NASCAR: Despite 900 extra police Chicago race had major breach
NASCAR hired an additional private security fleet for the smooth running of its Chicago Street Course races. Even with the vast security measures in place, reports of multiple breaches exposed a substantial security lapse.
But hey, this is Chicago, the crime capital of the USA.
Four Leaf Productions security firm partnered up with NASCAR to provide extra security detail for its Chicago endeavors. With two decades of experience in the security field, the firm provided 900 guards to secure the Chicago Street Course’s 2.14-mile-long perimeter. Police officers even canceled their day off to provide support at the circuit.
Reports of multiple unauthorized track breaches at the Chicago circuit exposed a major security lapse at NASCAR’s inaugural street race. Taking to Twitter, WindyCity Weather and News revealed the chatter on the Chicago police scanners. Saturday’s late hours witnessed a report of an unauthorized vehicle on the street circuit at Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt popped up. Shortly after, there were reports of over 20 reckless drivers near Columbus and Balbo.
#NASCARChicago #ChicagoScanner #Chicago
Additional calls
Reckless drivers, on the racecourse, maybe up to 20 of them
Columbus and Balbo
Per NASCAR race officials
— WindyCity Weather and News (@WindyCityWxMan) July 2, 2023
Following the reports, a van drove through Gate 4. It was speculated that the cars were gaining access to the street circuit from the pedestrian underpass behind Field Museum. These breaches exposed major negligence on NASCAR’s security end, raising a plethora of questions. Was NASCAR’s Chicago security measure a bust?
Charges are pending against a man who allegedly drove onto the NASCAR Chicago Street Race course on Saturday night after the day’s second race was canceled early due to bad weather.
How the 46-year-old was able to get access to the race course about 9 p.m. wasn’t immediately clear, Chicago police said.
A bright yellow Corvette with red flame details could be seen stopped near Michigan Avenue and Balboa Drive after the unauthorized car was reported on the course.
Officers appeared to question two men and the car was seen driving off the course with a police escort about 9:30 p.m.
AND: At around 9:01 p.m., a 46-year-old man was taken into custody in the 1200 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive after driving on the track, which he is believed to have accessed by breaking through a barrier, authorities said.
— NBC Chicago —
With the news quickly spreading on Twitter, fans filled up the comments trolling NASCAR. Some fans commented, “And….we are supposed to be surprised by this?”
“I watched some of the qualifying on TV and saw these drivers doing like 100MPH on DSLD and said, “That’s the best you can do?” Obviously, others had the same thought.”
“Wait until a couple NASCAR drivers get carjacked tomorrow on pit row, that will be classic Chicago.,” said another.