Kevin Harvick defends Chicago NASCAR Street Race, responding forcefully on his Happy Hour podcast after a Chicago Sun-Times column criticized the event as a disruption for the city, instead hailing it as a transformative move for NASCAR. The split between detractors and supporters has ignited intense debate as the event nears the end of its initial three-year contract in 2025.
Debate over Chicago’s bold NASCAR experiment intensifies
The Chicago Street Race has become a provocative topic in both motorsport and civic circles since its introduction. The experiment brought high-octane NASCAR racing to the heart of an urban environment, a considerable departure from the sport’s traditional oval circuit venues. However, not everyone is convinced the event is a perfect fit for Chicago’s downtown, where daily rhythms—including the city’s cherished July 4th fireworks tradition—have been disrupted.
Recently, Steve Greenberg published a satirical column in the Chicago Sun-Times, humorously titled
“Dear NASCAR: End of the road in Chicago can’t come fast enough.”
Written as a breakup letter from the city’s perspective, Greenberg’s piece pointed to crowded streets, logistical headaches, and a sense of cultural mismatch between NASCAR and Chicago’s celebrated baseball, football, basketball, and hockey heritage. He even poked fun at event grand marshal Derrick Rose, who was uncomfortably overdressed for the summer heat, and didn’t hold back in describing the race as a ham-fisted disruption rather than a highlight.
The column’s sarcasm underscored genuine local dissatisfaction, particularly around street closures and the rescheduling of fireworks to July 5th. Despite these grievances, Harvick insists that critics are overlooking the event’s positives, emphasizing the enthusiastic crowds at Grant Park—even during years when rain interrupted proceedings. He is unwavering in his support for the city’s engagement and credits NASCAR’s ambition for reaching urban audiences.
Harvick launches a passionate rebuttal to critics
Taking on the critics, especially Greenberg, Harvick employed his platform as a commentator to respond in energetic fashion. On his podcast, Harvick did not mince words, drawing a sharp divide between those trying to understand the sport and those seeking controversy:
“I mean, the crowd looked, the crowd looked good. And, and the thing that I love about Chicago, it’s always all three years. It’s felt like they’re so engaged in in what’s going on. You’ve got some of these slapsticks like this guy from the Sun-Times, this Steve Greenberg guy that wrote the crappy story this morning. But for the most part, people who actually want to pay attention and be a part of the event do the things that aren’t just looking for a headline because they write bad stories. That’s the truth, though. I mean, a guy like this that doesn’t know anything about NASCAR doesn’t want to come out and find out about the sport. He wants to just show up and talk bad.”
—Kevin Harvick, Commentator
Harvick’s remarks highlighted the excitement generated by the race, noting that even casual fans—many of whom watched the broadcast from his own home—were drawn in by the city course’s spectacle. He underscored that for three consecutive years, attendance and enthusiasm have validated NASCAR’s gamble to plant its flag downtown.
Continuing on his podcast, Harvick criticized those he saw as ill-informed detractors, positioning himself alongside voices within motorsports who offer reasoned perspectives:
“I think that, you know, I don’t necessarily like, I, I agree with Blaney that crushing the sport in a moment like this is probably not the right thing to do for an industry person. It’s not as bad as the Sun-Times. Steve Greenberg, who knows nothing about racing. Jeff Gluck knows a lot about racing and does a great job covering the sport. But I can see both of their points and they’re both very well educated in racing and what happens on a weekly basis. So thank you both for being a, a, a key part of our sport, unlike Steve Greenberg. Don’t give him clicks.”
—Kevin Harvick, Commentator
Harvick contrasted Greenberg’s commentary with that of established insiders such as Jeff Gluck and Ryan Blaney. While acknowledging that Blaney has cautioned against overzealous criticism during a critical period for the sport’s growth, Harvick said Greenberg’s take lacks insight, suggesting his columns chase online engagement instead of fostering nuanced debate.
The community remains divided on the event’s impact
The disagreement between longtime locals and those drawn to the Chicago Street Race extends beyond sports fandom. For many residents, the event is a logistical headache that creates congestion, alters plans, and challenges the city’s character. The holiday fireworks tradition shifting dates stands as a visible symbol of the disrupted routine.
On the other side, supporters—including Harvick—see the race as a symbol of NASCAR’s willingness to modernize and broaden its audience. Bringing high-level motorsport action into the city center has not only delivered solid attendance but also cultivated a new demographic of viewers. Harvick points to expanding interest, both from new fans who swelled the grandstands and from those who tuned in nationally, as critical indicators of success. He argues that dismissing the event without experiencing its atmosphere or understanding its significance misses the mark.
