The Chicago NASCAR Street Race is approaching the final year of its current agreement, stirring debates among fans and drivers about its future. As the city weighs a renewal, some notable voices, including NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar, have advocated for the possible return of the Chicagoland Speedway, which hosted races until 2019 before being replaced by the $50 million street event. The ongoing Carson Hocevar Chicago race debate centers on whether the traditional oval track or the costly street race better serves the sport and its followers.

During the inaugural Chicago Street Race in 2023, pole sitter Denny Hamlin expressed strong support for the event remaining in the city.

“I mean, I personally would like to see them do everything they can to keep it here. I’d like to see the City rally behind this race,”

Hamlin said, signaling the value he places on the unique urban racing experience. While several drivers appreciate the novelty of racing through Chicago’s city streets, others see flaws and are vocal about restoring Chicagoland Speedway’s role in NASCAR’s Midwest presence.

Carson Hocevar Advocates for Chicagoland Speedway’s Revival

Carson Hocevar, the 22-year-old driver for Spire Motorsports, recently captured fans’ attention by sharing photos from a visit to the dormant Chicagoland Speedway. His social media activity reignited speculation about the track’s comeback, especially as the Chicago Street Race approaches its third edition. When asked if he favored the traditional oval’s return, Hocevar conveyed optimism, stating,

“Yeah, for sure I’d wanna race there. It kinda fits that old Atlanta grip level. You know, it already had a lot less grip, and now it’s probably aged, you know, it’s been six years or whatever. It’s probably aged fifteen, twenty, almost, just sitting there… Hopefully, you know, maybe in the future that track will come back. But it’s cool to see. It’s always neat.”

Despite his enthusiasm for Chicagoland’s potential return, Hocevar displayed mixed feelings about the existing Chicago Street Race. He acknowledged the value of having a street race on the NASCAR calendar but suggested that one such event is sufficient, considering the demanding logistics and costs involved. The Chicago Street Race reportedly costs around $50 million to stage annually and faces ongoing challenges, such as limited visibility for spotters and frequent rainfall that disrupts the event. Hocevar expressed his preference clearly:

“We have a lot of road courses… So, for my racing, it works well that this race exists, even though I’m not the fastest. But I would love to have Chicagoland back because I think we could have a lot better shot showing up to a Chicago area race and winning versus this one. But, yeah, I think this event is super cool. So, the biggest thing for me is… I want to see a street race still on the schedule. But I think one is enough.”

His words highlight a tension between maintaining the spectacle of urban racing and sustaining traditional high-speed oval contests. Hocevar’s preference for Chicagoland is also rooted in his driving strengths. He admits struggling with road courses and street layouts under the current Next-Gen car dynamics, where he finished 24th in the 2024 Chicago Street Race after starting 13th. Conversely, Hocevar recently achieved career-best results on oval tracks similar in grip and style to Chicagoland, exemplified by a runner-up finish at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta earlier in 2025.

“I would love to have Chicagoland back because I think we could have a lot better shot showing up to a Chicago area race and winning versus (the Chicago street course)” —Carson Hocevar, NASCAR driver

Assessing the Viability of the $50 Million Chicago Street Race

The expensive nature of the Chicago Street Race, with its intricate urban setup and logistical hurdles, causes some within the NASCAR community to question its long-term feasibility. Chicagoland Speedway, with its worn yet traditional 1.5-mile oval surface, offers a contrasting style of racing that emphasizes strategic tire wear and pack racing. This format fits well with the current NASCAR Cup Series vehicle package and has historically produced close, exciting competition. The possibility that Chicagoland could resume hosting NASCAR events has gathered support beyond Hocevar.

Ryan Blaney, 2023 Cup Series champion, has also called for Chicagoland Speedway’s return. NASCAR analyst Jeff Gluck reported Blaney’s view:

“I’d like to see it come back, because I think it’d be a great racetrack. It always was.”

This sentiment echoes a broader preference for preserving established race venues that blend tradition, fan experience, and competitive balance.

The Broader Consequences for Chicago’s Motorsports Scene

Carson Hocevar’s advocacy for the oval’s revival reflects a wider conversation about NASCAR’s identity in Chicago’s racing landscape. The debut of the Chicago Street Race energized motorsports enthusiasts and attracted fresh audiences to NASCAR’s urban spectacle, but its novelty and operational demands have raised questions about sustaining the event. Some fans enjoy the dramatic backdrop of city streets and distinctive challenges for drivers, while others yearn for the consistency and heritage associated with dedicated racetracks like Chicagoland Speedway.

Chicagoland, once a thriving NASCAR and IndyCar location, now faces an uncertain future as local infrastructure evolves and redevelopment looms. Even so, interest from drivers, public voices, and NASCAR insiders suggests a potential rebirth is possible. Investments and upgrades could allow Chicagoland to anchor NASCAR’s Midwest presence once more, restoring a familiar racing heartbeat to the region.

Hocevar’s candid accessibility and engagement with fans, alongside his reflective stance on racing venues, hint at evolving dynamics where drivers play a larger role in shaping the sport’s direction. His recent visits and public comments keep the conversation about Chicago’s NASCAR future vibrant, bridging the sport’s rich past and its uncertain present.

As discussions continue, the key question remains: is the $50 million Chicago Street Race sustainable, or is it time for NASCAR to bring back Chicagoland Speedway and rejuvenate traditional oval racing in the city’s surroundings? Fans and the racing community await further decisions, ready to weigh in on Chicago’s next chapter in motorsports.