How much did you overcome the inaugural race of Nascar Chicago Street, the $ 25,000,000 budget?

The stoppage to the street racing of the Nascar and its future in the international markets are under great scrutiny after the financial bankruptcy of the opening of the Nascar Chicago Street Race. The race, which was held in the center of Chicago in 2023, was the first attempt to Nascar in a street circuit and has become a point of discussion, as the series is now preparing for its first modern point point. Cup series Event outside the US, in Mexico City.

The race exceeded its budget in more than double. Nascar initially planned to spend $ 15 and $ 25 million at Chicago event. But real costs increased to $ 50 million, according to Jeff Wohlschlaeger, former Nascar sales chief, who confirmed the figure to BlackBook Motorsport.

The Chicago race was designed to be a milestone: the first Nascar Street Race, a televised show with urban attractiveness and a possible model for future events in the new markets. Instead, he exposed the lagoons in planning, logistics and budget. The original budget range turned out to be too optimistic.

“We have not planned to foresee the level of work that would be needed,” said Wohlschlaeger.

Cost expenses included everything from construction and safety facilities to local permits, safety, cleaning and marketing. Since Nascar directly promoted the event, he had to endure the entire financial burden, which is not repeated with the race in Mexico City.

The Race of Mexico City, Viva México 250, will be promoted not for Nascar, but by Oseca, the same group that manages the event of Formula 1 in the same enclosure. This change reduces Nascar's financial exposure while climbing in a partner with experience in terrain.

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The Nascar Cup series moves to Mexico but even more

The transfer of the Cup series to Mexico is historic. But do not wait for the Nascar to jump through the oceans at any time. Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy explained That the logistical demands of sports limit the extent to which it can come and quickly.

Nascar may be expanding, but it does so with caution. Speaking BlackBook MotorsportBen Kennedy stated why the Cup series does not plan to races in Europe or Asia, at least not yet.

“The amount of inventory we carry through our program of series series makes it very difficult for us to travel from the United States abroad, to do our things and then return to the following weekend, seeing that we have 38 (races),” he said.

In short, the calendar full of nascar (38 events for about 40 weeks) leaves little space for international travel. It is important each week, and the teams, equipment and logistics operations of the sport work with a tight change.

Kennedy confirmed that the international expansion of Nascar will focus on North America. It includes potential races in Mexico, such as Viva Mexico 250 this weekend, and possibly Canada in the near future.