One of the ambitious projects of NASCAR is finally coming to a realization on July 1st and 2nd. The majestic cityscapes of Chicago have paved the way for the rumblings of the V-8 engines to speed through the unpolished asphalt of the city and commemorate the 75 years of NASCAR. 

The Chicago Street Race was not an overnight project but was conceived a year back and after numerous meetings and endless tribulations, the inaugural race is roaring to life on Sunday. But before the fans can thank the drivers for putting up a brave fight on an unknown track, the one person who deserves a bit more credit than anyone else is Julie Giese. 

Even Kyle Larson’s crew chief Cliff Daniel couldn’t be more appreciative of the initiator of the project, as he revealed it to Mike Bagley on the latest episode of MRN Crew Call. 

Cliff Daniels Gives Credit to the Person Who Made the Race at Chicago a Possibility

The idea of creating a 2.14-mile street track was hatched back in 2022 after Mayor Lori Lightfoot signed a deal with NASCAR on a three-year agreement, to transform the bustling streets of the city into a racetrack. And to make the dream come to life, Julie Giese was appointed as the President of the Chicago race. But this was not the first time this wonder woman looked after a multi-million project of NASCAR.

Nevertheless, if this project succeeds, NASCAR fans can brace themselves, as the authorities might venture out into unchartered parts of the country and make the sport more exclusive in nature. Even Cliff Daniels, the crew chief of Kyle Larson, accepts the fact.

Speaking to Mike Bagley on the future possibilities of venturing out in the country, Daniels shared, “If this goes off, well think of all of the other venues that we can take this format. It just opens up many more opportunities. We will see where it goes, Julie has done such a great job.”

To this Bagley added, “If I have a project to do and budget is not a factor, she is the first person I am going after.”

Moreover, the HMS crew chief added, “I think she ran the Daytona Rising program and then she ran the Rebuild at Phoenix which is phenomenal. If you come to Phoenix like at dusk, it’s phenomenal. And now she is doing the Program up here. I heard the stat this week, that 82% of the ticket sales are first-time attenders, never been to a NASCAR race. 4 different concerts, a whole park themed, that’s a lot of opportunities here. This is really gonna be cool.”

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Former HMS Crew Chief Reveals the Possible Roadblock That Could Lie Ahead for the Drivers in Chicago

An estimated footfall of 100,000 is expected on the race day even though NASCAR has marked its base ticket at an exorbitant price of $269. The tickets to the paddock club can go up to $3,015 looking over the start-finish line near Buckingham Fountain.

But there are certain roadblocks that NASCAR insiders have brought forth regarding driving in the closed lanes and with numerous 90-degree angle turns on the track. Even the former crew chief of Hendrick Motorsports, Steve Letarte, had exclaimed that the race will be chaotic in nature. 

He revealed, “I think we’re gonna have a big moment in this race. I think everyone’s going to start like this is narrow and the walls are close. We’re going to be real nice, and we’re going to do this, and we’re going to do that. We’re going to get through a couple of stages and then somewhere with 15 to go, somebody is going to be out on older tires, somebody on newer tires going to be running down.”

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With everything said and done, the most anticipated race of the year is just hours away. Who are you rooting for in the potentially memorable race?