NASCAR gives Chicago Street Race teams wet-weather tire option with rain threatening Grant Park 165

The start to Sunday’s Grant Park 165 Chicago Street Race is on hold due to rain in downtown Chicago.

Teams have been told to cover their cars on pit road and NASCAR has given teams the option to put on the wet-weather tires, per Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic. Use of the wet-weather tires is not mandatory as it was at New Hampshire two weeks ago. Each team has six sets of wet-weather tires on hand as NASCAR anticipated the possibility of rain impacting the race.

After pre-race festivities wrapped up, former Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte delivered the command signaling drivers to start their engines. Once engines fired, rain began to fall, and NASCAR designated the track as wet.

Now, teams are faced with whether or not to use the wet-weather tires right from the jump. It’s a tough decision, as it rained enough to make the track damp but not to the point where slicks would be ineffective. However, there are some spots on the track where puddles have formed, such as Turn 11 on Michigan Ave.

This story is developing…