In a thrilling NASCAR Cup Series debut, Shane van Gisbergen conquered the rain-soaked streets of Chicago, outmaneuvering Justin Haley and Chase Elliott to secure victory in the series' inaugural street race.
The three-time Supercars champion, hailing from New Zealand, showcased his exceptional driving skills in the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing's Project 91, an initiative aimed at expanding the team's global presence. Van Gisbergen's win was orchestrated with the guidance of veteran crew chief Darian Grubb, who previously led Tony Stewart to a Cup Series championship in 2011.
The race, originally slated for 100 laps, was cut short due to dwindling daylight following a significant rain delay that submerged the track. The downpour also led to the cancellation of the remaining portion of the Xfinity Race, which had been suspended the previous day due to lightning.
The inclement weather prompted pole-sitter Denny Hamlin to advocate for a postponement on social media, while Noah Gragson shared a video of a tire afloat on pit road. NASCAR ultimately allowed drivers to seek shelter in their transporters until conditions improved.
Despite the eventual clearing of the weather, lingering puddles posed a challenge as the race commenced. Even as the track began to dry and teams switched to slick tires, plumes of water erupted whenever a car collided with the tire barriers. Several drivers, including Gragson, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Hamlin, Elliott, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Bubba Wallace, experienced incidents involving the tire walls.
A major multi-car collision involving 14 vehicles occurred on lap 50, further adding to the drama of the historic Chicago street race.
