What’s Happening?

For the third consecutive year, the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series head to the streets of Chicago for its annual street road course. Weather has been a key factor in this race in the past so whether you’re going to the track or not, let’s take a look at the forecast heading into this weekend.

• The Chicago Street Course has become something of a July 4th weekend tradition in recent years. One of the more unique road courses on the NASCAR schedule, it is located in the heart of downtown Chicago, brining close, hard-nosed racing to the big city once a year.
• This being the last year in NASCAR’s contract with the City of Chicago, it could be the last race for the venue. NASCAR has reportedly looked at other metropolitan locales to host the race in the future.
• In the past, this race was plagued with weather delays. In 2023, the race was delayed several hours due to standing water on the track. Shane van Gisbergen went on to win that rain-drenched clash. As daylight started to become an issue, the race was shortened by 22 laps. The following year, the race was again shortened by 17 laps due to darkness.

Weekend Weather Forecast via the National Weather Service (All Listed Times MT)

Saturday, July 5: Xfinity Series The Loop 110 on The CW (TV) & MRN (Radio) – 3:30 PM

Before the Race (9 AM – 3 PM)

• Temperature: High of 91°F at 1 PM
• Precipitation: 17% chance from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Wind: 16 mph

During the Race (3:30 PM – 7:30 PM)

• Temperature: High of 92°F at 3:30
• Precipitation: 20% chance from 3:30 PM to 6: 30 PM
• Wind: 14 mph

After the Race (7:30 PM – 12 AM)

• Temperature: Low of 75°F at 9 PM
• Precipitation: 50% after 10 PM
• Wind: Between 10 – 15 mph

Sunday, July 6: Cup Series Grant Park 165 on TNT (TV) & MRN (Radio) – 2 PM

Before the Race (7 AM – 2 PM)

• Temperature: High of 82°F at 12 PM
• Precipitation: 24%
• Wind: Between 5 – 10 mph

During the Race (2 PM – 7 PM)

• Temperature: High of 82°F between 2 PM – 4 PM
• Precipitation: 24%
• Wind: Between 5 – 10 mph

After the Race (7 PM – 12 AM)

• Temperature: Low of 70°F
• Precipitation: 24%
• Wind: Between 5 – 10 mph

Recent Weather Events at the Chicago Street Course

Both of the races held at this circuit in the past have been affected by Mother Nature. In 2023, during the inaugural event, the race was postponed due to rainstorms and drainage issues. Only 78 of the scheduled 100 laps were completed due to reproaching darkness. In that event, Shane van Gisbergen went on to capture his first career NASCAR Cup Series race. This launched a NASCAR career for the New Zealand-born driver.

For the 2024 running of the event, the race was proactively shortened. Rather than a scheduled 100 laps, the distance was reduced to 75 laps. Still, weather plagued the event. After another lengthy rain delay, the race was again shortened further with darkness in mind. In the 2024 race, only 58 of the scheduled 75 laps were run. Alex Bowman won that race.

The 2025 edition of the race is once again scheduled at a distance of 75 laps. Weather looks a little more promising going into this weekend’s event compared to years past. Regardless, the track record of lengthy rain delays for this race is still in the back of our minds

Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.