and NASCAR Cup show car that does live car starts and more.

"Some of the feedback we got was more NASCAR education, more NASCAR 101. So, we'll have our NASCAR experience in there that educates people about sport. We'll have driver appearances, we'll have local performances," Giese said.

NASCAR expanded its footprint, offering options that many communities can take advantage of in 2024.

Single-day general admission tickets to the races start at $150 this year, and there is a free experience option near the track.

Local retailers featured at NASCAR Village

Michael M. Edwards of the Chicago Loop Alliance joined ABC7 to talk about what to expect at NASCAR Village this year.