Racecars in the rain

By
Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

In a time when we have lots of more important things to think about, the powers that be have decided to put something shiny in front of us

NASCAR

Here in the city of Big Shoulders we now have noisy racecars on our city streets.  We've been moaning and bitching for weeks about the upcoming street closures and blockages but today we're talking about racecars.

The streets have been painted into racing lanes, grandstands have been put up, clubhouses have been built (so they can charge serious premiums for seating), and I have to admit, it's impressive.

If you like this stuff, make your way down to the loop (that's what we affectionately call our downtown... don't ask, that's a whole different episode of Oprah) but don't drive (remember the street closures and blockages?) take public transportation, or dust off your penny farthings and come on down.

It's an historic race with 12 turns, both left and right, and very little margin for error between the drivers and a concrete wall.  So masses of spectators will be coming down to watch the skill and daring of the drivers.

Very exciting.  Stay tuned.

-22.4

Posted by

 ALAN MAY, Realtor®   
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, 2934 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Office: 847.869.7300      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
Licensed in Illinois

   

Comments (6)

Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Zoom zoom zoom!  I've never been to a NASCAR race, but used to go to the local 1/2 mile dirt track as a kid in Louisiana with my family to watch the races.  You just never knew what might happen next, and the races that only used VW bugs were particularly fun to watch!  Hearing protection was a necessity :)

Jul 01, 2023 06:22 PM
Alan May

You won't find me anywhere near this stuff today. Not because I wouldn't love a good race, but I'm not a huge fan of the gridlock it will cause.

Jul 02, 2023 01:19 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I agree that Chicago doesn’t need this mess in the Loop. Baltimore tried this before Covid for a few years too

Jul 02, 2023 04:09 AM
Alan May

And this morning, at least so far, we have thunderstorms... so at the moment... no races.

Jul 02, 2023 04:36 AM
Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

These in city events are at least a test of driving skills. The Ovals where all anyone has to do is drive fast and take 1 turn are not that interesting to watch.

Jul 02, 2023 05:03 AM
Alan May

If the rain ever lets up, we'll see the level of skill, for sure. 

But those ovals where drivers drive really, really fast making 1 constant left turn for hundreds of miles are attended by droves and droves of inebriated fans who think it's very interesting.

Jul 02, 2023 05:06 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Alan. The best seat in the house for this race is watching it on TV. I could walk to the race, but choose not to. My son, who lives closer took time off of work not to deal with the congestion caused by the closures. Stay tuned.

Jul 02, 2023 05:41 AM
Alan May

Can't say I blame him.  They are saying now, two things. 

#1) if the races can't take place today, they may extend an additional day. 

#2) if the rain isn't too bad, the cars are equipped with windshield wipers and rain tires, and can race in the wet weather as long as their is no 'ponding' on the track.

Jul 02, 2023 06:13 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Living in NASCAR country, I wondered how Chicago was going to take this new shiny thing, Alan! We were visiting my father in GA yesterday and he was quizzing my son and I on the number of turns and the cost of this 'temporary' set-up in Chicago! 

BTW, Happy Birthday, America!! 🇺🇸 I hope you had a fabulous day.

Jul 04, 2023 08:24 PM
Alan May

I don't know what the cost was, but overall, I think NASCAR had a surprisingly good welcome in the city of broad shoulders.  People were lined up five and ten deep at the wire barriers to watch the action.

Jul 05, 2023 03:41 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Alan,

My husband was into Nascar when his company sponsored a car.  Now not so much.  We lived near Ontario Motor Speedway and went to some races.  I gave my husband a "Racing Experience" for one of his birthdays.  He loved it.

Jul 09, 2023 09:02 AM
Alan May

My sister-in-law once sponsored a NASCAR car. It took quite a bit of her time, energy and money.  But she really enjoyed it.

Jul 10, 2023 02:12 AM