NASCAR released an official statement announcing a pause on the Chicago street race in 2026. The event has been dropped from the sport's calendar for next year so that NASCAR could work with the City of Chicago to form a plan that "further optimizes operational efficiencies." The objective is to bring the street race back in 2027.

NASCAR is hitting pause on its Chicago Street Race for a year, officials said. In a statement, NASCAR officials said they will not be returning to the Loop for the Chicago Street Race in 2026 "to afford us the time necessary to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago."

NASCAR officials are pausing the annual Fourth of July weekend race next year to work on finding a new date and optimizing its setup and break-down of the course.