NASCAR professionals’ vs. Chicago drivers: A closer look

We have all heard by now (at times ad nauseam) that some of the world's most excellent race car drivers will soon be descending on our fair city.

Some are excited about the coming event, some maybe not so much, and others may be planning quick trips that weekend to visit beautiful Belleville, Illinois (or if that is closed, maybe scenic Johnsburg for the weekend)

Meanwhile, the best in the world at driving speed, strategy, daring, turning, passing, steady nerves, and working with pit crews are ready to show Chicagoans their stuff. These will be some of the world's most talented and highest-paid professional drivers, and their deft and skill are undoubtedly on clear display.

But are they the best? Are they really that special? More specifically, do they rate a higher skill level than the average Chicago driver, who has had to endure the rigors of driving in our fine city for many years?

Surprisingly, it may be a closer comparison than you think. Let us analyze by using the attributes listed above.

Speed: Ok, NASCAR drivers know how to put the pedal to the mettle, no question about it,  but Chicago drivers? You give them rare open space on the highways such as the Kennedy, Stevenson, 294, or Lake Shore Drive heading south- and boom! They are flying. The open road is so rare in these parts that the need for speed is felt with a sneaky pleasure and an almost guilty decadence for fast driving.

Also, remember, NASCAR drivers can traverse their race roadways at full speeds, but the Chicago drivers have to keep one eye out for our friendly highway patrol and their not-so-friendly flashing lights, making the need for speed even more difficult.

Racing Strategy: NASCAR drivers are trained professionals. They have to pick their spots to maneuver strategically, know when to pace, wind resistance behind lead cars, analyze their opponents, and most importantly, know when to go just at the right time for that burst of speed to pass up another driver. Overall, very impressive.

On the other hand, Chicago drivers, when it comes to strategy? Oh, we got this one.

First, we must figure out when to start or take off by checking out local traffic patterns, the best time of day, checking for accidents, and looking at our Google maps. NASCAR folks know precisely when their race starts and when they can go—a piece of cake. Chicago drivers have to plan this out well in advance.

Add in the various strategies Chicagoans occur regularly, like picking the correct exits, when to take express lanes and when to stay on regular highways, and figuring out any shortcuts that may get us there faster. You begin to get a picture of the underrated Chicago driver strategy intake.

NASCAR drivers know exactly what route to take, and it usually has to do with circling in figure eight in repeated fashion-I mean-how, hard can that be!

Passing: NASCAR drivers are fantastic in this skill. They pass up opponents' cars at high speeds, in dangerous situations, and have to pick the right time to do it—a degree of difficulty near off the charts.

Chicago drivers only have it slightly more manageable, though. While the speed might be different, the difficulty of squeezing over four lanes in heavy traffic to get to your exit requires truly deft passing ability. Usually, it means ignoring horns honking at you and a few hand-related gestures that do not include waving.

Have NASCAR drivers ever tried passing cars during rush hour in Chicago? They might wilt under this regular Chicago ritual's pressure, intensity, and frustration.

Daring and Bravery: This is easily an advantage for NASCAR drivers- but not so fast.

Yes, we all are amazed at the fast speeds these race car drivers go in tight situations, and the risk of accident and injury looms real without question. It has been duly noted.

BUT. Have these professional drivers ever tried speeding up on the 90/94 Randolph ramp ( or any other downtown ramps) heading North with an entrance leading to the expressway smaller than your average grocery store checkout line? Cars flying down the left-hand lane of the expressway in a rush to get home and listening to their favorite podcast, while our brave Chicago drivers are just trying to squeeze in with this concise window to do so. All, with cars behind you, ready to blast their horns if you dare slow down.

Methinks many a NASCAR driver might fade away under this kind of pressure.

Do you want even more daring? Try taking a shortcut while driving and ending in a neighborhood where you might hear something resembling gunshots or at every red light. Your defense mechanism kicks in, preparing for a potential carjacking. That, my friends, is Chicago drivers living the dream.

Carjacking is not among the top concerns during a NASCAR race.

Finally, let us analyze the category of driving assistance:

NASCAR drivers have fully staffed professional pit crews at their beck and call. They pull in when needed, the tires get changed, the oil checked, the brakes replaced, the engine and battery revitalized, and you might even get an ice-cold refreshing Gatorade while you wait—all this in about 30 seconds.

Chicago drivers? You are out of luck if you get mechanical breakdowns on our streets. No pit crew to greet you, no other cars stopping to help. You could be sitting on the side of the road for hours, waiting for assistance—a lonely, grueling, mentally frustrating- and pocketbook-debilitating overall experience.

Final Analysis? As stated at the opening, it is a much closer comparison than one might think. We will give the edge -somewhat hesitant-to the NASCAR drivers, again based on just the sheer speed and competitiveness upon which they exist. But much kudos to the Chicago drivers who undoubtedly should be proud of all the obstacles you must overcome.

Oh, and remember. The upcoming NASCAR race will cause more lane closures, street closures, and traffic congestion as if we didn't have a tough enough task driving around the city already.

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