Grant Park 220
NASCAR made worldwide headlines by hitting the streets of downtown Chicago this weekend. The NASCAR Cup Series race was slightly delayed by historic rains flooding the streets, however, teams got rolling about an hour later than planned.
The action was pretty much what was anticipated. With single-file restarts because of extremely wet conditions, the leader shot ahead. There were multiple incidents with cars into (and under) tire barriers. And passing opportunities seemed to be at a minimum to start.
Fortunately, once teams switched to slicks, the action picked up – in good and bad ways. Passing was able to happen, but with that, more cautions came.
On Lap 46, under one of those cautions, NASCAR made the call to shorten the race by 25 laps due to the sun setting following the late start.
With this, it was game on. The intensity picked up and drivers were fighting for every position.
Rich MARvelous Move of the Race
With five to go, Shane Van Gisbergen and Justin Haley were duking it out as the sun was setting in the Windy City. It seemed with each turn, one took the lead from the other.
But at last, a pivotal moment came, which we at Pit Pass Network deemed the Rich MARvelous Move of the Race.
SVG allowed Haley to pass him so he could perform a cross-over move and rocket ahead of the No. 31 Kauling Racing car.
SHANE VAN GISBERGEN TO THE LEAD!
IT'S HIS FIRST NASCAR RACE! pic.twitter.com/Vm1q6FAop6
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 3, 2023
SVG would still have to hold Haley off for a NASCAR Overtime restart, but that would prove smooth sailing for the three-time SuperCars Champion, who went on to win the Grant Park 220 – his first-ever NASCAR start.
Definitely made the race more exciting.