CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Preparations are in full swing for Chicago's first ever NASCAR street race in July.
Construction for the 2.2-mile course has been underway for a few weeks, and Julie Giese with NASCAR Chicago Street Race said so far, it's been going well.
"On Sunday, we started installing the very first barriers out of Jackson, and that is continuing now through event weekend…Each one of those are 42-inches tall, 10,000 pounds, and 12-feet long,” Giese noted.
Giese also said NASCAR has been working to address concerns from residents, including the noise the race will generate.
"This will be the second time that our teams will be using mufflers...For us, it's something that's been tested a number of times in advance of even running them at the LA Memorial Coliseum, and we look forward to having them here in July." Giese said.
She said they've also worked to limit the amount of time cars will be on the track to under 10 hours.
Giese said the biggest structure being built for the race is the President's Paddock Club.
"This is our premiere hospitality structure. It is built above the tree line. There are two stories that are being constructed. And we're essentially located right near the location of the start/finish line," Giese said.
She said NASCAR is also working on setting up various grandstands and reserved seating and clubs along Balbo Drive, as well as Michigan Avenue.
Giese said NASCAR is preparing to welcome up to 50,000 spectators.
"We have ticket sales from all 50 states and 14 countries. That was one thing we committed, the City, to, early on was to drive tourism and to give this city a boost from a tourism perspective, and we're seeing that when you look at ticket sales," Giese said.
She said to prepare for this influx of people, NASCAR is coordinating with the city for increased security and road measures.
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