Dark clouds hovered over Chicago as the NASCAR Grant Park 165 approached, bringing back memories of rain disruptions from previous years. But according to Denny Hamlin, a fan’s inventive “vortex hat” played a surprising role in keeping the skies clear this time. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, referencing the long-standing fan theory about racing’s power over the weather, linked the event’s dry conditions to the quirky device seen trackside during the race.
Hamlin’s recognition isn’t just playful; it taps into deep-seated anxieties and traditions within the NASCAR community. The focus keyword, Denny Hamlin credits fan vortex hat, reflects the spirit of camaraderie and superstition that played out amid Chicago’s tense atmosphere this year.
Chicago Local Designs DIY Vortex Hat to Counter Rain
Aaron Moy, a Morton Grove native and longtime NASCAR supporter, came to the Grant Park race expecting more than fast cars—he came prepared for rain. Having witnessed two consecutive years of storm-interrupted races, he constructed his own defense: a red Valvoline cap topped with a spiral made from laminated printer paper, powered by a discreet motor and mounted on a plastic shaft. The sight of Moy’s whirling hat added a new dimension to the event’s atmosphere.
“The last two years, the rain’s messed up the race here,”
Moy explained. —Aaron Moy, fan
“So I’m thinking, well, maybe I could do something to get the rain away.”
—Aaron Moy, fan
The so-called “vortex theory” is a long-running joke among NASCAR fans, suggesting that the motion of cars can create an air flow that repels rain from the track. As ominous clouds drew near cut through by the spinning hat’s motion, Hamlin remarked on his podcast Actions Detrimental that it seemed to make a tangible difference. The crowd, already clad in ponchos and prepared for a washout, witnessed the downpours pause just outside the track’s boundary.
“Man, it did not look like we were going to dodge that rain. I mean, it was like a couple of buildings away, it seemed like. And just kind of stopped right when it got to the track. I did see the fan that had the vortex, and it worked! Yeah, I know. It worked. It kept the rain away. So, thank you for that.”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
The showers held off until after Shane van Gisbergen crossed the finish line, marking a key moment for the community who had endured weather disruptions in the past. Moy, reflecting on the uncertainty and rituals of such weekends, became a symbol of hope among fellow fans.
You never know when they’ll say, ‘OK, drivers to your cars,’ and then we gotta rush back in,” Moy said about refusing shelter. His spinning hat became the weekend’s unlikely mascot.
Community’s Role and Memories of Chicago’s NASCAR Events
Beyond technical marvel and humor, Hamlin’s acknowledgment of the vortex hat recognized a broader resilience among the Chicago NASCAR crowd. The race’s future in the city is uncertain, as this event marked the final installment of its original contract, with previous rainouts clouding what comes next.
“We’ll have those conversations after the race, but right now our focus is on this weekend,”
said event president Julie Giese before the start, underscoring the uncertainty. —Julie Giese, event president
“I don’t know what the plan is moving forward, whether we come back here or not.”
The event brought together both dedicated fans and newcomers. Georgene Sergeant, who works for Sunoco, welcomed guests new to the sport, reinforcing the communal spirit that these street races inspire.
“Draw in people that might not be NASCAR fans and then they become fans.”
—Georgene Sergeant, Sunoco employee
Although Shane van Gisbergen ultimately celebrated victory, the atmosphere of suspense and celebration belonged equally to the thousands who faced the forecast together. Hamlin, finishing fourth, saw a deeper meaning in the dry race: the shared community defiance and hope that pushed back against Chicago’s streak of rainouts.
What the Vortex Hat Means for Future NASCAR Races
This year’s Grant Park 165 demonstrated the emotion and unpredictability that make NASCAR unique in Chicago. For one weekend, Aaron Moy’s spinning invention, a little humor, and a lot of hope seemed to hold off the rain. Whether or not the event continues in the city, the spectacle of a dedicated fan and the unity it inspired will remain a lasting story in the sport’s modern history.
