Streetsblog New York City

Gridlock Sam warns of widespread "pedlock and "traffic wrath" today. Not helping matters was this morning's NASCAR Victory Lap around Times Square, conveniently timed to coincide with the morning rush.

Times Square will serve as one big pit stop for NASCAR's annual Victory Lap Wednesday, starting at 44thSt. between Broadway and Sixth Ave. and proceeding via the following route: 44th St., Broadway, 42nd St., Madison Ave, 53rd St. and Seventh Ave./Broadway, and ending between 43rd and 42nd Sts. outside the Hard Rock Cafe. Between 8:30a.m. and 9:30a.m., there will be rolling closures on the above streets, with 44th St. closed from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Traffic will be affected throughout the day.

Fear not, New York City, 2007 may very well be the last year of NASCAR's annual Midtown celebration of laundry detergent, motor oil and the lunacy of American car culture. Tom Bowles at Sports Illustrated writes: 

After 27 years in the Big Apple, strong rumors persist that this week-long celebration at the Waldorf will be NASCAR's last; the event appears ready and raring to shift to the bright lights of Vegas for 2008 and beyond.

On paper, it seems a smart move; with a race track already nearby and the shrewd promotion of octogenarian track owner Bruton Smith, the city will doubtless embrace NASCAR with open arms.

"I think we've worn out our welcome in New York," said Smith

Correct.

Photo: Photo Gallery / Flickr