(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There were some mixed opinions on NASCAR’s stop in Chicago last year. But what did the people behind the wheel think about the event?
Driver of No. 41, Ryan Preece shared what he and his fellow drivers thought of NASCAR in Chicago a year ago.
“Honestly, we all really enjoyed it. I think there was a lot of speculation, as far as how difficult it may have been for us drivers just trying to learn the course and all those things. But you know, the amount of time we had for practice and trying to get to the limit,” Preece said.
“Yeah, it was just a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. I didn't really know what to expect because I'd never been on a street course before and I enjoyed it. And I really wish we would have maybe one or two more.”
Preece mentioned New York, Boston and Las Vegas as potential other stops.
He also encouraged those who didn’t make it out to the race last year to try and attend it this year.
“If you've never experienced it, you need to come out to it because it's the motorsports version of the Kentucky Derby. From being in your city, being in the infield, from what I saw and some of the things that people were saying, it's just a great atmosphere.”
Even if racing is “not really your thing,” Preece urged people to at least try it once.
Preece also shared what he thought would be the most interesting thing for those attending for the first time. While turning off of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, the drivers will decelerate from 100-60 mph down to 40-30 mph very quickly.
“How fast we're going and then how heavy a breaking we're having, because for people that don't normally get to see things like that it’s pretty fascinating.”
For Preece and the other drivers, he said it is like grabbing a coffee on your way into work, but it can be pretty spectacular to watch.
NASCAR Chicago Street Race returns in under two weeks. For the latest information about street closures, check out our NASCAR Chicago 2024 guide for an interactive map.
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