NASCAR calls The Loop 121 Xfinity race at Chicago amid severe weather, names winner

NASCAR made the decision Sunday to rule the Xfinity Series’ The Loop 121 Chicago Street Race official due to significant flooding on the street course.

Cole Custer, who sat on the pole and led each of the 25 laps run Saturday before the race was postponed to Sunday, was declared the victor. The win is Custer’s second of the 2023 season. NASCAR made the decision to call off the race rather than returning Monday just two laps shy of being halfway, of which the race would have become official. NASCAR cited “unprecedented circumstances” in declaring Custer the winner.

NASCAR statement on calling the Xfinity race official just a couple laps short of halfway: pic.twitter.com/EI71rUkk1g

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 2, 2023

“With standing water and flooding a significant issue at the race track and throughout the city, there was no option to return to racing prior to shifting to NASCAR Cup Series operations,” NASCAR said in a statement. “Throughout the entire planning process for the Chicago Street Race, our relationship with the city of Chicago has been strong and among the most valuable assets in reaching this historic weekend. In the spirit of that partnership, returning on Monday for the completion of a NASCAR Xfinity Series event two laps short of halfway was an option we chose not to employ. Based on several unprecedented circumstances, NASCAR has made the decision to declare Cole Custer the winner of the race.”

Even though the race fell short of the halfway point, NASCAR awarded full race points, as well as Stage 2 points despite it not being completed, per Jeff Gluck of The Athletic.

The race was originally scheduled to resume at 11 a.m. ET Sunday. It became clear this morning, however, that an 11 a.m. start time wouldn’t be realistic. NASCAR continued pushing the race start time back as lightning and rain continued steady throughout the morning.

Will NASCAR Cup Series’ Chicago Street Race start on time?

All eyes turn to the NASCAR Cup Series’ Grant Park 220, which is scheduled for a 5:05 p.m. ET start time. NASCAR has the ability to race Monday if track conditions don’t improve, but not Tuesday.

Denny Hamlin will lead the field to green after winning the pole during Saturday’s qualifying session. Hamlin leads off while Tyler Reddick, Shane van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell and Daniel Suárez round out the top-5. Michael McDowell, Kyle Larson, Jenson Button, Joey Logano, and AJ Allmendinger are the rest of the top-10.

“It’s a lot of fun when you can have days like today,” Hamlin said, via Reid Spencer of NASCAR.com. “Obviously, our Yahoo Camry is just super strong. I like where we’re at.”