NASCAR’s first street-course race led to a hilarious on-track traffic jam in Chicago

The first NASCAR Cup Series street-course race in history was a special sight and seemingly a success that included a thrilling finish as New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen — in his Cup debut behind the wheel of the No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet — edged out Justin Haley and Chase Elliott for the checkered flag.

Of course, race day wasn’t without a couple bumps in the road, including NASCAR deciding to shorten the race as the result of dimming sunlight and weather-related delays.

And, as it goes sometimes in big cities, there was also a traffic jam — just mid-race on Lap 49 of an eventual 78 total and in the middle of the 12-turn, 2.2-mile course in downtown Chicago. And because it was more like back-to-back fender-benders where everyone was OK rather than a serious wreck, it’s hard not to laugh at this.

TRAFFIC JAM!#NASCARChicago | @NBC and @Peacock pic.twitter.com/t75M7Ll9cD

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 3, 2023

As cars pile up behind Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, drivers even farther back coming into the turn likely had little idea what they were turning into.

One after the other, they innocuously piled up and created a hilarious traffic jam, and anyone who took the turn a tad too wide couldn’t get through. Not exactly what you want to see in the middle of a race…

And listening to Jeff Burton freaking out during his play-by-play of the pile-up makes it even funnier.

MORE NASCAR: 15 super cool photos from NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago

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