Want to test drive the NASCAR street race course? Crews wrapping up downtown repaving

In a little over six weeks, the tranquil gardens around Grant Park will be overcome with the roar of NASCAR stock cars in the racing company’s first street race.

And as Chicago crews finish repaving the streets in preparation for the July 1-2 races, regular Joes will get a chance to drive along the soon-to-be official race course.

The new, nearly pitch-black pavement began to be laid earlier this month when crews with the Chicago Department of Transportation closed down Columbus Drive May 2 — a temporary road closure that was unexpected for most Chicago drivers, who were told in April that Columbus would not close until June 25.

The repaving will be completed in the next couple days, CDOT spokeswoman Erica Schroeder said Thursday. But crews still have to weld down manhole covers along the course, she said.

City of Chicago

For those interested in testing out the 2.2 mile, 12-turn course — and those willing to obey traffic signals — begin driving south along Columbus Drive, directly west of Buckingham Fountain, where you’ll find the starting line.

The first turn is a hard left onto Balbo Drive, and then a short sprint to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. After a 90-degree right turn, the course sees its first two soft turns, two consecutive rights along the Museum Campus, before another hard right back onto Columbus.

After turning on Balbo and right onto Michigan Avenue, prepare for a right turn into the half-circle along East Congress Plaza Drive. Jog back onto Michigan, turn right onto Jackson, and then it’s the final stretch after the last turn back onto Columbus.

NASCAR said it expects around 100,000 spectators to attend the two days of races.

The most significant closure will likely be the six days that southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive is blocked from 10 p.m. June 28 until after race weekend, from Monroe to McFetridge Drive.