Miranda Lambert, The Chainsmokers to headline NASCAR Chicago Street Race this summer
CHICAGO - NASCAR announced on Wednesday that two high-profile music artists would be performing full-length concerts for its first ever Cup Series street race being held this summer in downtown Chicago.
"The Chicago Street Race is truly a first-of-its-kind two-day sports and entertainment event in the 75-year history of NASCAR," Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese said in a statement.
The headlining performers to take the stage over the Fourth of July weekend are The Chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert. They will be supported by The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett.
"We are proud to welcome superstars The Chainsmokers, Miranda Lambert, The Black Crowes, and Charley Crockett as we reimagine the NASCAR experience in the heart of downtown Chicago over Fourth of July weekend," Giese said.
The two-day event will take place in and around Grant Park on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2.
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The 12-turn, 2.2 mile street race will send cars at 200 miles per hour past some of the city’s most notable landmarks.
"I can't think of a better city, a more iconic city, when you think about July 4th weekend, the lake, the skyline, the museums, that view," said Giese.
The race, however, is only part of the experience.
On July 1, The Black Crowes will open the day and The Chainsmokers will close it out.
On July 2, Charley Crockett will open with Miranda Lambert headlining before the Chicago Street Race zooms off.
Giese shared the details with an audience at the University Club on Wednesday.
"We are committed to being a good resident," said Giese. "We’ve set up an office, we are here 365 days a year, we have a staff that is solely dedicated to the Chicago street race and making sure we put the best foot forward, not only for NASCAR but for the city of Chicago and for all of you."
Still, not everyone is rooting for the race.
Critics have raised concerns over the two-week time frame NASCAR will have control of Grant Park, which currently includes nine days of set-up and three days of tear-down.
In a statement to FOX 32 Chicago on Wednesday, a NASCAR spokesman said, "maintaining as much public access as possible to Grant Park during set-up and tear-down for the race is a priority, and areas such as Buckingham Fountain, Butler Field and Lower Hutchinson Field will remain accessible for much of this time."
"Most areas of the park won’t be temporarily closed to residents until Wednesday, June 28 and will re-open as early as the morning of Tuesday, July," the statement continued. "The majority of the streets used for the race will remain open and accessible until June 28, and will re-open as early as the morning of July 3."
Those opposed to Chicago hosting the race have also raised questions of who will cover the costs of added security and any potential damage caused, and just how lucrative the two-day event will end up being for the city.
Two-day general admission tickets starting at $269 will go on sale to the public on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. The most expensive packages will cost race-goers more than $4,000.
More information can be found at NASCARChicago.com.