CHICAGO (WLS) — NASCAR is coming off its most successful year in Chicago. Not only was the weather better, but the set-up and tear-down was the most efficient it has been.

Now, it looks like they will be back for at least one more race in 2027.

Earlier this month, racing on the streets of Chicago looked like what NASCAR had in mind when they first started in Chicago.

With some cooperation from Mother Nature, it was a great couple of days of racing. Just not the right weekend apparently.

So, after taking next year off, NASCAR officials told several alderpeople at a meeting on Monday that they intend to continue the race.

“After this meeting, I’m convinced they want to come back and race in ’27,” 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins said.

NASCAR officials put out a statement late last week announcing their intention to take next year off. But they also complimented the city’s efforts. Saying in part “Together, we have built and grown an expanded community of fans that consists of longtime NASCAR enthusiasts and first-time racegoers from around the globe, and for that, we are immensely grateful.”

Alderpeople who were in the meeting said NASCAR has also committed to continuing and even increasing their community support for various causes including the Boys and Girls Club during 2026, even though they will not be racing.

“They’re really doubling down on all the things they’ve done to establish they’re not carpet baggers. They’re here. They’re in Chicago. They want to stay in Chicago,” Hopkins said.

Some Chicagoans are split on whether they want NASCAR back. A number of downtown alderpeople say they would support it with a more profitable financial arrangement for the city.

Along with Choose Chicago, they are commissioning a financial analysis to determine the impact and expenses of the race.

NASCAR has 90 days from the end of the July 2025 race to execute the option to continue the contract in Chicago for two more years. While they will not race here next summer, it gives the city and NASCAR more time to find dates for the race in 2027.