Kevin Harvick slams Chicago columnist Steve Greenberg for what he sees as uninformed criticism of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race, bringing renewed attention to how the event is portrayed in the media. The controversy unfolded during the FOX broadcast as Harvick, now retired from full-time competition, directly confronted the columnist’s negative commentary and defended the race’s significance and achievements.
Harvick Challenges Sun-Times Writer Over Street Race Critique
During the NASCAR on FOX coverage, Kevin Harvick openly called out Steve Greenberg from the Chicago Sun-Times for what he considered poorly researched and dismissive remarks about NASCAR’s street racing experiment. According to Harvick, Greenberg demonstrated little inclination to genuinely connect with or learn about the sport, instead arriving at criticisms based on limited engagement.
On live television, Harvick did not hold back in expressing his frustration toward columns like Greenberg’s, which, in Harvick’s view, failed to capture the appeal and uniqueness of the street race. He emphasized that such commentary misrepresented the event’s significance and disregarded the enthusiasm it generated among fans and participants.
“Some of these slapsticks like this guy from the Sun-Times, this Steve Greenberg guy, that wrote the crappy story this morning… he wants to just show up and talk bad,”
said Harvick during the FOX broadcast [3:16 onwards]. —Kevin Harvick, during FOX broadcast
For Harvick, the real issue was not criticism itself but the apparent lack of effort to actually understand the importance of the event or the reasons behind its creation. He was clear that more thoughtful engagement was needed from members of the press, especially when evaluating bold changes within the sport.
“He doesn’t want to come out and find out about the sport,”
Harvick added. —Kevin Harvick
Defending NASCAR’s Bold New Course
Harvick’s defense of the Chicago Street Race went beyond his dissatisfaction with the column. Drawing on his recent experiences and the response from fans, he argued that the event represented one of the sport’s most ambitious and successful initiatives. Viewers, including those gathered at his own home, were reportedly captivated by the excitement and challenge posed by the unfamiliar city circuit, which featured tight corners and unpredictable dynamics.
Instead of focusing on obstacles or setbacks, Harvick underlined the value of trying something new and the rewards that come from taking calculated risks. He pointed to the race’s high stakes and its ability to attract both loyal fans and curious newcomers as evidence of its positive impact.
Historic Victory Adds to the Spotlight
The 2023 event concluded with Shane van Gisbergen achieving a remarkable double, claiming victories in both the Cup and Xfinity Series races at the Grant Park 165—a feat last accomplished by Kyle Busch in 2016. This historic outcome contributed to the event’s wider relevance and drew further interest to what was already seen as a groundbreaking weekend for NASCAR.
Harvick Sees Potential for More Urban Racing
Building on his admiration for the city’s engagement, Harvick used his Happy Hours podcast to highlight the significance of the 2.2-mile Chicago course. He described how the layout and the energy from local spectators helped set the race apart from the traditional NASCAR calendar.
“It’s still one of my favorites,”
he said on his podcast. —Kevin Harvick
“It makes a statement when you see the streets, street course set up, and the way that it races, and the atmosphere that it has.”
he added. —Kevin Harvick
Harvick also suggested that the success of the Chicago Street Race could act as a model for future NASCAR events in other major cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, or potentially inside larger venues. He sees the format’s adaptability as an opportunity to bring motorsport directly to urban audiences, increasing accessibility and excitement.
Looking Ahead for NASCAR and City Street Racing
The public dispute between Kevin Harvick and Steve Greenberg has sparked renewed discussion on how new NASCAR events are portrayed and understood by those outside the racing community. As the series weighs possible city-based races in additional metropolitan areas, the Chicago Street Course stands out both for its immediate commercial success and its potential to influence the future direction of the sport. The focus now turns to how NASCAR will continue to innovate, attracting both established fans and new viewers to races in unexpected places.
