![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2223839849-1024x683.jpg\")
We finally got to see Chicago’s Street Course in the dry \u2014 and it delivered again. From Shane van Gisbergen\u2019s shocking debut win in 2023 to his dominating return in 2024, the Chicago Street Course has quickly become a marquee event. But while the racing has been electric, the future of the event is uncertain as the city of Chicago is reportedly seeking changes to its current deal with NASCAR.<\/p>\n
San Diego Street Course: The Next Big Thing?<\/h3>\n
Enter San Diego. According to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic<\/em>, a deal for a street race in the Southern California city is currently in the works<\/a>. With the possibility of a new event on the table, speculation is swirling: Is San Diego a potential replacement for Chicago, or could NASCAR be planning to run two<\/em> street races in the future?<\/p>\n The Southern California market has been all but abandoned by NASCAR in recent years. Auto Club Speedway\u2019s closure and stalled short track plans, combined with the Clash\u2019s move from the L.A. Coliseum back to NASCAR’s roots in Winston-Salem<\/a>, have left the region without a major stock car race since 2023. That\u2019s a huge gap in one of the country\u2019s largest and most diverse markets.<\/p>\n IndyCar\u2019s success with the Long Beach Grand Prix proves there\u2019s demand for street racing in Southern California. NASCAR reportedly even tried to purchase the rights to Long Beach \u2014 a bold move that didn\u2019t pan out. Instead, San Diego may offer a clean slate and a chance for NASCAR to build its legacy.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0Kyle Kirkwood Dominates the Streets of Long Beach<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n San Diego is a beautiful city with a strong military presence and vibrant downtown \u2014 a compelling setting for a street race. But with both Chicago and San Diego reportedly negotiating with NASCAR, fans are left to wonder: Will we see two street races on the schedule? Or is San Diego simply leverage to get Chicago to re-sign for 2026? What exactly is NASCAR\u2019s play here?<\/p>\n What do I think? I think Chicago re-signs for the future. The city has finally adjusted to the event, and it seems like the locals are embracing it. Even the mayor recently said the race is starting to feel like a real Chicago tradition. Why put out a fire that\u2019s still burning?<\/p>\n But if NASCAR adds a street course in San Diego, that could pull a significant portion of the traveling fan base away from Chicago. Suddenly, you’re splitting the hype and the novelty that makes street courses special.<\/p>\n This is a two-fold problem for NASCAR. On one hand, you have an underserved Southern California market that\u2019s been without a Cup race since 2023 and is hungry for the sport\u2019s return. On the other hand, Chicago is finally warming up to the disruption and excitement of NASCAR in the streets. So what do you do?<\/p>\n As a bit of a NASCAR purist, I\u2019ll admit, I like my ovals. But I can appreciate what street courses bring to the table. They take the racing to<\/em> the people. Cities offer density, young audiences, and photogenic backdrops. It\u2019s smart marketing and a unique fan experience.<\/p>\n That said, I think we\u2019ve lost the plot a little. NASCAR is, and always has been, an oval series at heart. There is<\/em> a place for street and road courses, but it should be intentional. We should be racing at COTA because it\u2019s world-class, and at Watkins Glen and Sonoma because of history. Add in an international road course like Mexico City or Montreal, and one well-executed<\/em> street race. That\u2019s all you need.<\/p>\nHow To Blend The Streets With NASCAR’s Identity:<\/h3>\n