The first NASCAR Xfinity Series race on the street course in downtown Chicago has been suspended until Sunday because of lightning. Cole Custer led each of the first 25 laps Saturday before the delay because of a lightning strike in the area. John Hunter Nemechek was second, followed by Justin Allgaier, Brett Moffitt and Austin Hill.
As showers and thunderstorms were forecast to continue into the evening, a few die-hard NASCAR fans waited outside the entrance gates to NASCAR’s street race Sunday morning, wondering why they weren’t allowed inside to take cover under the large event tents. “Even when it’s raining they let you in, take shelter under the bleachers,” said Matthew McGivney of Indiana, who said he was surprised .
Welcome to the new rush hour in Chicago. The city will transform the Grant Park environs into the first NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 2, with separate events on July 1 as well. The televised Cup Series event will have NASCAR drivers weaving through the park on closed-off streets lined with temporary fences, grandstands and what promoters hope will be thousands of fans. Here’s everything .