When the Chicago Street Race was announced, it was historic for NASCAR. But at the same time, it attracted a lot of criticism from the fans who considered the race as going away from the roots, the core of the sport. Keeping that in mind, the recent opinion of NASCAR’s most popular driver, Chase Elliott, could perhaps make the fans love him even more.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver recently shared his candid thoughts on the Chicago Street race, and what such races mean for racecar drivers.

However, Elliott also empathized with NASCAR for their attempts and intentions in risking outrage from fans to potentially enter a new market, a new demographic, with races that are more events than high-octane stock car racing competitions.

Chase Elliott, the racecar driver, isn’t a fan of the Chicago Street Race

In a recent interview with Rubbin Is Racing, Elliott candidly described his thoughts and opinion on the much-controversial Chicago race, saying, “Don’t get me wrong, I think that event in Chicago is going to be a great event.

“Is it going to be the most fun thing to drive on from a driver’s perspective? No, probably not. Just like the Coliseum isn’t the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done behind the wheel of a racecar.

“But at the same time, you have to recognize these things for what they are and what we’re trying to accomplish.”

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Elliott understands NASCAR’s intentions for a street course race

After expressing his thoughts as a driver on the subject of races like the Chicago one or the one at the Coliseum, The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion went to reason just why NASCAR is trying to have such races on the calendar.

He added, “You have to be creative and find ways to get into some of these different markets. And even if it’s not the most exciting racetrack for us to drive on, if we’re able to get in a different market and potentially get some new eyeballs, and if it’s you find a 100 extra people are gonna pay attention to the sport throughout the entire season and wanna learn about it, then I think it’s a win.

“I think when you have events in cities like that, just the ease of access, you have a pretty good shot of making it a fun time for the spectators.”

The 2020 Cup champion predicted the Chicago race will be a good spectacle for the viewers as he claimed this year’s Clash will be much like last year’s—a successful event.

“I look at those things as events more so than I do the greatest stock car race,” Elliott concluded.

Also Read: “We’ll Cross That Bridge When I Get Fired” – Chase Elliott Reveals Plan to Follow His Father’s Footsteps