The 2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race Delivers and Unforgettable Show in an Urban Setting and Wows Viewers.
The 2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race brought an electrifying fusion of speed and skill to the heart of the Windy City, where the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series converged on a temporary street circuit.
The temporary street track in Chicago was carefully designed to challenge the drivers and showcase their abilities while delivering an exciting race for the fans.
Spanning just over 2 miles through the city's Grant Park, the track featured a combination of long straight lines and tight corners of varying width, demanding precision and adaptability from the pilots. The inclusion of iconic landmarks, such as Lake Shore Drive and Congress Plaza, made it a truly unforgettable experience for all viewers.
Weather conditions played a crucial role in the 2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race added an extra layer of unpredictability to an already challenging race.
Although the Saturday morning began with clear skies providing an ideal setting for the qualifying rounds, the weather progressively worsened through Sunday evening.
As a result, the NASCAR Xfinity Series winner was called after just over half of the laps were completed, and the NASCAR Cup Series had to be delayed multiple times. Nonetheless, the organizers did a fantastic job making the first NASCAR street race a reality (read our prior article with the course overview).
Grant Park 220 - NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series race was a grueling test of endurance. Originally scheduled to have 100 laps, it was shortened to 78 laps after the start time was delayed multiple times due to lightning warnings and flash floods. In the qualifying round, Denny Hamlin was able to secure the pole position, his 50th career pole, putting him in prime spot at the start of the race.
As the Sunday race started, it transformed into a fierce battle for supremacy. Leaders changed as the cars navigated tight corners, straight stretches followed narrowing road segments and ramps punctuated by tire barriers. Turns 1, 2 and 3 proved to be true battle ground where racers aggressively and repeatedly challenged each other for the top spot, while turn 6 claimed multiple crashes.
The first impact with the barrier was on lap 1 when Eric Jones (No. 43), Brad Keselowski (No. 6), and Noah Gragson (No. 42). Noah Gragson “revisited” the barriers at turn 6 a few more times during the race.
Only two laps later, on lap three Kyle Busch (No. 8) crashed into the barrier. Going on the outer edge of the Columbus drive, Kyle Busch lost grip with the wet asphalt and wedged the hood of his Chevy Camaro under the tire barrier. Nonetheless, he continued the race right after he was towed from under the tires.
In these challenging weather and road conditions the ultimate victor was not clear until five laps remained. Coming out of turn 12, Shane van Gisbergen (No. 91) was trailing Justin Haley (No. 31). The next few turns were nothing short of an adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Going into turn 2, van Gisbergen passed Haley on the inside only to be overtaken by Haley shortly after. On turn 3, briefly regained the lead, but by that time van Gisbergen already was on a tighter line and passed No. 31.
The top three remained unchanged for the rest of the race with Shane van Gisbergen (No. 91) ultimately coming in first at the Chicago NASCAR Cup Series, Justin Haley (No. 31) coming in second, and Chase Elliott (No. 9) closing the winning trio.
The Loop 121 - NASCAR Xfinity Series
The NASCAR Xfinity Series race, which took place on Sunday (called the winner) before the Cup Series, was equally captivating. Promising racers went head-to-head to claim the victory on the Chicago Street circuit. Initially scheduled to span a total of 100 laps, this race was shortened due to inclement weather.
In the qualifying round, the top three racers were Cole Custer (No. 00), Sheldon Creed (No. 2), and John Nemechek (No. 20). However, as the race unfolded, a captivating battle between racers ensued against each other and the elements. Ultimately, Cole Custer managed to retain his top spot, followed by John Nemechek and Justin Allgaier (No. 7), who initially placed 6th during the qualifiers.
Cole Custer showcased his remarkable driving skills to claimed victory, leaving a lasting impression on the fans and securing his place as a rising star in the sport.
Of note are the rules invoked to call the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. To win a race, it has to be deemed official, which is usually at the end of Stage 2 or hallway through the race, whichever comes first. However, due to heavy rain, the officials counted this race two laps short of half and 4 laps short of the end of Stage 2. Regardless, Cole Custer (No. 00) maintained his lead over the entire race, leaving little room for speculation about the final winning spot had the full race taken place.
The 2023 inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race will be remembered as a spectacular display of racing prowess, mental resilience, physical endurance and excitement sufficient to overpower the revving engines of the racing cars. It captivated fans with its fusion of high-speed racing and urban charm. Although the temporary street circuit challenged drivers with its intricate layout and changing weather conditions, the series delivered a thrilling and memorable event. We look forward to it becoming part of the regular circuit and welcoming drivers back to Chicago in 2024.
