NASCAR News: Chicago newspaper pans NASCAR street race

Chicago Daily Herald columnist Jim O’Donnell refers to the NASCAR Chicago street race as “grossly gone-from-Carolina NASCAR races,” and says that the event is a “disruptive spectacles that Chicago needs like a Chuck E. Cheese Exhibit at The Art Institute.”

He goes on to say “On Saturday, USA Network will get the bubbas running with the junior-varsity Loop 110. Sunday, NBC swoops in to present The Chicago Grant Park 220, which is a lower figure than the number of people who rioted when Sly Stone didn’t show for a free concert at the historic green space back in 1970.

“Last year’s inaugural Chicago main event — the 220 — flirted with disaster. The start was delayed an hour because of weather, and then darkness forced it to be shortened from 100 laps to 75.

“In the end, Shane van Gisbergen – a New Zealander 10,000 spark plugs from home — won and immediately qualified as a $2,000 response on “Jeopardy Lite!”.

“His average speed: A positively pedestrian 60.2 mph on the streets of Chicago. These days, low loud riders make it through drive-up lanes at Raising Cane’s faster.”

Competition Map

Of note:

Spotter Locations – There are three designated locations, each denoted by the ‘S’ symbol outlined in yellow in the map.

Restart Zone – Like last year, the restart zone will be located prior to Turn 12.

One To Go Location – The field will be given the ‘one to go’ at Turn 5. Last year, this location was in Turn 7.

Choose V – The Choose V will be at the entry of Turn 6. Last year, this location was in Turn 9.

Stay In Lane Line – Located at the start of the ‘frontstretch’, drivers must stay in their lane until they cross this line.