Critical Path Security 6 Drivers to Watch: Chicago

Happy Fourth of July readers! Here’s to a great weekend of fireworks, grilling out, and some street course racing. NASCAR heads to the streets of Chicago for the third straight season. In the previous two iterations of this event, rain has put a damper on things. Looking ahead at the forecast, guess what is the only day that has a chance for rain? Hopefully, the rain can remain out of the city limits to finally allow this race to run the full distance. Both the Cup and Xfinity Series will feature some road course ringers in the field. Notably, the Cup Series will have its first DNQ in a non-Daytona 500 race since 2018. For this Fourth of July, who will be the Critical Path Security 6 Drivers to Watch in Chicago?

Will this be the final street course race to take place in Chicago? There are rumors that NASCAR is looking at San Diego for a potential street course for next year’s schedule. While nothing is impossible, it would be difficult to believe that NASCAR will host two different street course events. If this is the final iteration (for now) of the Chicago Street Course, how would you evaluate its success? That question might not be answerable until after this weekend, especially if it is the first dry race weekend. However, Chicago thus far has offered both positives and negatives. Calling it a mixed bag feels too pessimistic but can it be considered a success? Maybe this weekend will help shine a light on that.

Grant Park 165

Shane van Gisbergen

After putting on a master class down in Mexico, the feeling is that the Grant Park 165 is Shane van Gisbergen vs the field. Who will you be taking? Shane van Gisbergen is the clear favorite heading into Chicago. Afterall, he did win his debut race there and looked strong before wrecking out last year. Something about the street course agrees with van Gisbergen’s style of road racing. It is controlled aggression, where the New Zealander is able to push his car to the limit without barreling into the walls or tires.

Despite the overwhelming feeling that SVG is inevitable this weekend, he could be vulnerable to the field. Ty Gibbs certainly looked to be competition in Mexico City before a timely caution. Kyle Larson has given SVG a run for his money at Chicago as well. It might not be as cut and dry as it seems. Of course, the weather/darkness factor could completely throw a wrench into strategy as well. If the Grant Park 165 turns out to be a straight competition for speed, then Shane van Gisbergen will likely find victory lane again. Hopefully, it will be an entertaining watch to see if anyone can challenge SVG.

Bubba Wallace

To call Bubba Wallace’s 2025 a roller coaster would be an understatement. Every time the 23 team finds consistency, a run of bad races completely ruins it. Although early in the year Wallace would salvage poor results with stage points, recently the bad runs have little redeeming qualities. After 3 straight DNFs from Texas through Charlotte, Wallace rattled off 3 races of 12th or better. However, the past 2 races has seen Wallace get caught up in trouble. At Pocono, a brake failure ended his day early. Last week, the 23 car got collected in multiple wrecks.

In previous seasons, the arrival of a road course would be doom for Bubba Wallace. However, Wallace has worked diligently to improve his skills on these tracks. While Wallace still is not a superior road racer, he certainly is no longer a complete liability. At Mexico City, Wallace finished 12th. Meanwhile, he qualified second at COTA. Last year Chicago, the 23XI driver started 6th and finished in a respectable 13th. Could a road course help break Wallace’s recent struggles? Perhaps, especially in terms of gathering points. Between the bad results and new winners, Wallace sits on the cutline and under threat of dropping out with a new winner. Look for Wallace to qualify well and score stage points while others flip the stage.

Austin Cindric

Since winning at Talladega, Austin Cindric has not been able to find consistent results. Over the past 8 races, Cindric has only collected a single Top-10 (Pocono). While he has led 73 laps during that time, 60 of those were at Texas and seldomly has he scored stage points. Coming off a DNF at Atlanta, the Penske driver will look to gain some momentum heading into the playoffs at Chicago.

