The premiere race of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend is now underway.
Some rain showers passed through the Chicago area and reached downtown just before the start of the race, but the weather is a far cry from the heavy downpours that forced the race to be postponed and shortened last year.
Forecasts call for dry conditions for most of the 75-lap race, with showers expected to quickly clear from the area after the race begins after 3:30 p.m.
When the drivers started their engines, Shane van Gisbergen and Kyle Larson appeared to be the favorites to win the race.
Van Gisbergen won the Cup Series in Chicago last year and also won the 2024 Xfinity Series race on the downtown street circuit on Saturday, his third straight victory on a street circuit in the NASCAR season.
Larson secured pole position for Sunday’s race during qualifying on Saturday morning, meaning he has the best starting position for the race.
Bubba Wallace is another notable name in NASCAR, racing for 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. Wallace is competing in Sunday’s race, but he said Friday that he knows street racing isn’t his strong suit. Wallace held a black party event in Chicago as part of the weekend of events.