NASCAR haulers have arrived in downtown Chicago, signaling the start of the third edition of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in Grant Park. The anticipation is palpable as drivers and their teams prepare for a unique racing experience.
Returning to the 2.2-mile, 12-turn course, the world’s top stock car drivers are eager to face the challenges that this street race presents. Unlike any other event on their schedule, this race demands precision and skill, regardless of weather conditions.
"This track's definitely very challenging in its own way," NASCAR driver Joey Logano remarked. "When you look at turns 1 and 6, you have no runoff. There aren't many street courses where you have long straightaways with literally no runoff. The risk is huge; cars can go straight into the tire barrier. You can't afford to make mistakes here."
Shane Van Gisbergen, a street race specialist from New Zealand, has fond memories of his time in Chicago over the past two years. He won the inaugural Cup Series race in 2023 and is set to compete again this weekend, aiming for a second consecutive victory in the Xfinity race, The Loop 120.
Practice sessions are scheduled for Saturday morning, with qualifying for The Loop 120 kicking off at 10:35 a.m. The race itself is set for 3:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Cup Series race, known as the Grant Park 165, will start earlier this year at 1 p.m. Drivers are hopeful that they can complete all 75 laps for the first time, as previous races were cut short due to rain.
As excitement builds for this weekend's events, fans and participants alike are ready to witness what promises to be another thrilling chapter in NASCAR's history at Grant Park.
