Josh Bilicki car not permitted to qualify for Chicago Street Race, crew member ejected by NASCAR
Josh Bilicki is pulling double duty this weekend, racing in both the Xfinity Series and Cup Series as NASCAR takes its show to the streets of Chicago.
He’s one of nine drivers attempting to race in both events — Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, AJ Allmendinger, Ty Gibbs, John Hunter Nemechek, Daniel Suarez, Shane van Gisbergen and Austin Hill will as well. However, Bilicki was hit with some demoralizing news on Friday evening.
According to FOX’s Bob Pockrass, his No. 66 MBM Motorsports ride failed tech three times, and now he won’t be credited with a qualifying lap, he’ll have to do a pass-through at the start of the race, and he’ll lose a crew member, among other penalties for Sunday’s race.
“In Cup tech, Bilicki (66) won’t be credited with qualifying lap because failed tech three times and also will have to do pass through after start of race and lost crew member and pit selection,” Pockrass posted on X, revealing Bilicki’s plight. “Everyone else good on first or second try.”
That’s certainly not the way Bilicki was hoping to begin the all-important weekend. Now, he’ll be relying on his experience to guide him, as he’s entering Chicago with 99 Xfinity starts in his career, and 99 Cup Series races, as well. He’ll be looking for a solid performance in both races over the weekend, even with the penalties he’s received.
Time will tell if he can overcome the odds, but it’s a less-than-stellar beginning to a weekend in the Windy City for Josh Bilicki and MBM Motorsports.
Kevin Harvick predicts winner of NASCAR Chicago Street Race, longshot to win
Elsewhere, Kevin Harvick and the Harvick’s Happy Hour crew are locking in their predictions, as the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Chicago for the Grant Park 165
The favorite for Sunday’s race is Shane van Gisbergen, last season’s surprise winner of the event. Harvick believes it’s SVG’s race to lose once again in 2024, but he’s adding an interesting long shot to his prediction.
“You know who I’m picking, I think he’s going to win again. I think SVG is going to win again,” Harvick stated, riding with the New Zealander. “I think the long shot is Justin Haley.”
Kaitlyn Vincie agreed with Harvick, riding with SVG as well, but Mamba Smith took Harvick’s Haley prediction one step further, believing the Rick Ware Racing wheelman would win the race in Chicago.
“I’m picking Justin Haley to win this race,” Smith said, regarding last season’s runner-up in Chicago. “He put himself into a situation last year to win it, and actually I changed my mind because you got me fired up because you used him as a secondary pick.
“Originally I was going to pick Tyler Reddick, because I thought it was redemption time, because he was actually the only one who could keep up with SVG, and he has ties to Chicago, Illinois. You know, Jumpman. But I think I’m going Justin Haley.”
While a victory from Shane van Gisbergen would be awesome, it wouldn’t have the affect on the playoff standings that Justin Haley getting to Victory Lane would. Time will tell if any of the Harvick’s Happy Hour crew are correct, but they’re certainly making some interesting picks for this weekend’s race.