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NASCAR returns to the Windy City this weekend for the second edition of the Grant Park 165. The 75-lap race in downtown Chicago is scheduled for this Sunday (July 7) at 4:30 pm ET.
The 2.2-mile course around Grant Park, Chicago, features 12 turns, most of which are tight 90-degree corners. The circuit begins at Columbus Avenue and heads down the famous Lakeshore Drive. The Cup race will be run over 75 laps covering 165 miles.
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During the inaugural edition of the Chicago Street Race last year, Shane van Gisbergen made a stunning NASCAR debut by winning in the #91 Trackhouse Racing entry. The 3x Supercars champion remains the favorite to defend his race win this season.
Although Gisbergen may appear as the clear favorite, NASCAR Cup drivers are expected to give a strong competition this weekend. Here are five drivers to look out for in the Chicago Street Race.
5 NASCAR drivers to watch out for in the Grant Park 165
#5 Ty Gibbs
The #54 Joe Gibbs Racing driver has demonstrated impressive pace at road courses and is expected to transfer those skills to street course racing. Except for his DNF at Sonoma, he finished in the top five in the previous four road course races.
Ty Gibbs secured a ninth-place finish in the Chicago Street Race last year, showcasing flashes of speed. The 21-year-old is poised to improve his result this season and has a strong chance of clinching his maiden Cup Series victory.
#4 Kyle Larson
The 2021 NASCAR Cup champion, Kyle Larson, recently showed his road course prowess at Sonoma. Among one of the best road course racers on the grid, he is anticipated to provide strong competition to Shane van Gisbergen this weekend.
Larson secured a top-5 finish in the inaugural edition of the race. Although the #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver couldn't match van Gisbergen's pace last year, he is set to return for a highly anticipated matchup this weekend.
#3 Tyler Reddick
Tyler Reddick, the #45 Toyota driver, has established himself as the most successful road course racer in the Cup Series in recent years. He is expected to be a strong contender in the second edition of the Grant Park 165.
Reddick was among the front-runners in the inaugural race, securing second and third-place finishes in the two stages. However, he crashed into the tire barriers and will hope to redeem himself this time around.
#2 Christopher Bell
The #20 Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Christopher Bell, is one of the elite NASCAR road course drivers and is coming to Chicago in tremendous form. Bell could most likely leave the weekend with his fourth win of the season.
Christopher Bell swept both stages in the inaugural edition of the race but met a similar fate as Reddick, colliding with the tire barriers. His 18th-place finish wasn't representative of his result, and he will look to set it right this weekend.
#1 Shane van Gisbergen
The defending winner of the Chicago street race returns to the track, where he was propelled to stardom in the American motorsports scene. After winning the race in the Project 91 car last season, he will be behind the wheel of the #16 Kaulig Chevy this time around.
NASCAR Cup drivers have learned the tricks used by Shane van Gisbergen in street racing over the past year. However, the 3x Supercars champion's expertise on such tracks remains unrivaled, putting him in his element as he seeks his second Cup Series victory.
