NASCAR Chicago Street Race: Qualifying Results, Starting Grid & How to Watch

Shane van Gisbergen Dominates Chicago Street Race Qualifiers

Every year, when the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Chicago street course, it's a chance for drivers to showcase their skills on a challenging and unpredictable track. This year was no different, as Shane van Gisbergen once again proved why he’s one of the most formidable competitors in the field.

During the qualifiers for the Chicago Street Race, van Gisbergen comfortably secured the pole position with his No. 88 Trackhouse Chevy, joining Michael McDowell on the front row. His performance was a clear demonstration of his dominance, leaving many of his rivals in the dust.

Denny Hamlin and Others Face Early Setbacks

Before the official qualifying even began, practice sessions were already filled with drama. The tight walls of the Chicago street course made it a dangerous place for drivers, with several teams suffering setbacks.

In the opening moments of practice, Denny Hamlin's car went off the track and ended up stranded. Hamlin emerged from the cockpit without his helmet, inspecting the damage. It turned out to be a blown engine, which immediately put him behind the eight ball.

Meanwhile, William Byron, who had shown strong performance in practice, faced a major setback when he hit the wall and caused significant damage to his car. This issue also affected his teammate, Chase Elliott, preventing both drivers from posting a qualifying time.

More Drivers Hit the Wall in Qualifiers

The challenges of the Chicago street course continued into the actual qualifying session. Several drivers found themselves hitting the walls, resulting in damage that impacted their chances of making the race.

Noah Gragson, who had been among the faster drivers during practice, struggled in qualifying. He ended up damaging his car twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of the session, forcing him to limp back to the garage.

Katherine Legge, who was not guaranteed a spot in the race, also faced difficulties. She hit the wall while trying to secure a final spot, but her damage was minor. On the next lap, she managed to post a time that earned her a place in the race, thanks in part to Corey Heim’s own misfortune.

Bubba Wallace had a tough time during qualifying. He nearly spun around and almost took out two other cars before managing to regain control. In the closing moments, he backed into the tire barrier, adding to his struggles.

Brad Keselowski also faced issues, bouncing off the turn 7 tire barrier but managing to escape without serious damage to his car.

Chase Briscoe Challenges van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen made history by winning the inaugural Chicago Street Race on his first NASCAR attempt. Although he was likely the fastest last year, a crash not of his making cost him the chance to defend his title.

During this year’s qualifiers, van Gisbergen was initially the fastest, but a surprising moment came when Chase Briscoe overtook him. Briscoe, who had previously crashed into van Gisbergen last season, briefly held the top spot. However, van Gisbergen quickly reclaimed the lead, putting six tenths of a second on Briscoe and solidifying his dominance.

Corey Heim Misses the Race

One of the most dramatic moments of the weekend came when Corey Heim, the Truck Series points leader, failed to qualify for the race. With 41 drivers competing for 40 spots, there was always a chance someone would be left out.

Heim, driving for 23XI Racing, spent most of his qualifying session dealing with a damaged car that lacked pace. His struggles were compounded by a late-race incident that ultimately saw him miss the race. On his birthday, Heim was sent home, with Katherine Legge securing the final spot in the field.

How to Watch the Chicago Street Race

The third (and possibly final) Chicago Street Race will take place on Sunday at around 2:00 p.m. ET. The event will be broadcast on TNT in the United States. Fans can catch all the action and find detailed information about how to watch the race on various platforms.

Official Starting Lineup for the Grant Park 165

Here is the official starting lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165:

• Did Not Qualify: Corey Heim
• Updates: Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson will start at the back due to repairs.

This race promises to be an exciting showdown, with van Gisbergen looking to maintain his dominance and others vying for a chance to challenge him.