CHICAGO — NASCAR is crossing its fingers for a sunnier, drier time on the streets of Chicago in 2024.
The series inaugural weekend in downtown Chicago last year saw both the Xfinity and Cup series events shortened due to wet weather. New Zealand's Shane Van Gisbergen won the Cup Series street race in 2023, which was shortened from 100 to 78 laps because of early rain and pending darkness.
Joey Logano enters off a victory at Nashville this past week.
Logano worked overtime — 31 extra laps — and withstood nearly running out of fuel to win the Ally 400 at Nashville Speedway last week. It was the two-time series champion's first victory of the season and locked him into the playoffs to try for a third title.
Logano did win NASCAR's All-Star race at North Wilkesboro two months ago. Zane Smith was second, Tyler Reddick third, Ryan Preece fourth and Chris Buescher fifth.
NASCAR CUP SERIES
The Grant Park 165.
Site: Chicago.
Schedule: Saturday practice, 12:30 p.m., qualifying, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday race, 4:30 p.m. (NBC).
Track: Chicago Street Course.
Race distance: 75 laps, 165 miles.
Last year: New Zealand's Shane Van Gisbergen made NASCAR history when he became the first to win his Cup Series debut since Johnny Rutherford in 1963 when he won a rain-shortened event at Chicago. The race went just 78 of the scheduled 100 laps because of a late start and impending darkness. Justin Haley finished second with Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch rounding out the top five.
FAST FACTS: The race at Nashville went five overtimes and 31 addition laps past the 300 planned. It ended more than six hours after it began. That also encompassed a lengthy rain delay. ... Larson remains on top in the driver standings, 20 points ahead of Rick Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott. Denny Hamlin is third. ... Larson, Hamlin, William Byron and Christopher Bell all have a series-best three victories this season. ... Martin Truex Jr., in his final season of full-time racing, is fifth and the first driver without a win in the playoff grid. ... Logano's win means 11 drivers have victories this season with just five spots for points qualifiers. There are seven events left in the regular season, which concludes with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1.
NEXT RACE: July 13, Pocono, Pennsylvania.
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