Parker Kligerman, a part-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and commentator, has provided an in-depth Parker Kligerman NASCAR Chicago race preview for the upcoming Grant Park 165, set to unfold on Chicago’s renowned street circuit this Sunday. With a forecast calling for significant rain and a technical track layout, the race is expected to challenge both NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series drivers while offering unpredictable moments for fans.
Complex Layout and Weather Threaten Race Stability
The Grant Park 165 is scheduled for Sunday, July 6th at 2 p.m. ET with live coverage on TNT, placing drivers and teams in the heart of downtown Chicago. Meteorological conditions mirror those of previous years, with rain likely to strike as the event begins, potentially leading to delays and adding a layer of uncertainty to the start.
Kligerman pointed out that if wet conditions take hold, competitors could struggle to find optimal racing lines and grip, with multiple sections of changing asphalt presenting additional hurdles. He detailed the particular risk areas, emphasizing the way tricky corners and inconsistent surfaces could easily catch out even the most skilled drivers.
“After turn 3, you enter the trickiest braking zone in all of NASCAR, possibly motorsports, and it is about a hundred different asphalt types that you’ll run across. It’s incredibly bumpy, and then you enter a very tight section, from turn 4 to turn 5… Down into turn 7, that looks at Michigan Avenue there. A super slow corner, one of the best passing zones possibly. If you try to go side-by-side, it’s most likely gonna end in contact,” Parker Kligerman said via CW Sports.
The circuit not only forms the backdrop for high-speed action but also serves as the second stage in the NASCAR In-Season tournament. With critical playoff spots on the line, teams and drivers like Parker Kligerman are on high alert for any edge, knowing the Grant Park 165 could have significant postseason implications.
Kligerman’s Take: Chicago’s Course Brings Out “Full-Contact” Racing
Parker Kligerman’s Grant Park 165 preview offers unique insight, built from personal laps around the Chicago street course in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during previous seasons. At 34, Kligerman brings hands-on experience and analysis, highlighting both the speed and the narrowness that define this downtown challenge.
“It’s probably one of the best street courses in the world, you know, up there with Monaco and Long Beach and that sort of thing. But the Chicago race has a uniquely varied track – with some straightaways allowing drivers to hit 160 mph, and other sections so tight that only one car can fit through at 70 mph. Now, that might sound fast for the streets that we’re on, like Michigan Avenue, but in a race car, that’s not that fast. So yeah, it’s just an elbows-out, full-contact affair,” Parker Kligerman said via NewsNation Live.
Comparing the course to iconic tracks such as Monaco and Long Beach, Kligerman emphasized the variety of speeds throughout the lap and suggested that fans can expect plenty of physical battles as cars jostle for position, particularly in the slow, single-lane sections and near Michigan Avenue’s signature corners.
With past years marred by delays and variable weather, anticipation is high that this Sunday’s Grant Park 165 will run as scheduled. Drivers and fans alike remain divided on whether the action would be amplified by rainy chaos or steadier under dry skies, but all signs point to the event delivering drama and excitement at every turn.
In summary, the Parker Kligerman NASCAR Chicago race preview highlights that the 2024 Grant Park 165 could be defined by weather, track complexity, and aggressive racing, with every competitor and spectator preparing for a spectacle in downtown Chicago this Sunday.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What movie is Tom Cruise a NASCAR driver?
A. In Days of Thunder, he played a rookie driver named Cole Trickle. He initially had a rivalry with an experienced driver. Their relationship changed when they both experienced a big crash, leading them to become friends.
Q. How much does a Nascar Driver make? As of Jun 26, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Nascar Driver in the United States is $37.80 an hour.
A. What is the salary of a NASCAR driver?
Q. How much does a Nascar Driver make? As of Jun 24, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Nascar Driver in the United States is $37.80 an hour.
A. What is a NASCAR driver’s salary?
NASCAR drivers’ earnings can vary widely. The salary depends on their experience, skill level, team, and sponsorships. Some drivers earn millions each year, while others make less. The best drivers often receive large bonuses and endorsements, significantly boosting their income. Overall, their pay comes from a mix of team contracts, race winnings, and promotional deals.
Q. How much does a Nascar Driver make? As of Jun 25, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Nascar Driver in the United States is $37.80 an hour.
A. What is the salary for NASCAR drivers?
