NASCAR drivers prepared for another rain-filled Grant Park 165

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace was succinct with his thoughts on whether the Chicago Street Race should return next year.

“If it rains again, we ain’t coming back,” Wallace joked.

For the third consecutive year, the Cup -Series race in Chicago likely will feel the effects of rain, which forced the first two races to be shortened.

The weather has diminished the overall experience for fans, who might see the last Chicago Street Race on Sunday. This is the final year of the original three-year contract between NASCAR and the city, although there are two option years.

Drivers have enjoyed coming to Chicago, staying downtown and navigating the different challenges the street course presents, but they think fans haven’t truly experienced all that NASCAR has to offer.

“We haven’t even given [the Chicago Street Race] a fair shake yet because of the weather, but I do think it’s been pretty successful,” Joey Logano told the Sun-Times. “I like moving things around. I like trying different things, and this is obviously way out of our comfort zone.”

Despite the rain, drivers still see the appeal of the race. The sport is attracting new fans and is a boon for sponsors. Though there’s a course at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, it can’t replicate the vibe and convenience that Chicago offers.

San Diego reportedly will host a street race next year, but even then, it won’t have the cultural resonance that Chicago provides.

“I believe [Chicago is] an important place for us,” said Denny Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI with Michael Jordan. “Chicagoland is not a substitute for this race. I’d like to see us run both.”

McDonald’s is a prominent partner with 23XI, and its headquarters are in Chicago. The 23XI team has Wallace, Riley Herbst and Tyler Reddick in the race, emphasizing the importance of the street race for sponsors. Hamlin said the event is one of the biggest on the schedule because of the atmosphere it generates, despite the weather.

Ryan Blaney, who drives the No. 12 Ford for Penske, said the rain doesn’t affect the drivers much. He said “it’s never really comfortable” driving through rainy conditions, but experiencing it the last two years has helped.

“It stinks more for the people coming out to watch,” Blaney said. “I feel bad for the spectators that want to come out to the race with their whole families because it’s a huge weekend and, you know, it’s a special, unique race in Chicago.”

Despite the narrow course, drivers still enjoy the experience because of its proximity to the city. Wallace, who finished 13th last year after being clipped by winner Alex Bowman, said he relishes the opportunity to run into fans as he heads to restaurants.

Hamlin shared a similar sentiment, saying he was out shopping Friday and overheard fans considering attending the race after declining to last year because of the rain.

“That’s what you want,” Hamlin said. “These are young people that … they’re not going to travel to Chicagoland for a race. You have to have it right here, where they belong to it. So I don’t know if anyone shares the same sentiment.”

“I don’t run the series, I don’t make the decisions. But it just seems like there’s more excitement around the venue itself than a normal NASCAR race.”