The Chicago Street Course delivered a dramatic shakeup as several leading drivers, including Chase Elliott, were knocked out of NASCAR’s $1 million In-Season Tournament in the early rounds. The unique Grant Park 165 circuit put pressure on even seasoned competitors, altering the path of the Chase Elliott NASCAR In-Season Tournament and sending shockwaves through the Cup Series field.
Major Contenders Fall in Chicago: Tournament Hopes Dashed
The conclusion of the Grant Park 165 saw high-profile names unexpectedly ousted from the million-dollar tournament. Although Shane van Gisbergen captured the victory on the streets of Chicago, his success did not impact the tournament bracket, as he was not among the thirty-two qualifiers battling for the grand prize.
The most notable surprise was the elimination of Chase Elliott, the number five seed and recent EchoPark Speedway winner. Elliott crossed the finish line in 16th place, just behind John Hunter Nemechek. This slip in the final laps closed the door on his advancement, despite his reputation as a strong road course specialist and his Most Popular Driver accolades.
Bubba Wallace, seeded ninth, also failed to advance after a tense late-race scuffle with Alex Bowman. With six laps remaining, Bowman overtook Wallace, who ultimately ended up in 28th position. Notably, this is the second consecutive year Wallace has been edged out by Bowman in Chicago, with the on-track friction appearing even more pronounced this time. Early speed could not compensate for contact, leaving Wallace unable to mount a comeback.
Brad Keselowski’s tournament campaign ended almost before it began. The 2012 Cup Series champion and a seasoned name in the field faced elimination only three laps into the race, falling victim to a multicar incident involving Ty Dillon, Austin Dillon, Carson Hocevar, and Will Brown. Keselowski was credited with a 37th-place result, erasing any hopes for a million-dollar run.
Another setback came for Chris Buescher, who, as the third seed, entered Chicago with high ambitions and favorable upcoming tracks. An electronic control unit malfunction early in Stage 1 forced Buescher to the pits. Although the RFK Racing crew repaired his No. 17 ford/”>Ford and returned him to action, he finished 18th and could not overcome Zane Smith, who posted a 14th-place run to win their bracket matchup.
A.J. Allmendinger, up against Ty Gibbs—who emerged as one of the best performers on the day—managed a strong sixth-place finish. Still, Gibbs solidified his superiority by claiming the second spot on the podium and distancing himself from Allmendinger as the laps wound down, despite Allmendinger’s experience and adaptability expected to give him an edge on the course.
Chase Elliott Reflects on Frustrating Early Exit
Chase Elliott’s early departure from the In-Season Tournament adds intensity and conflict to his already eventful 2024 season. After building momentum with recent wins and a proven track record, his inability to overcome Nemechek at Chicago was both unexpected and disappointing. Given Elliott’s typical strength at road courses and his status as Hendrick Motorsports’ Cup Series champion, this outcome was a bitter disappointment for fans and for Elliott himself.
The focus now shifts to how Elliott reacts with Sonoma and other Cup Series events ahead. His loss at Grant Park 165, especially so soon after notable success elsewhere, raises the stakes for every upcoming appearance, increasing pressure both internally and from the broader NASCAR community. Describing his reaction, Elliott shared candid insights about ignoring external opinions, focusing instead on his core group.
“I don’t really ask enough to care to know, honestly — and that’s fine. I’m totally OK with that,”
Elliott told the Times. —Chase Elliott, Driver
“You have the folks who are around you — your team and the people you go to battle with each week — and it’s about showing up for them at the end of the day. I have really learned to put less and less stock in that.”
he added. —Chase Elliott, Driver
In the wake of this loss, Elliott underscored the significance of genuine supporters and his commitment to remaining grounded, no matter the circumstances.
“You do have some true fans out there who are going to support you and appreciate you on your good days and your bad days. Those folks have got your back all the time,”
Elliott continued. —Chase Elliott, Driver
“Outside of that, the outside stuff just is what it is,”
he concluded. —Chase Elliott, Driver
What Losing in Chicago Means for NASCAR’s Tournament and the Drivers
The Grant Park 165 marked a pivotal point in NASCAR’s experiment with the In-Season Tournament, as the challenging Chicago Street Course forced several favorites into an abrupt exit. For Chase Elliott, Wallace, Keselowski, Buescher, and Allmendinger, the outcome underscores the demanding nature of the new format and the invaluable importance of matchups in each round.
As the focus moves to Sonoma and beyond, the impact of these eliminations will be closely monitored, with each driver and organization—Hendrick Motorsports, RFK Racing, and others—seeking to recover from setbacks and reclaim momentum. The pressure mounts on those still standing in the million-dollar chase and fuels speculation about how these competitors will adjust, regroup, and respond to the setbacks experienced on the streets of Chicago.
