Alumna Angela Hernandez holds the NASCAR trophy (Photo courtesy of Angela Hernandez)
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race took place in Grant Park on July 6-7, and two DePaul alumni were part of the effort to make it happen.
The Cup Series event was held in Chicago for the first time in 2023 and marked the first time the race had been held on a street circuit. This summer, DePaul graduates Molly Byrne and Angela Hernandez interned with NASCAR to expand the event’s reach in its second year and introduce new and unique racing experiences to fans.
"In our first two years, DePaul students and graduates have contributed immeasurably to the success of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race," says Julie Giese, Chicago Street Race president. "These individuals are not only incredibly talented professionals, but their commitment to our community has helped further our engagement efforts all across the city."
Byrne and Hernandez credit their success to the support and opportunities provided by DePaul. They first learned about the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in a fall sports management class, where they worked on a sponsorship project with the race.
"The network DePaul has in the sports industry is amazing," Hernandez says.
"When NASCAR came to Chicago in 2023, they set a goal to be immersed in Chicago on a year-round basis," Clark says. "Their commitment to DePaul, through class projects on sponsorship and fan engagement, provided students with real-world sports business experiences that impacted the race's overall marketing efforts for the event which took place just a few blocks from DePaul's loop campus."
Internships and experiences
Since graduating from DePaul in June, Byrne has been an intern for NASCAR’s partnerships team. Byrne, who earned a degree in business management with a sports and society concentration, works in client services. This includes both sales prospecting and activation of partnerships.
"We ensure our current sponsors are happy and that their activations come to life as envisioned,” Byrne says. “For instance, our partner Liquid Death had a successful watch party at a local bar, demonstrating activation beyond race week."
Byrne also notes the success of NASCAR's Chicago Street Race, emphasizing its diverse audience and effectiveness in introducing the sport to new fans.
"Last year, 80% of attendees were first-time racegoers, and it was our most diverse race in terms of age, ethnicity, income and gender," she says.
The team’s community engagement included a Juneteenth event in Hyde Park and a visit to Pilsen with driver Daniel Suarez, showcasing NASCAR’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Hernandez, who graduated from the College of Communication, majored in sports communication with a concentration in promotion and publicity. Hernandez grew up near a Joliet racetrack and says the Chicago NASCAR race is a perfect opportunity to introduce the sport to local fans.
"My dad is excited to attend the race, and it’s fantastic to bring a new audience to the city," she shares.
In her internship role, Hernandez works in event experience which involves organizing fan engagement activities and managing logistics.
"We ensure vendors are in place and coordinate events like dinners, handling all aspects of the event experience," she says.
Future aspirations
Both Byrne and Hernandez see their experiences as a launchpad for future careers in sports. Byrne, who hadn’t considered partnerships before, now finds it a viable career path, especially after witnessing the behind-the-scenes efforts to bring large events to life. Hernandez, initially interested in marketing or social media, now sees event experiences as a promising direction thanks to the comprehensive exposure she received during her internship.