NASCAR star Denny Hamlin urges action as $128 MILLION factor cited

NASCAR star Denny Hamlin has urged the city of Chicago to do everything it can to ensure that the Cup Series returns.

NASCAR has raced around the streets of Windy City for the last three seasons, but the initial deal agreed to host the event is now up following Sunday's race, which was won by Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen.

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Hamlin is one driver hoping to see it back once again next year, however, citing mutual benefits for both NASCAR and the city itself. This includes the revenue that the event generates for Chicago, which was estimated to be $128 million in 2024.

“I personally would like to see them do everything they can to keep it here,” Hamlin told the media ahead of Sunday's Grant Park 165. “I'd like to see the city rally behind this race.

"I could just tell you that non-racing fans at the hotel I'm staying at are talking about the race. I think that it's certainly got some sort of economic impact to the city itself.

"We're certainly exposing some new fans to this. I think it's very important. I think you try everything you can to get this thing back here in Chicago, because I believe it is an important place for us.”

READ MORE: Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin among NASCAR stars hit with penalties in Chicago

Hamlin issues verdict on Chicagoland v Chicago Street Race

Those who are not in favor of the street race in Chicago have called for NASCAR to return to Chicagoland Speedway, a more traditional venue with an oval track that previously hosted the Cup Series.

However, Hamlin believes that both races can exist on the Cup Series calendar, sharing that opinion before turning to the possibility of running an oval track on the streets.

“Chicagoland (Speedway) is not a substitute for this race,” Hamlin explained.

“I'd like to see us run both. I don't know where you go next, not really sure. Wild thought is, what about a street oval?

“All you need is just flat pavement to make a race track. We run a flat Clash, right? It’s at a flat track and we kind of make it work.

"I get it, though. There are so many things to put on a race so I wouldn't know. But there's a lot of hospitality and stuff around this track that you need miles to expand into. But I’m not sure the right place, I just know that it seems like it works here.”

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