The NASCAR Chicago Avenue Race, which bundled Brad Keselowski driving the Elk Grove Village-sponsored Makers Desired Ford Mustang No. 6, was a soaked and wild affair, which Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson stated gave the village just the exposure they were searching for.

The function reportedly produced the greatest Tv set ratings NASCAR has witnessed in 6 yrs. Studies say the function drew an all round audience of 4.8 million viewers, and towards the stop of the race, saw a peak of 5.38 million viewing.

Elk Grove Village paid out for two Television set commercials and one sponsored “mention” by television commentators with the village’s Makers Wished symbol shown on the display screen.

The very first business aired soon just after Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, the race grand marshal, uttered people most famed phrases in racing: “Gentlemen commence your engines.” Johnson stated that advertisement placement designed for primetime publicity for the village.

The second business came later in the race when the commentators mention came toward the end soon after a large pileup on the observe.

Johnson explained Wednesday, there had not nonetheless been any nibbles of desire from individuals seeing the race. He and village officials hope to see an additional sponsorship, like the one particular from the village’s sponsorship of the Bahamas Bowl when a leading official with Love’s Travel Stops watching the video game saw an Elk Grove Village commercial, which piqued his interest. A couple of many years afterwards, a new prototype Love’s Vacation Cease opened on Busse Street in the village’s company park, bringing tax profits to the village that Johnson estimates at $1 million per yr. 

Johnson reported immediately after the race, family members users and village workers advised him they read from friends from as far away as the East Coastline who claimed viewing the Elk Grove Village Makers Wished commercials. In the weeks ahead of the race, village trustees authorised an further $50,000 on leading of the $400,000 internet marketing agreement to have the commercials run nationally for the duration of Sunday’s race.  

By the conclude of the late-beginning race, Keselowski came in 24th spot out of a subject of 37 motorists. Sunday’s race commenced late for the reason that of rain and ended early for the reason that of darkness with only 78 of 100 laps done.

Because of moist pavement, the race ran slower than most other NASCAR races with an normal velocity of 60.2 mph. The vehicles started out on what have been nearer to frequent avenue tires when the track was nonetheless soaked, prior to switching to “slicks,” which are tires with no tread.

In a movie posted in advance of the race on Keselowski’s Fb web page, the driver and operator of RFK Racing claimed, “It’s my initially time in Chicago. I’m seeking to be wise, I really don’t want to wreck, it will be super simple to get into trouble” on the Chicago course. 

There had been a variety of crashes during the race, including just one involving the Makers Wanted No. 6 early on. For most, like the 1 in which Keselowski’s vehicle became pinned concerning two others, cars involved in Sunday’s crashes sustained light-weight problems, and in most scenarios ongoing to race.  

Elk Grove Village has a two-yr sponsorship with Keselowski’s RFK Racing and the internet marketing company Banner Collective with an choice for a 3rd 12 months. 

The Makers Required No. 6 appeared at a number of events main up to the race, and was most lately witnessed at Tuesday’s (July 4) KC and the Sunshine Band concert and fireworks at Rotary Green.

The Chicago Road Race, centered in and around Grant Park, was the 1st to just take put on present metropolis streets in NASCAR’s 75-yr historical past.

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