This sharp split reflects a larger trend across major cities: balancing tradition with the allure of hosting marquee sporting events that bring national attention. The economic impact, tourism boost, and cultural exchange from such an event can be substantial, but these potential benefits are weighed against the realities of inconvenience and local sentiment. As the contract for the current three-year run heads toward its conclusion in 2025, city officials, NASCAR leadership, and the community will remain engaged in a heated conversation about whether to extend the event or let it become a short-lived chapter.
Other major NASCAR stories drawing attention
The ongoing debate over the Chicago Street Race comes as the NASCAR world is animated by other significant topics. Joe Gibbs finds himself under pressure as Martin Truex Jr.’s brother stages a return to the sport, putting team strategy into sharp focus. Meanwhile, Chase Elliott received a pointed message from Katherine Legge following an aggressive maneuver during the Chicago event itself.
The community is also abuzz over the likely return of a fan-favorite crew chief to the Cup Series, a prospect that could shift the competitive dynamic among top teams. Kevin Harvick himself has thrown support behind Richard Childress’ grandson, who is beginning to earn a reputation as NASCAR’s “New Intimidator,” continuing the legacy of strong personalities in the garage. Lastly, drama unfolded as Bubba Wallace’s spotter candidly shouldered responsibility for a late-race incident involving Alex Bowman in Chicago, further fuelling post-race discussion and analysis.
Harvick applauds Ty Gibbs’ road course performance
Alongside his defense of the Chicago Street Race, Harvick devoted time in his podcast to praising Ty Gibbs, who impressed on the city’s tricky street circuit. Gibbs nearly caught defending street-racing champion Shane van Gisbergen, ultimately finishing in second place. Harvick, who has watched Gibbs mature as a competitor, sees the young driver’s progress as part of NASCAR’s narrative of evolution and changing fortunes.
“I think that they’ve got the speed and now it’s just those one or two moments on a weekly basis that you’ve got to manage, whether it’s the driver, the pit call, whatever those moments are that the guys that are going to win make right and that’s where they are. I feel like the speed, he’s an unbelievable road racer, and we saw that really from his first Xfinity race at the Daytona road course when he went down there and won that race. But I mean he’s shown up week after week after week now with the speed, qualifying well, in position. Drove a smart race [Sunday] to put himself in contention at the end.”
—Kevin Harvick, Commentator
Gibbs has been steadily climbing the ranks, with a third-place finish last year in Chicago, this year’s second-place result, and a strong run to eleventh on the road course in Mexico City. Harvick believes that Gibbs is close to a breakthrough win, particularly at road course events, while warning that established playoff contenders should be wary.
“I think when you look at a Ty Gibbs, he’s the danger for a guy like Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace, right?”
—Kevin Harvick, Commentator
As the playoff race tightens, Alex Bowman holds a narrow 39-point buffer over the elimination line, and Bubba Wallace’s margin is just two points. Harvick named Ryan Preece and Carson Hocevar as other notable threats, highlighting their consistent speed and potential to disrupt established contenders. He emphasized the unpredictability inherent in NASCAR’s current landscape, where young talent and hungry drivers could dramatically alter postseason scenarios. Reflecting on Hocevar’s potential, Harvick remarked:
“If he doesn’t hit something or something doesn’t happen on pit road, he’s got the speed week in and week out.”
—Kevin Harvick, Commentator
The prospect of Gibbs, Preece, and Hocevar making their mark means that veterans such as Bowman and Wallace cannot afford missteps, with new faces ready to capitalize at every race.
Looking ahead: What the street race debate means for NASCAR and Chicago
As Chicago approaches a key decision point on whether to renew the event beyond 2025, the debate encapsulates intersecting local and national interests. Kevin Harvick’s emphatic defense illustrates how much weight major figures within NASCAR place on urban expansion and fan engagement, while critics like Steve Greenberg give voice to the disruption felt on the ground. Ultimately, the fate of the Chicago Street Race will hinge on balancing these concerns: the opportunity to invigorate NASCAR’s audience and traditions against the pushback from city residents who bear the brunt of street closures and altered rhythms.
The conversation is set to intensify as the city reviews contractual outcomes, community feedback, and the long-term vision for sports tourism. Whatever the outcome, the passionate responses from all sides have cemented the Chicago Street Race as a defining battleground in the evolving sports culture of both NASCAR and the city itself.
