NASCAR rain delay today, July 2 update: Chicago Street Race

NASCAR’s debut of the Chicago Street Race has been impacted by rain all weekend. Here’s the latest for July 2.

So far, the first-ever street race in NASCAR history has been a great experience for fans in person, those watching on TV, and as much as Chicagoans don’t want to admit it, awesome for the city.

While shutting down streets has been a massive inconvenience, the weekend has played out as a several-day-long advertisement for the city.

The only downside? The weather, which has been miserable all week in the Windy City. First, air quality was horrendous earlier this week due to Canadian wildfire smoke pollution. Then, since Friday, it’s been raining off and on.

Here’s the latest on how that impacts Sunday’s NASCAR events.

Is NASCAR canceled today?

NASCAR at Grant Park for the first-ever Chicago Street Race is on, at least for the Cup Series. With standing water remaining well into the afternoon and the Xfinity race yet to complete, a decision was made to cancel the Xfinity race and turn attention to Grant Park 220 in order to make sure the main event was able to continue.

NASCAR rain delay today update: July 2 at Grant Park Chicago

This post will be updated with more information as it becomes available.

1:45 p.m. CT update: The Xfinity race has been canceled. NASCAR said in a statement, “With standing water and flooding a significant issue at the racetrack and throughout the city, there was no option to return to racing prior to shifting to NASCAR Cup Series race operations.”
Cole Custer was declared the winner after just 25 laps. 

10:50 a.m. CT update: Xfinity drivers are in their vehicles as the track is getting dried off. 

Folks, it is coming down out there. This is what my grandmother would describe as, “raining cats and dogs.”

11:10 a.m. CT update: Standing water is still on the track, and some drivers are getting out of their cars. The cleanup efforts appear to have been more difficult than anticipated.

Clearly, cars are not going to race in this weather. While they are equipped with tires and flashing lights for light rain this weekend at the Chicago Street Race, downpours are another thing entirely. Especially considering the rare proximity to pedestrians and buildings for this race, NASCAR is going to play it safe.

According to NASCAR, gates will open at 10:15 a.m. central time, and the Xfinity race from Saturday will resume at 10:30 a.m.

Squeezing in the Xfinity race in this window is paramount to get the day moving and also get the highly-anticipated Cup Series race in as well. The Cubs have already bumped their planned 1:20 p.m. game this afternoon to 4:05 p.m., which indicates the weather intel in the early afternoon is not great.

The Cup Series is slated to start at 5:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m. local time.