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10h ago

Van Gisbergen Sweeps Weekend in Chicago as Street Race’s Future Uncertain

The 36-year-old Kiwi clinched both the Loop 110 and Grant Park 165 during NASCAR’s negotiation of 2026–27 renewal with Chicago officials

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Cars in pit row in Grant Park during the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 110 ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • Shane van Gisbergen won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Loop 110 and Sunday’s Cup Series Grant Park 165, becoming the first driver to complete a weekend sweep at Chicago’s Grant Park circuit.
  • Race organizers broadened the fan experience by offering free admission for children 12 and under on both days, adding local restaurant concessions, daylong portable chair rentals and a NASCAR-inspired fashion showcase by Columbia College Chicago students.
  • A post-race burnout by van Gisbergen on the frontstretch generated heavy smoke and narrowly missed a camera operator, drawing fresh scrutiny to safety protocols for celebratory maneuvers.
  • NASCAR and the Chicago Parks Department are in talks over exercising options for 2026–27 under the existing street race agreement or potentially relocating the event to venues like San Diego.
  • After rain disruptions in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 Chicago Street Race enjoyed largely sunny, warm conditions that allowed both events to run their full scheduled distances without weather-related delays.