Dale Earnhardt Jr., the iconic NASCAR driver turned analyst, let slip during a recent appearance on a motorsport podcast that the 2027 calendar could feature both Chicagoland Speedway and the Chicago Street Course, a prospect that has set the racing community abuzz.
The 1.5‑mile oval in Joliet, Illinois, last saw a NASCAR race in 2019, and its upcoming weekend marks the first event since that season, reigniting nostalgia among fans who have long advocated for the track’s return.
In 2023 the series introduced a downtown street race that temporarily supplanted the traditional oval event, but the possibility of reinstating both formats has raised questions about how the sport will allocate its limited calendar slots.
Implications for the 2027 calendar
NASCAR has maintained a 36‑race points‑paying schedule since 2001, a structure that leaves little room for additional dates and forces series planners to weigh the benefits of expanding into new markets against the demands of established venues.
Fan sentiment has been mixed, with some expressing excitement about the prospect of multiple races in Chicago while others worry that concentrating events in a single market could limit opportunities for other regions.
NASCAR officials have said they will convene with Navy officials to discuss the future of the Naval Base Coronado race, a date that may shift to make space for a Chicago street event in the 2027 lineup.
If both Chicago venues secure spots on the schedule, the move would underscore NASCAR’s willingness to experiment with hybrid formats, blending traditional oval action with the spectacle of street racing, while also testing the limits of its logistical and financial models.