As excitement builds for 2023 Chicago Street Race Weekend, NASCAR and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) on Tuesday announced a collaborative initiative that will engage and inspire more than 22,000 students with racing-themed STEM and STEAM learning experiences and curriculum. The partnership was announced by CPS and Chicago Street Race officials at the Field Museum in downtown Chicago with the help of 2023 DAYTONA 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., fresh off the driver’s victory at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday. Beginning in March, CPS students from all 43 STEM and STEAM schools will compete in an in-classroom design challenge culminating with the first-ever “STEAM Fest” in downtown Chicago on May 2. Nearly 500 student finalists will interact with NASCAR drivers, engineers and other industry STEM professionals at the Field Museum in the event’s championship round for a chance to attend the Chicago Street Race Weekend. 

In addition, CPS and NASCAR will work together to develop new STEM curriculum for eighth-grade students exploring fundamental science and engineering concepts within the sport. The NASCAR-themed curriculum, designed to address Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Performance Expectations, will be finalized and introduced in middle schools during the 2023-2024 school year.  General admission and reserved tickets are on sale for the Chicago Street Race. Two-day general admission ticket are on sale starting at $269. Reserved tickets that offer an array of opportunities including reserved seating and a wide variety of premium experiences start at $465. To purchase tickets, fans can log onto NASCARChicago.com or call 1-888-629-7223.  The Cup Series street race will be nationally broadcast on NBC on Sunday, July 2 at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT and Xfinity Series street race will be broadcast nationally on USA Network at 5:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. CT.

Photo Credit: Chicago Public Schools