Chicago City Wire

Race cars will be zipping through the Windy City next summer, as NASCAR announced it would be headed to downtown Chicago for a street race during Fourth of July weekend in 2023. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) shared the news of the Chicago Street Race Weekend on Twitter.

"Chicago couldn't miss the opportunity to bring such an iconic team to town," Lightfoot wrote in a July 19 tweet. "Thank you to @NASCAR and everyone involved in securing this partnership. We're excited for July 2023!"

A Twitter account for NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend wrote the event is being held in partnership with the IMSA and will take place July 1-2 of next year. 

"Chicago's streets are as iconic as our skyline and our reputation as a world-class sports city is indisputable," Lightfoot wrote in another tweet. "I am thrilled to welcome our partners @NASCAR for an event that will attract thousands of people to our great city. Chicago's world-class entertainment and hospitality industries, coupled with our city's history as a conduit for sports talent, make us the perfect hosts for this unique event."

Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing development and strategy, told NBC Sports Chicago the organization "seized an incredible opportunity to add an unprecedented element to our schedule and take center stage in the heart of another major metropolitan market." Kennedy called it an "ideal setting" for the first NASCAR Cup Series street race. It'll be the first time in four years NASCAR has hosted an event in Chicago.

The announcement comes as officials have been having problems with illegal street racing. Block Club Chicago reported that in response, City Council members have proposed an ordinance to give Chicago Police officers more power to impound cars used in drag races.