The bright sunshine in downtown Chicago was a welcome sight for Detroit resident Duane Verhelst and his wife, Jessica. They watched the rain-soaked NASCAR street races from the comfort of their Michigan Avenue hotel room this past weekend. “We had a pretty good view of the curve,” Duane said. “I got the sights and the sounds, and the smells, and…
Savage said his friends enjoyed it as well.
Still, with the traffic problems it created, and the delays and cancellations brought about by torrential rains, some are asking if the two-day event was worth it. A study commissioned by NASCAR and the city of Chicago from Minnesota-based CSL International projected that more than 100,000 people would attend the event, with almost 40% spending the night. That would have accounted for 24 thousand hotel room nights in the city of Chicago.NASCAR also projected more than $50 million would be spent on construction, race services and labor. That would bring the estimated economic impact to almost $114 million.
But experts like Allen Samuelson, a University of Chicago economist who specializes in sports economics said the estimates may be generous.Samuelson said the race may have discouraged tourists who had considered coming to the downtown to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Security is always a major cost at large events like a NASCAR race or the Olympics, Samuelson said. So are the possibilities of protests or major crashes that could have shown the city in a negative light.Discounting the rain and challenges it created, Samuelson said, “nothing really bad happened, so it could have been a lot worse.If the weekend were as sunny as it is on Monday, “you guys would have had five times as many people out there,” he said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NASCAR contractor Duane Tabinski electrocuted to death while setting up race course53-year-old Duane Tabinski hired to set up audio equipment for the race.
Read more »
NASCAR halts Chicago street race due to storms in area, OEMC saysNASCAR's first-ever street race takes off in Chicago Saturday.
Read more »
NASCAR Contractor Electrocuted to Death at Chicago Street Race Site“He was busy doing what he loved, providing a top-of-the-line audio experience for the enjoyment of others,” Duane Tabinski’s audio company said.
Read more »
Denny Hamlin wins pole for NASCAR Cup Series' first street race in downtown ChicagoDenny Hamlin led the way for the race Sunday with a lap of 88.435 seconds at an average speed of 89.557 mph on the 12-turn, 2.2-mile course.
Read more »
NASCAR Chicago Street Race delayed due to lightningThe Loop 121 Xfinity Series race was delayed downtown Chicago due to lightning Saturday evening. Earlier, the National Weather Service issued a special weather statement, warning that a strong thunderstorm could hit portions of northeastern Cook County, including downtown Chicago where the NASCAR Chicago Street Race was underway. At about 4:47 p.m., Saturday a strong thunderstorm over Humboldt Park was…
Read more »
NASCAR Chicago: XFinity Series rescheduled for Sunday morning due to storms in areaThe Chainsmokers concert, scheduled for Saturday evening, has been canceled.
Read more »