Photography NASCAR In Chicago News

NASCAR Chicago: The race, the rain delay and more from Sunday in photos

Shane Van Gisbergen won the Grant Park 220 to wrap up NASCAR’s first weekend in Chicago. See how Sun-Times photographers’ captured Sunday on NASCAR weekend.

By Rich Hein

NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen (91) fist pumps as he celebrates a victory after winning the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Following rain delays that cut the race short by 25 laps, Shane Van Gisbergen won the Grant Park 220 to wrap up NASCAR’s first weekend in Chicago. The race came down to the final laps as the drivers tried to handle the challenges of a narrow and wet track.

Van Gisbergen’s victory came after the rainiest July 2 on record poured down on the city throughout the morning and afternoon. Once the rain finally let up close to 5 p.m., crews worked to get the race off around 5:37 p.m.

Below, check out how Sun-Times photographers’ captured Sunday on NASCAR weekend.

NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen (91) and his team spray champagne as they celebrate a victory after winning the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen (91) and his team spray champagne as they celebrate a victory after winning the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race

NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen (91) holds up the checkered flag as he celebrates a victory after winning the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen (91) does a burnout to celebrate a victory after winning the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen (91) holds up his arms in victory as he celebrates after winning the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen (91) races by the finish line to win the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Denny Hamlin races past The Spearman statue during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Chicago Street Race Sunday.

NASCAR race cars drive north on East Columbus Plaza Drive during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday.

Corey LaJoie tailgates another NASCAR race car during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday.

Kyle Busch’s car is repaired with duct tape following a crash in to a tire wall at the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

NASCAR race cars climb up Columbus Plaza during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

Fans watch a crash on the screen during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

NASCARs go around on one of the turns at Roosevelt and Columbus in the final lap of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Spectators watch as NASCARs go around one of the turns at Roosevelt and Columbus in the final lap of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Spectators watch as NASCARs go around one of the turns at Roosevelt and Columbus in the final lap of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is covered with umbrellas as he walks through pit road during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

Fans endure the pouring rain prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race Sunday.

NASCAR race cars drive north on East Columbus Plaza Drive during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday, July 2, 2023 in Chicago.

Cars race through Turn 8 on the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023. The NASCAR Cup Series’ Inaugural Grant Park 220 resumed after a hold due to heavy rain and flooding.

Cars race through Turn 8 on the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Cars race through Turn 8 on the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Cars race down S. Michigan Ave during the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023. The NASCAR Cup Series’ Inaugural Grant Park 220 race resumed after a hold due to heavy rain and flooding.

Cars race down S. Michigan Ave during the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Cars race through Turn 8 on the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Cars race down S. Michigan Ave during the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Rain pours on the various NASCAR teams in pit road prior the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

Fans take a photo with NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace in Pit Road.

Fans wait in the stands on the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday, July 2, 2023. The NASCAR Cup Series’ Inaugural Grant Park 220 race was put on hold due to heavy rain and flooding.

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson gives a thumbs up during racer intros.

A NASCAR vehicle drives by pit road during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

Race cars race by during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Attendees show their wrist band to gain access at one of the pedestrian bridges.

Fans watch a replay of three vehicles crashing into a barrier.

A fan walks through a puddle during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

Team of NASCAR driver Noah Gragson unveils his vehicle to being race prep prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Team of NASCAR driver Erik Jones begins race prep prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Team of NASCAR driver Erik Jones and other racers begins race prep prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Team members and fans hold their hand to their chest during the pledge of allegiance.

A NASCAR vehicle drives by pit road during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Jet dryers attempt to dry off the race track prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race Sunday.

Race cars race by during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Race cars race by during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Team of NASCAR driver Noah Gragson unveils his vehicle to being race prep prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race, Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Fans cheer as the green flag is waved to start the race.

Fans endure the pouring rain prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

Fans endure the pouring rain prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

Fans endure the pouring rain prior to the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race.

A person with an umbrella leans on the Parker Chase “Ontivity” #24 car at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday, July 2, 2023 in Chicago.

Pickup trucks with dryers attached make laps on the course to remove the water at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday.

Crews and racers congregate in pit row at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday, July 2, 2023 in Chicago.

A person jumps over a puddle on their way out of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Sunday.

People walk through large puddles to reach the North Entrance of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday.

Members of the Kauling Racing team push water off the top of their tent in the garage area.

People walk to find shelter under the Paddock Club.

People seek shelter under the Paddock Club.

People seek shelter under the Paddock Club.

A person walks through a large puddle south of Buckingham Fountain.

People in ponchos walk towards the track.

Cole Custer’s NASCAR race car is moved out of pit row after winning the Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields speaks to the media.

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