NASCAR Chicago Street Race on hold due to track conditions

While the Cup Series Chicago Street Race was set to start just after 5:00 PM EST, the race is on hold as NASCAR assesses the track conditions. The city of Chicago has been hit with more than a month’s worth of rain in the last 24 hours or so. In other words, there is water all over the place and NASCAR is trying its best to clear the track.

NASCAR made the decision on Sunday to call the Xfinity Series race. The Loop 121 was declared an official race and Cole Custer the winner. Now the goal is to get the Cup Series race on the track and hopefully, have a full race.

Just as teams were putting rain tires onto the cars, the call came down. The race is on hold as officials look at the track conditions and determine if it is safe to race. Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports shared the news on Twitter.

Opening ceremonies complete. They are moving into a hold because of track conditions.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 2, 2023

Drivers have already been told to get back to their haulers as they wait for the race to start.

NASCAR has the option to race on Monday. However, anything past that is a no-go. Chicago has to get their streets back at one point or another. So, work will continue as they try to get this race started some way, somehow.

Could NASCAR push Chicago race to Monday?

There would be one person in NASCAR that doesn’t mind a Chicago race on Monday. That would be Denny Hamlin. The pole winner was on Twitter as drivers made their way to their cars. He pleaded with NASCAR to push the race to Monday.

So, why would the pole winner want to wait and see for tomorrow? Hamlin’s logic is that tomorrow is going to be a better weather day. Put on the best race that you can and hope to salvage this weekend. While there was a lot of promise and excitement to start, that has washed away with the rainfall.

No matter what I just hope that we get a complete race. So, what are the chances of that happening on Sunday versus Monday? I’m not sure, but if that is what it takes, so be it.

Before NASCAR gets going they will make sure this course is ready for the race. When that decision is made is still up in the air. For now, we will remain patient and hope for the best. No matter what your expectations heading into the race were, this is the worst-case scenario.

All of that work into the concerts and the festival outside, not to mention the race itself seems to be for naught now that the rain has taken over.