Shane van Gisbergen has made this race his own. But the Chicago Street Course is never easy, and this year brings more names ready to challenge him. A mix of sharp turns, narrow streets, and rising pressure has made The Loop 110 one of the most intense races on the calendar. Some drivers have the speed. Others bring smart moves. A few could bring both. And when the green flag drops, what happens next might catch many off guard.
The Chicago Street Course: A New Era for NASCAR
The Chicago Street Course stands as one of the boldest innovations in NASCAR’s modern era, representing a significant departure from the traditional oval and permanent road courses that have long defined the sport. Officially introduced in 2023, this 2.2-mile, 12-turn circuit weaves through the heart of downtown Chicago, utilizing existing city streets and passing by iconic landmarks such as Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, and Michigan Avenue. The course’s design, with its sharp 90-degree corners, sweeping bends, and long straights, demands a unique blend of precision, patience, and adaptability from drivers. Unlike permanent tracks, the street course features tight barriers and little margin for error, making overtaking a challenge and amplifying the importance of strategy and clean execution.
The inaugural event was a watershed moment for NASCAR, marking the first-ever street race in the Cup Series and the Xfinity Series. The debut was dramatic, with unpredictable weather adding to the spectacle and testing the drivers’ skills in wet and challenging conditions. The Chicago Street Course has quickly become a fan favorite, offering a vibrant urban backdrop and a racing experience that fuses the energy of a major city with the raw excitement of stock car competition. Its success has paved the way for more street racing in NASCAR’s future, signaling a willingness to embrace change and attract new audiences.
The Loop 110
The Loop 110 is a relatively new addition to the NASCAR Xfinity Series calendar, but it has already carved out a unique place in the sport’s history. First held in 2023, the race was conceived as part of NASCAR’s broader initiative to bring top-level stock car racing to city centers and new audiences. The event takes its name from the “Chicago Loop,” the central business district that the street course traverses. The Loop 110 replaced a planned IMSA race and was scheduled as a 121-mile, 55-lap contest in its inaugural year, though it was later shortened to 110 miles and 50 laps for subsequent editions.
The first running of the Loop 110 was memorable for several reasons. Weather played a decisive role, with heavy rain and lightning causing the race to be red-flagged after just 25 laps. The persistent inclement conditions forced NASCAR to call the race before halfway, making it one of the few national series events in history not to reach the scheduled distance. Cole Custer was declared the winner, having led every lap up to that point—a rare feat in NASCAR competition.
In 2024, the Loop 110 returned with a full 50-lap contest, and the event quickly established itself as a showcase for road course specialists and rising stars. Shane van Gisbergen, a Supercars champion from New Zealand, captured the win, further cementing the race’s reputation as a battleground for diverse driving talent. The Loop 110’s unique setting, unpredictable weather, and challenging layout have made it a must-watch event, and its short history is already rich with drama and memorable moments.
Predictions for the 2025 Loop 110: Who Will Win?
As the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to the Chicago Street Course for the 2025 Loop 110, anticipation is high for another thrilling contest. The entry list is stacked with talent, including several drivers with proven road course prowess and a few Cup Series stars making guest appearances. The unique demands of the street course—tight corners, unforgiving barriers, and the need for flawless execution—mean that only the most adaptable and skilled drivers are likely to contend for victory.
Key Contenders
Based on recent form, road course records, and expert predictions, the following five drivers stand out as the most favorable picks for the 2025 Loop 110:
1. Shane van Gisbergen
Van Gisbergen is the defending winner of both the Xfinity and Cup Series street races in Chicago. His background in Supercars, where street and road courses are the norm, gives him a distinct advantage. In 2024, he showcased his mastery by winning the Loop 110 and has continued to dominate road courses in the Xfinity Series, with multiple wins at Portland and Sonoma. Oddsmakers and analysts overwhelmingly favor him to repeat his success, making him the top pick for Saturday’s race.
2. Connor Zilisch
A rising star in the Xfinity Series, Zilisch has quickly built a reputation as a road course ace. He claimed his first Xfinity win at Watkins Glen and has been a consistent threat on tracks with both left and right turns. Zilisch and van Gisbergen have combined to win five of the last eight road course races in the series, and their head-to-head battle is one of the most anticipated storylines of the weekend. Zilisch’s adaptability and aggressive style make him a strong contender for the win.
3. Sam Mayer
Mayer has quietly become one of the most consistent performers on road courses in the Xfinity Series. He regularly finishes in the top five and has shown the ability to capitalize when favorites falter. Mayer’s smooth driving style and strategic approach suit the demands of the Chicago Street Course, and he is widely regarded as a dark horse who could surprise the field if the race becomes chaotic.
4. Justin Allgaier
A veteran of the Xfinity Series, Allgaier brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record on road courses. He has multiple wins and top-five finishes on similar layouts and is known for his tactical acumen and ability to avoid trouble. Allgaier’s consistency and racecraft make him a perennial threat, especially if the frontrunners encounter issues.
5. Austin Hill
Hill is another driver who consistently runs near the front on road courses, even if he has yet to break through for a win. With 12 top-five finishes in 22 career Xfinity road races, Hill’s reliability and knack for staying out of trouble make him a solid pick for a strong result. Should the favorites stumble, Hill is well-positioned to capitalize and potentially score an upset victory.
Betting Odds and Expert Picks
Current betting odds reflect the dominance of van Gisbergen and Zilisch, with both drivers listed as heavy favorites. Van Gisbergen is widely available at odds of -150 to +200, while Zilisch is close behind at +125 to +240. Mayer, Allgaier, and Hill round out the top five, with odds ranging from +1400 to +2500, indicating a clear gap between the top two and the rest of the field.
Experts and analysts are nearly unanimous in picking van Gisbergen to win, citing his unmatched street course experience and recent form. Zilisch is seen as the most likely challenger, while Mayer, Allgaier, and Hill are viewed as the best bets among the rest of the field. The consensus is that if van Gisbergen and Zilisch avoid trouble, the race will likely come down to a duel between them, but the unique challenges of the Chicago Street Course mean that surprises are always possible.
News in Brief: 2025 Loop 110 Predictions
The 2025 Loop 110 promises fierce competition as top Xfinity Series drivers tackle NASCAR’s toughest street course. Shane van Gisbergen enters as the favorite, but rising stars like Connor Zilisch and consistent contenders like Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, and Austin Hill aim to challenge him. Betting odds reflect a tight race between van Gisbergen and Zilisch, with chaos always a factor on Chicago’s narrow streets. With playoff implications and unpredictable weather in play, the Loop 110 could reshape the season.
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