The NASCAR Cup Series returned to the streets of downtown Chicago, bringing with it unpredictable weather, fierce competition, and more than a few surprises. A familiar face found his way to the front once again — but not without surviving chaos and capitalizing on opportunity.
Key Highlights
Shane van Gisbergen wins his second Cup race of 2025 and third career Cup Series race
Ty Gibbs ties career-best finish with runner-up result
Michael McDowell wins Stage 1 but finishes outside the top 30 after mechanical issues
Ryan Blaney takes Stage 2 but fades late after restart struggles
William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott all start from the rear after qualifying issues
SVG Dominates Again, Adds to Road Course Legacy
For the second year in a row, van Gisbergen took control on the streets of Chicago. Unlike his thrilling charge to victory in 2023, this time he did it from the front — leading laps, setting the pace, and holding off a late surge from Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick to claim the checkered flag under caution.
The win was his second of the season, adding to his Mexico City triumph earlier this year. With seven races remaining before the playoffs, van Gisbergen is now fifth in the points standings and solidly in championship contention.
“These Trackhouse Racing guys gave me another great car,” van Gisbergen said post-race. “We had great pit stops, great strategy, and I just tried to stay clean and hit my marks. It’s special to win here again.”
Ty Gibbs gave him a fight late in the race but couldn’t match SVG’s pace on the final restart. Reddick, who started mid-pack on the last restart, made a big charge to finish third, just as he did one year earlier.
Chaos Early, Trouble for Contenders
The race began with drama as multiple contenders encountered issues within the first 10 laps. Carson Hocevar was involved in a multi-car crash that blocked the track and caused a red flag, eliminating several cars early.
McDowell, after winning Stage 1 and leading the opening 31 laps, suffered a stuck throttle early in Stage 2 and had to bring the car behind the wall. Though he returned to the track after repairs, he finished 71st — a disappointing end after a promising start.
Ryan Blaney, who won Stage 2 and looked poised for a strong finish, struggled with grip on the final restarts and faded outside the top 10.
Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Chase Elliott were all forced to start at the rear of the field after failing to post qualifying times due to mechanical issues or on-track crashes during practice. Hamlin rebounded for a strong fourth-place finish, while Byron ended up last in 40th.
Full Results from the Grant Park 165
| Pos | Driver | Car No. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shane van Gisbergen | 88 |
| 2 | Ty Gibbs | 54 |
| 3 | Tyler Reddick | 45 |
| 4 | Denny Hamlin | 11 |
| 5 | Kyle Busch | 8 |
| 6 | A.J. Allmendinger | 16 |
| 7 | Ryan Preece | 60 |
| 8 | Alex Bowman | 48 |
| 9 | Austin Hill | 33 |
| 10 | Ross Chastain | 1 |
| 11 | Joey Logano | 22 |
| 12 | Ryan Blaney | 12 |
| 13 | Kyle Larson | 5 |
| 14 | Zane Smith | 38 |
| 15 | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 |
| 16 | Chase Elliott | 9 |
| 17 | Riley Herbst | 35 |
| 18 | Chris Buescher | 17 |
| 19 | Katherine Legge | 78 |
| 20 | Ty Dillon | 10 |
| 21 | Josh Bilicki | 66 |
| 22 | Justin Haley | 7 |
| 23 | Chase Briscoe | 19 |
| 24 | Christopher Bell | 20 |
| 25 | Erik Jones | 43 |
| 26 | Cody Ware | 51 |
| 27 | Austin Cindric | 2 |
| 28 | Bubba Wallace | 23 |
| 29 | Daniel Suarez | 99 |
| 30 | Noah Gragson | 4 |
| 31 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 |
| 32 | Michael McDowell | 71 |
| 33 | Cole Custer | 41 |
| 34 | Josh Berry | 21 |
| 35 | Carson Hocevar | 77 |
| 36 | Austin Dillon | 3 |
| 37 | Brad Keselowski | 6 |
| 38 | Todd Gilliland | 34 |
| 39 | Will Brown | 13 |
| 40 | William Byron | 24 |
News in Brief: 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race Results
Shane van Gisbergen once again proved that road courses are his domain, adding a second 2025 Cup Series win to his résumé and further solidifying his playoff position. Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick delivered standout performances, while veteran drivers like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch also brought home top-five finishes.
The weekend wasn’t as kind to William Byron, Michael McDowell, and several others who found themselves out of contention early due to mechanical failures or on-track incidents.
With just seven races left before the playoffs, the focus now shifts to Sonoma Raceway — another road course that could play right into SVG’s hands. After sweeping the Chicago weekend, van Gisbergen is no longer just a street course threat — he’s a real title contender.
ALSO READ: Full Results from 2025 The Loop 110: Shane Van Gisbergen Leads JR Motorsports Charge
