Chicago Park District Teens Race Push Karts on NASCAR Chicago Street Race Grounds


Chicago Park District Teens Race Push Karts on NASCAR Chicago Street Race Grounds

CHICAGO – More than 100 eighth-, ninth- and 10th-graders competed July 3 in the 13th Annual Teen X-Stream Push Kart Derby – sponsored by the Chicago Park District and hosted by the NASCAR Chicago Street Race – on the Chicago Street Race grounds in Grant Park, where NASCAR held its third annual street race July 5-6.

Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa joined NASCAR Street Race President Julie Giese to kick off the Push Kart Derby races. Teens participating in the event built their own push karts during the Chicago Park District summer day camps happening at 20 different parks this year and raced them in a series of heats, leading to the finals later that day. Winners received tickets to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

Over 5,000 teens have competed throughout the Push Kart Derby’s 13-year history. This enduring tradition allows teens to engage with their peers from across the city and to travel outside their neighborhoods, including downtown. This activity is meant to challenge them to collaborate efficiently and to think creatively to build a push kart worthy of a championship. This was the first occasion the race has taken place at Grant Park, exposing teens to Chicago’s historic lakefront and downtown corridors.

“At the Chicago Park District, we create enriching experiences that ensure young people can explore their innate sense of ingenuity and make meaningful connections with each other while recreating in our public green spaces,” said Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO. “Constructing push karts is just one more way that teens learn key collaboration skills and get exposed to fundamental engineering principles while participating in Park District activities. We are thrilled to partner with NASCAR to ensure kids have the resources to turn products of their imagination into functional and exciting forms of recreation.”

“NASCAR Chicago is proud of our ongoing partnership with the Chicago Park District, and we couldn’t think of a better way to showcase that partnership than by hosting the Teen X-Stream Push Kart Derby,” said Julie Giese, President, NASCAR Chicago Street Race. “We might very well have seen the next generation of NASCAR drivers right here in Chicago.”

The Chicago Park District has served Chicago residents for more than 90 years, and is a Gold Medal Award-winning organization, which recognizes excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 9,000 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 12 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, over 75 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertainment programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.



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