DOWNTOWN — NASCAR’s primary race via Grant Park is enduring rain delays Sunday, the second time the Chicago Road Race has confronted climate points in as a few years.
After Saturday’s The Loop 110 race noticed pristine circumstances, the beginning of Sunday’s Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Sequence Race confronted a roughly half hour delay as a consequence of rain storms passing via Downtown. After Stage 1 of Sunday’s race, drivers have been ordered to pit highway as a consequence of further rain storms.
The 2 races make up the Chicago Road Race, the controversial NASCAR racing sequence that debuted Downtown final yr and likewise noticed setbacks as a consequence of rain. Final yr’s marquee race was severely delayed earlier than being shortened as a consequence of climate circumstances.
Sunday’s race, the principle occasion within the race sequence, was set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. however was delayed as drivers switched out their tires. Sunday’s forecast referred to as for a line of “gusty storms” to maneuver via Chicago, intermittently via the afternoon, in accordance with the Nationwide Climate Service.
Sunday’s primary occasion kicked off with an look from Mayor Brandon Johnson, who wearing a racing swimsuit and was boo’d whereas chatting with the gang.
Stage 1 of Sunday’s race ended below a yellow flag, with the second stage delayed as a consequence of inclement climate. The second stage was set to begin after 7 p.m. Sunday.
NASCAR introduced its race will finish by 8:20 p.m. Central Commonplace Time even when it incurs additional rain delays.
Amid the rain, Jose from North Chicago saved his head dry with a large foam hand.
“It’s my first time right here, I adore it!” he stated.
As to the rain, he simply shrugged it off. “It’s Chicago.”
Shane van Gisbergen received Saturday’s The Loop 110 race after successful final yr’s primary occasion within the Chicago Road Race. The New Zealander raced in Sunday’s occasion earlier than exiting the race as a consequence of a crash.
Race goers on Saturday have been handled to 76-degree climate and sunny skies, with many first-time NASCAR attendees taking within the race and leisure together with Buddy Man and The Black Keys.
This yr’s concessions not function six-pack beer packages, which ranged final yr from $63 for six-packs of Busch Mild and Michelob Extremely to $72 for Jack Daniel’s and Coca Cola six-packs.
On Saturday, followers might go for single cans of beers, seltzers and wine, starting from $9.95 to $12.95. Beer is about 55 cents dearer than final yr.
NASCAR returned to Grant Park this weekend after final yr’s first-ever Downtown race.
Final yr, torrential downpours canceled virtually all the scheduled live performance occasions and shortened each of the races. The race was additionally controversial amongst Downtown residents; in a post-event survey, many neighbors stated they didn’t need it to return.
Johnson and NASCAR officers prolonged its contract to carry the race sequence again this yr.
Attracting simply over 79,000 attendees — wanting the 100,000 attendance prediction — the 2023 sequence generated $109 million in financial exercise and $8.3 million in native and state taxes, in accordance with an financial impression report.
Beneath the contract with the town, NASCAR can come again for a 3rd yr with an choice to renew for 2 further years. The contract permits for a 180-day termination clause both aspect can activate.
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