With the second NASCAR Chicago Street Race just over a month away, fans can get an inside look into racing at the NASCAR Street Race Experience, opening Friday at the Chicago History Museum.
This pop-up exhibit offers Chicagoans a preview of the July race weekend, featuring simulators, race cars, and NASCAR memorabilia. The exhibit has transformed the Old Town museum into a showcase of Chicago’s rich auto racing history, highlighting NASCAR’s past and present.
Although Chicago may not immediately come to mind when thinking of NASCAR, the city boasts a significant history with auto racing. “The first automobile race in the U.S. was in Chicago in 1895, so there’s a lot of tradition,” said local auto racing historian Stan Kalwasinski. According to Chicago historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas, this historic race took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1895, starting in Jackson Park, racing to Evanston, and back, with only a few racers finishing the course.
On Monday, NASCAR will feature racing simulators, allowing attendees to experience the 12-turn street course while learning about the event’s significance.
The exhibit is included with museum admission and will be open through race weekend, concluding on July 7.