Preparations for NASCAR Chicago Street Race underway near Grant Park
CHICAGO (CBS) – NASCAR is roaring into Chicago.
Setup for the first-of-its-kind race was already under way Monday, with scaffolding mounted near Buckingham Fountain. Parking restrictions for the July event have also already begun.
As CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reported, Monday marked T-minus 19 days until the race takes over Grant Park. But as preparations already began to take shape weeks ahead of time, as crews worked to erect a grandstand along Ida B. Wells Drive. Construction started last weekend.
Like clockwork, crews worked into the evening on the grandstand Monday – on deadline. Within days, sky-high seating was assembled from the ground up.
The setup will also feature VIP suites with panoramic views.
That roadway has already been closed from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive for the grandstand, which is around where the future start/finish area and main "fan plaza" will be.
Then, starting next Monday, part of Balbo Drive will be closed between Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Drivers will still be able to use Columbus Drive until the week after as the track really comes together.
It's all part of the ongoing preparations ahead of the NASCAR race on July 1 and July 2. Legendary driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently took CBS 2 out on a test drive of the course to talk about its unique challenges to racers.
Streets and sidewalks will not fully reopen until July 15.
As drivers try to keep up with route changes, they differ on whether the shutdowns are more than a mild inconvenience.
"The traffic is going to be insane to and from work – yeah, definitely," a motorist said.
The biggest closure is only beginning to sink in for local drivers – one that could tie up traffic in all directions. On June 28, a chunk of DuSable Lake Shore Drive will close – and will not reopen until two weeks after the event is over.
"Not everybody is here for NASCAR," a woman said.
In a statement, a NASCAR spokesperson said: "The build of the Chicago street course is going smoothly and on schedule. NASCAR continues to work closely with the City of Chicago to actively communicate about traffic and parking impacts via news alerts, social media, mailers, and one-on-one canvassing in the area surrounding the course."
And some say excitement outweighs traffic woes.
"I'm excited. My son is excited. He likes the cars," said Anthony Beddingfield. "I think it will bring positivity. The kids will love it."
Local motorists have already had to deal lately with repaving work along part of DuSable Lake Shore Drive – as crews were out on Monday afternoon to close some of the southbound lanes. Some of both northbound and southbound lanes will be closed at times for work later this week.
The city will be holding a briefing Tuesday on NASCAR road closures.