Despite his road racing background, it is difficult to say where to grade Austin Cindric among the road racers. In theory, he should be strong at these tracks. The statistics sort of support that. Over 22 starts on road courses, Cindric is averaging a 13.1 finish with 9 Top-10s. However, Cindric has only led 20 laps in those 22 starts and rarely finds himself in a position to win. For a driver with a road racing background (and Xfinity success), you would think he would find himself near the front more. With that said, Chicago has been a strength for Austin Cindric. Although his qualifying efforts have been mediocre, the man has finished no worse than 15th. Winning seems unlikely, but a solid run should be in the cards. Could Cindric be the best finishing Ford this weekend?

The Loop 110

Carson Kvapil

When considering the JR Motorsports fleet heading into a road course, Carson Kvapil might not be the first name that pops into mind for someone to watch. Obviously, Connor Zilisch has shown off his skills on the road courses early in his NASCAR career. Justin Allgaier is no slouch either. Plus, Shane van Gisbergen is making a spot start in JRM’s 9 car. However, Carson Kvapil has impressed in his first 2 road course starts this season. Arguably, without contact from Zilisch, Kvapil might have picked up a win at COTA. Mexico City was a bit more challenging, although Kvapil qualified fourth.

Carson Kvapil’s rookie season has been a strong one, despite being overshadowed by his teammate. Currently sitting 6th in points, Kvapil is relatively safe in terms of making the playoffs. However, winning would be a nice way to bolster an already impressive year. With SVG and Zilisch competing in Chicago, it is doubtful he will win this weekend. However, stranger things have happened and the Xfinity usually sees unexpected names near the front. For example, Kvapil at COTA. If Kvapil and the 1 team can manage the race right, then he could have a shot. Heading into a new road course has not stumbled the rookie yet, so watch out for him to put together another strong performance.

Christian Eckes

From one surprising road course performer to another, Christian Eckes seemingly has found his stride in the Xfinity Series. After a rough start to his rookie campaign, Eckes is heading into Chicago on a stretch of 3 Top-10s in 5 races. One of those Top-10s was a fourth place finish in Mexico City. That marked his second Top-5 on a road course this season. With Chicago this weekend, Eckes will be looking to make it a perfect 3 for 3 in Top-5s in road races this season.

Christian Eckes’ efforts on the road courses this year comes especially surprising since his Truck Series days did not include much success. Sure, he had 2 Top-5s at Mid-Ohio. However, he only collected 3 Top-10s in his other 8 road course starts. In a series where there are few solid road racers, that is not an impressive number. However, Eckes has clearly learned from the Kaulig Racing camp how to improve his road racing abilities. It must be nice having AJ Allmendinger as a mentor for these races. With Eckes looking to secure a spot in the playoffs, another strong run on a road course is what he needs. Although the attention will be mostly paid to SVG and Zilisch, Christian Eckes will be a name to watch as an upset driver to win.

Kaz Grala

Kaz Grala returns to a NASCAR sanctioned event for the first time this season. After serving as the anchor driver for Rick Ware Racing’s 15 car, Grala went through silly season without finding a ride. Early in this season, it was announced that Grala would serve as a reserve/sim driver for Legacy Motor Club. Now, the Boston native makes his first of 3 Xfinity Serie starts with Sam Hunt Racing. Grala is very familiar with Sam Hunt Racing. Back in 2023, he drove their 26 entry fulltime. During that season, Grala put up respectable numbers while finishing 17th in points.

Grala returning to Sam Hunt Racing on a road course should serve him well. In his lone Chicago Xfinity start, Grala piloted the 26 car to a Top-10. Road racing is a strength of Grala. Remember his Cup Series debut arrived in 2020 while filling in for Austin Dillon at the Daytona Road Course. In the 3 car, Grala managed to nab a Top-10. While expectations should not be too high for the part-time driver, it would not be a surprise to see him run well. Kaz Grala is an underrated driver that arguably should have found a fulltime ride somewhere in NASCAR. Hopefully, he can impress this weekend (and his other 2 starts) to find a ride for the 2026 season.

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