Chicago Street Race Will NASCAR's New Crew Chiefs Dominate?

NASCAR Roars into Chicago: A Saturday Spectacle of Speed

The streets of downtown Chicago are set to transform into a high-octane arena this Saturday as NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series take center stage. Get ready for a thrilling day packed with practice, qualifying, and a heart-pounding Xfinity Series race.

Saturday's schedule is jam-packed, promising non-stop action for racing enthusiasts. Here's a detailed look at what's in store:

• Garage Open:
  • Xfinity Series: 8:30 a.m. - midnight
  • Cup Series: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Track Activity:
  • 10:30 - 11:20 a.m. — Xfinity practice (CW App)
  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Xfinity qualifying (CW App)
  • 1 - 1:50 p.m. — Cup practice (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
  • 2 - 3 p.m. — Cup qualifying (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
  • 4:30 p.m. — Xfinity race (50 laps, 110 miles; Stage 1 at Lap 15, Stage 2 at Lap 30; CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

The day culminates in the Xfinity Series race at 4:30 p.m. ET. Drivers will battle it out over 50 laps (110 miles) on the challenging 12-turn, 2.2-mile street circuit. Stage 1 concludes at Lap 15, and Stage 2 at Lap 30, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Last year's Chicago street race saw some incredible performances. Kyle Larson secured the pole position for the Cup Series race and demonstrated his street racing prowess with a third-place finish in the Xfinity race this year. The Xfinity race was won by Shane van Gisbergen, who started from pole position, with Ty Gibbs hot on his tail.

Speaking of impressive performances, let's not forget Denny Hamlin. Despite a change in crew chief this year, partnering with Chris Gayle, his performance mirrors his previous season with Chris Gabehart. This consistency speaks volumes about Hamlin's skill and adaptability.

Weather Outlook: Expect partly cloudy skies with a high of 94 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds will be blowing from the southwest at 10-20 mph. At the start of the Xfinity race, the temperature is expected to be around 92 degrees with no chance of rain.

With a packed schedule, thrilling races, and potentially scorching temperatures, this Saturday's NASCAR event in Chicago is shaping up to be an unforgettable spectacle. Tune in and witness the roar of engines echo through the heart of the Windy City!

Get ready for a day where skill, strategy, and sheer determination will decide who conquers the concrete jungle of Chicago. Good luck to all the drivers!

Tags: NASCAR, Chicago race, Xfinity Series, Cup Series, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Race schedule, Street race, Racing, Auto racing

Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/nascar-saturday-schedule-at-chicago-street-race-july-2025