As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series rolls into downtown Chicago, all eyes turn to the Grant Park 165 at the famous Chicago Street Course. Scheduled for Sunday, July 6, this will be the third annual running of the event on Chicago’s urban battleground. Starting at 2 p.m. ET and airing on TNT Sports, with radio coverage from MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the 75-lap, 165-mile race promises a display of skill, precision, and daring unlike any other on the circuit.
This weekend’s field features 41 entries, including five open car teams—reflecting NASCAR’s ongoing experiment with expanding competition and spotlighting new talent. Let’s dive into the complete entry list and explore the storylines, strategy, and stakes at play.
Event Overview: Track, Broadcast, and Stakes
Since debuting in 2023, the Chicago race has been one of NASCAR’s boldest ventures into urban street racing. Blending tight corners, concrete walls, and unpredictable weather, Grant Park 165 requires precision driving and flawless execution. With 41 drivers expected, including five open-car entries, the unpredictability of this week’s lineup heightens the intrigue on concrete surrounding Grant Park’s green spaces.
Race Name: Grant Park 165
Location: Chicago Street Course, Grant Park, Chicago, IL
Date & Time: Sunday, July 6, 2025 – 2 p.m. ET
Distance: 75 laps / 165 miles on a 2.2-mile, 12-turn street circuit
Broadcast: TNT Sports (TV), MRN & SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
The Complete 2025 Chicago Entry Sheet
A record 41 drivers will take the green flag—here’s the full rundown:
| Entry | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | #1 | Ross Chastain |
| 2 | #2 | Austin Cindric |
| 3 | #3 | Austin Dillon |
| 4 | #4 | Noah Gragson |
| 5 | #5 | Kyle Larson |
| 6 | #6 | Brad Keselowski |
| 7 | #7 | Justin Haley |
| 8 | #8 | Kyle Busch |
| 9 | #9 | Chase Elliott |
| 10 | #10 | Ty Dillon |
| 11 | #11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 12 | #12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 13 | #13 | Will Brown (Kaulig Racing, open) |
| 14 | #16 | A.J. Allmendinger |
| 15 | #17 | Chris Buescher |
| 16 | #19 | Chase Briscoe |
| 17 | #20 | Christopher Bell |
| 18 | #21 | Josh Berry |
| 19 | #22 | Joey Logano |
| 20 | #23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 21 | #24 | William Byron |
| 22 | #33 | Austin Hill (i) |
| 23 | #34 | Todd Gilliland |
| 24 | #35 | Riley Herbst (R) |
| 25 | #38 | Zane Smith |
| 26 | #41 | Cole Custer |
| 27 | #42 | John Hunter Nemechek |
| 28 | #43 | Erik Jones |
| 29 | #45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 30 | #47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 31 | #48 | Alex Bowman |
| 32 | #51 | Cody Ware |
| 33 | #54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 34 | #60 | Ryan Preece |
| 35 | #66 | Josh Bilicki (Garage 66, open) |
| 36 | #67 | Corey Heim (i) – 23XI, open |
| 37 | #71 | Michael McDowell |
| 38 | #77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 39 | #78 | Katherine Legge (Live Fast, open) |
| 40 | #88 | Shane van Gisbergen (R, open) |
| 41 | #99 | Daniel Suárez |
Open Car Highlights:
- Will Brown (#13) steps in with Kaulig Racing’s first open entry.
- Truck standout Corey Heim (#67) debuts in a 23XI car—watch him handle tight streets.
- Garage 66’s Josh Bilicki (#66) and Live Fast’s Katherine Legge (#78) bring more flavor and curiosity to the grid.
- Shane van Gisbergen (#88), already a Cup winner, enters his rookie season on Chicago streets.
Storylines That Shape the Weekend
1. Defender’s Duel
Alex Bowman (#48) returns as the reigning Grant Park 165 champion, clocking a winning time of 2:19:24 in 2024. His mastery of urban walls and street racing poise mark him as a favorite, but the pressure to repeat on unforgiving concrete looms large.
2. Street Savvy Veterans
Drivers with road-course pedigrees—Chase Elliott (#9), Kyle Larson (#5), A.J. Allmendinger (#16), and Shane van Gisbergen (#88)—could dominate without mishap. Elliott, fresh off a big Atlanta win, and van Gisbergen, a Cup debut winner, add depth as heavy-hitting road-course aces.
3. Rookies & Open-Entry Hopefuls
- Will Brown (#13) – Kaulig’s gamble could pay off in a high-profile event.
- Corey Heim (#67) – his Truck Series road-course success translates well to street circuits.
- Austin Hill (#33), Josh Bilicki (#66), and Katherine Legge (#78) – profile depth but could shine with street-course savvy.
4. Playoff Pressure Cooker
Contenders like Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Bubba Wallace face a week of high stakes. A DNF or poor finish here could jeopardize their playoff standing, making Grant Park a pivotal pivot point in the championship chase.
5. Logistics and Challenges
The city’s expansion to 41 cars tightens pit stall availability and heightens caution-prone moments in practice. Traffic corridors through Grant Park’s neighborhoods and Chicago’s downtown atmosphere add unpredictable elements—weather, crowds, and noise factor into race strategy.
News in Brief: 2025 Grant Park 165 Entry List
The Grant Park 165 lineup is more than a roster—it’s a snapshot of NASCAR’s evolving era. With 41 entrants, including five open-door challengers and a record field size, the event boldly asserts NASCAR’s push into urban environments and expanded competition.
Expect storylines to emerge in every paddock corner: veteran mastery, rookie astonishment, playoff contention, and the drama of street-sprint strategy. Each lane on Chicago’s asphalt will reveal who adapts and who gets trapped against cold walls under unforgiving street lamps.
Look for Alex Bowman to defend his title, Elliott and Larson to roam the streets without fear, and open-entry rookies to either stun or struggle under intense pressure. Mistakes here have high cost—but success could launch one competitor into clutch relevance and feature headlines for weeks.
Tune in Sunday, July 6 at 2 p.m. ET on TNT Sports, with audio carried on MRN/SiriusXM, to witness whether Chicago’s concrete test will crown a new name—or reinforce what defending champions already know.
ALSO READ: Full Entry List for the 2025 LiUNA! 150 at Lime Rock Park
