The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series roll into downtown Chicago this weekend for one of the most unique events on the calendar — the Grant Park 165 and The Loop 110, taking place July 5–6. The Chicago Street Course provides a picturesque but challenging 2.14-mile, 12-turn layout through Grant Park, and fans won’t want to miss the third edition of NASCAR’s only street race.
This weekend also marks a key stop in NASCAR’s new In-Season Tournament, as the Grant Park 165 serves as the second round of the competition. With new broadcast partners involved and stacked entry lists, here’s how you can follow every lap, turn, and storyline from the Windy City.
Broadcast Schedule: When and Where to Watch
This weekend’s coverage will be split across TNT, truTV, The CW Network, and The CW App, reflecting NASCAR’s new media rights deal that includes Warner Bros. Discovery. The Cup Series action is part of the sport’s $7.7 billion media deal set to run through 2031, expanding coverage across traditional cable and streaming platforms.
Saturday, July 5 – Xfinity and Cup Series Practice & Qualifying
10:30 a.m. ET – Xfinity Series Practice (The CW App)
11:30 a.m. ET – Xfinity Series Qualifying (The CW App)
1:00 p.m. ET – Cup Series Practice (truTV)
2:00 p.m. ET – Cup Series Qualifying (truTV)
4:30 p.m. ET – Xfinity Series Race: The Loop 110 (The CW Network)
Sunday, July 6 – Main Event
2:00 p.m. ET – Cup Series Race: Grant Park 165 (TNT)
While linear cable TV coverage will be the primary method of watching, fans can also access coverage through Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform. Viewership data from previous races suggests that Max audiences are growing, though official numbers remain undisclosed.
TNT’s Return and NASCAR’s TV Evolution
The Grant Park 165 is part of NASCAR’s five-race TNT Summer Series, marking the network’s return to NASCAR coverage for the first time since 2014. Under the new TV agreement, TNT and truTV carry a midseason package of Cup Series events during the summer months, alongside simultaneous streaming availability on Max.
This marks a departure from NASCAR’s previous network-exclusive format. Earlier races this season aired on FOX and FS1, while future playoff races will be broadcast on NBC and USA Network. For fans looking to catch every Cup Series race, that now means keeping track of multiple networks and platforms — but it also brings new opportunities for broader access, especially through streaming.
TNT’s coverage has emphasized driver access, alternate feeds, and live team communications to enhance viewer engagement. While the EchoPark Speedway race (formerly Atlanta) was delayed and aired on a Saturday night, it still drew 1.608 million cable-only viewers on TNT and truTV — a strong number given the challenges of time slot and weather delays.
Entry Lists: Who’s Racing in Chicago?
Both the Cup and Xfinity Series entry lists are stacked with full-time stars, road course ringers, and international talent. Notably, 41 drivers are entered in the Cup Series, meaning one will be sent home after qualifying.
NASCAR Cup Series – Grant Park 165 (Sunday, July 6)
Chase Elliott, fresh off a win at EchoPark Speedway, will lead the field as a fan favorite.
Will Brown returns in the No. 13 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet.
Corey Heim will once again pilot the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI Racing.
Josh Bilicki is pulling double duty, running the No. 66 for Live Fast Motorsports in Cup and the No. 91 in Xfinity.
- Katherine Legge enters the field in the No. 78, adding veteran road course experience.
NASCAR Xfinity Series – The Loop 110 (Saturday, July 5)
Shane van Gisbergen, who won the inaugural 2023 Cup race in Chicago, returns to drive the No. 9 JR Motorsports entry.
Jack Perkins will attempt his first-ever NASCAR start in the No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Connor Mosack, Kaz Grala, Brad Perez, and Thomas Annunziata headline a list of part-time entrants eager to prove themselves.
Preston Pardus returns with his family-owned team, and Alex Labbe re-joins SS-Green Light Racing.
With 40 cars entered in the Xfinity race, two drivers will not qualify, raising the stakes for Saturday morning’s timed sessions.
What Makes the Chicago Street Race Special?
The Chicago Street Course is the only event on the calendar that takes place entirely on public roads, creating a festival atmosphere in downtown Chicago. The event was introduced in 2023 as a “proof of concept,” and its success helped solidify street racing’s place in the future of NASCAR.
The race winds past Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, and Lake Shore Drive, providing iconic views and challenging turns. Despite weather delays in its first two editions, the on-track product has delivered dramatic moments — including Shane van Gisbergen’s historic debut win in 2023 and Alex Bowman’s redemption run in 2024.
The 2025 edition continues that legacy while also serving as Round 2 of NASCAR’s In-Season Tournament, where drivers compete for a $1 million prize. With unpredictable outcomes and strategic intrigue, the Grant Park 165 is shaping up to be one of the summer’s standout races.
News in Brief: How to Watch NASCAR’s Chicago Street Races
As NASCAR heads into the heart of summer, the Chicago Street Race presents fans with a blend of sport, spectacle, and city scenery. With expanded TV partnerships, streaming options on Max, and packed entry lists in both series, there’s more access than ever to watch the action unfold.
This Saturday and Sunday, the streets of Chicago will come alive once again, offering a rare blend of racing intensity and urban spectacle as NASCAR’s only street course event returns.
ALSO READ: Chicago Street Course: Where Tradition Meets the Future of NASCAR
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What streets does NASCAR race on in Chicago?
A. Drivers will navigate a 2.2-mile course through Columbus Drive, Jackson Boulevard, Michigan Avenue, Roosevelt Road, Balbo Drive, and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, reaching speeds over 140 mph on straightaways.
Q. How long is the NASCAR street race in Chicago?
A. He later joined the Cup Series full-time in 2025. On October 20, 2023, NASCAR announced that the annual Chicago Street Race would be shortened from 220 miles (354.056 km) and 100 laps to 165 miles (265.542 km) and 75 laps.
