Postponing NASCAR 2023 Chicago Race

Now in its 75th season, the NASCAR Cup Series has never held a street race in its history but that will change on Sunday with the 2023 Grant Park 220 in Chicago. Inspired by an iRacing event, a 12-turn, 2.14-mile track has been laid down through the streets of Chicago, with the start/finish line on South Columbus Drive in front of famed Buckingham Fountain and stretches on Lakeshore Drive and Michigan Ave. The first-of-its-kind event will be a test unlike anything we've seen in NASCAR and the green flag is scheduled to drop at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Martin Truex Jr. is the current leader in the NASCAR standings as we approach the halfway mark of the season and he's listed at 7-1 in the 2023 Grant Park 220 odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Chase Elliott has been the dominant force in road racing over the last several years and he's the 5-1 favorite in the Chicago Street Race odds. Before scouring the 2023 Grant Park 220 starting lineup and making any 2023 NASCAR at Chicago predictions, be sure to see the latest 2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race picks from SportsLine's proven NASCAR model.

Racers completed 25 out of 55 laps with three crashes before officials paused the race and started to evacuate the event grounds at about 5 p.m.

The Xfinity race will continue at 10 a.m. Sunday, with the 100-lap NASCAR Cup Series kicking off later at 4:30 p.m.

Sunday’s forecast calls for an 70 percent chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Rain and thunderstorms are likely before 1 p.m., with rain and thunderstorms likely between 1-4 p.m.

City officials previously said that if weather delays continue, races will be held Monday morning.

Leading up to the race, drivers like Connor Mosack have dedicated themselves to thorough preparation, refining their skills on simulation courses. On Friday, he and other drivers finally had the opportunity to experience the track firsthand through walk-throughs.  

Reflecting on his initial impressions, Mosack told CBS News, "I feel okay. There are definitely some corners where a throttle hanger or brake failure could spell trouble, but you just try to go into it and not dwell on that." 

Amid Formula One's rapid expansion within the United States, NASCAR aims to replicate the success of hosting a grand event in one of America's largest metropolitan cities, while also attracting new fans to the sport. Longtime fans like Daniel Blaufman from New Hampshire and Mike McGowan from South Carolina recognize and appreciate the significance of the race.  

Sorrell said the company was Tabinski's passion and dream since he was 17, and while this weekend won't be the same without him, his loved ones are promising to carry on his legacy.

"We're gonna carry on. We're gonna keep doing things. We're gonna do this NASCAR event, all these future shows, and we're gonna make him proud," he said.

Sorrell told ABC7 Tabinski's family is on their way to Chicago as well.

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Sarah H

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