With just over a month until the second annual NASCAR Chicago Street Races, fans can get a glimpse of the action thanks to the NASCAR Street Racing Experience opening at the Chicago History Museum on Friday.
The pop-up store features simulators, race cars, NASCAR memorabilia and more, giving Chicago residents a preview ahead of the race weekend in July.
The exhibit transformed the Old Town Museum into a racer-driven showcase of Chicago’s rich history, giving visitors a glimpse into NASCAR’s past and present.
While Chicago may not be what locals think of when they think of NASCAR, the city has a rich history of auto racing.
“The first auto race in the United States was in Chicago in 1895, so there’s a lot of tradition here,” said local auto racing historian Stan Karwasinski.
According to Chicago historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas, the race started on Thanksgiving Day in 1895 in Jackson Park and went round trip to Evanston.
Thomas said only a few racers completed the course.
On Monday, NASCAR will also be setting up racing simulators there so attendees can experience what it’s like to drive on the 12-turn street course and learn more about how the race came to be held for a second consecutive year.
The exhibit is free with museum admission and will be on display through race weekend, July 7th.
