👋 Good morning!
I’d like to wish everyone a great day — except to Alex Cooper, her two “backup singers” and whoever is responsible for booking her to make a mockery of the Seventh Inning Stretch on Sunday.
I realize we live in an age where a lot of things aren’t taken seriously, but Take Me Out To The Ballgame at Wrigley Field should not be one of them. Is nothing sacred?!?
Is that it for NASCAR in Chicago?
(USA Today Images)
Shane van Gisbergen won both events over the weekend as Chicago and NASCAR completed its original three-year contract to host stock car races in Grant Park.
So it that all she wrote for what originally seemed an unlikely marriage but fought through a lot of crummy weather for a few bright moments and some really cool visuals?
The future is unclear.
NASCAR is reported to be nearing a deal to host a street course race in San Diego in 2026, though that wouldn’t necessarily preclude the organization from also returning to Chicago for a fourth season.
The Sun-Times reported on Monday that Brandon Johnson’s administration remains open to a return, but is interested in a different date from the Fourth of July weekend. NASCAR has 90 days to request an extension on the deal that was originally signed by Lori Lightfoot.
Said NASCAR star Denny Hamlin: “I personally would like to see them do everything they can to keep it here … 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.”
Mark me down as someone who’s fine with whatever they decide.
I was interested enough in the first two events that I tuned in on television (though not enough to actually explore attending in person). Seeing the powerful cars zoom around on streets I’ve also driven on was a cool experience.
Yet on Sunday, I decided the novelty had worn off and did something else. No hard feelings to anyone who enjoyed van Gisbergen notching his second Cup win in three years here.
I’m guessing I’m not alone here in the indifferent take-it-or-leave-it attitude. We’re not the biggest racing city, though we do like a big event with big spectacle. If both sides can come to an agreement that pleases the residents in the South Loop and doesn’t leave the city’s finances on the shorter end, well, then rev those engines once again.
And if not?
Well, I’m pretty sure that’ll be OK too. 🤷♂️
⚾️ Summertime Sweepstakes ⚾️
Rate & CHGO are giving away a pair of tickets to the Rate Club for Cubs-Sox at Rate Field on July 26th.
All you have to do to enter? Download the Rate app and enter at:
No purchase necessary—just good vibes & great seats!
Blue Jays 8, White Sox 4: Colson Montgomery got his first home game in the white pinstripes and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run. Toronto’s won nine straight.
The Sox will wear a #45 patch on their jerseys for the rest of the season to honor Bobby Jenks and if that doesn’t tell you how much he meant to the organization, I’m not sure what does.
Andrew Vaughn made his debut with the Brewers on Monday night and hit a three-run homer off Dodgers’ All-Star Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the bottom of the first inning. Because of course he did.
He’s On Fire! 🔥: Michael Busch was named National League Player of the Week on Monday after a weekend that saw him crush four homers against the Cards, including three in Friday’s eight-dinger outburst.
Busch hit .565 (13-for-23) on the week with seven RBI, seven runs and two doubles. He’s the third Cubs player to win the award this year, joining Kyle Tucker (April 7) and Seiya Suzuki (May 27).
The honor marks the 100th time a Cubs player has won the award.
Our first monthly power ranking of Chicago’s current athletes came out on Monday and about the only thing anyone can seem to agree on is that No. 1 is an easy choice.
What do you think? Shoot me an email at [email protected] and I’ll try and include some thoughts in tomorrow’s newsletter.
OUR TOP 10 CHICAGO ATHLETES IN JUNE 2025‼️
What's your list? Who's missing?👀
— #CHGO Sports (#@CHGO_Sports)
11:00 PM • Jul 7, 2025
📺 CHGO Bears
12:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Blackhawks
2:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bulls
4:00 on YouTube
⚾️ White Sox vs. Toronto
6:40 on CHSN
⚾️ Cubs at Minnesota
6:40 on Marquee
📺 CHGO Cubs
POSTGAME on CHGO Cubs YT
