Victory Junction

• Kaulig Racing drivers, team members and pit crews spent time at Victory Junction this week, where they performed pit stops and interacted with campers at the NASCARnival event.
• For more information on donations or volunteer opportunities at Victory Junction, visit https://victoryjunction.org/.

At Chicago Street Course:

• AJ Allmendinger will serve as a guest analyst alongside Jamie McMurray and Parker Kilgerman in The CW booth for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, July 5th. Allmendinger will begin coverage with the pre-race show at 3:30 p.m. ET.
• Kaulig Racing won the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Chicago Street Course with Shane van Gisbergen. Van Gisbergen won the pole award and led 14 laps en route to victory.
• The team earned a runner-up finish in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicago in 2023 with Justin Haley. Haley led 23 laps before ultimately being passed by eventual winner Shane van Gisbergen.

Brackets Busted! 16 Drivers. 4 Races. $1 Million still on the Line.

• The first-ever NASCAR In-Season Challenge kicked off last weekend at EchoPark Speedway with both AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon advancing to the second round.
• The In-Season Challenge includes five rounds at five tracks.

Round 1: EchoPark Speedway
Round 2: Chicago Street Course
Round 3: Sonoma Raceway
Round 4: Dover Motor Speedway

• Championship Round: Indianapolis Motor Speedway – The winner walks away with $1 Million!
• For Challenge Round 2, in a bracket format, the remaining 16 drivers compete head-to-head with the highest finisher advancing to Challenge Round 3 at Sonoma Raceway.
• For Kaulig Racing, AJ Allmendinger will face Ty Gibbs, and Ty Dillon will go against Brad Keselowski.

10 Team Info
Crew Chief: Andrew Dickeson
Partner: Sea Best

Ty Dillon, No. 10 Sea Best Camaro ZL1
Sea Best: Sea Best will serve as the primary partner of the No. 10 Chevrolet this weekend for the Chicago Street Course with Ty Dillon and Kaulig Racing. Sea Best proudly serves as the flagship brand of Beaver Street Fisheries, a family-owned and operated company based in Jacksonville, Florida. As one of the nation’s largest importers, manufacturers, and distributors of seafood and meat, the Sea Best brand is synonymous with premium-quality seafood. Its product lineup includes a wide range of frozen fish fillets—such as ahi tuna, mahi-mahi, cod, and catfish—along with shrimp, scallops, and lobster.

At Chicago Street Course:

• Ty Dillon will make his second start on the Chicago Street Course on Sunday for the Grant Park 165.
• In his previous start on the course, Dillon was having a strong run in the rain until a broken suspension relegated the team to a 35th-place finish.
• After knocking out the No. 1 seed — Denny Hamlin — in the first round of the In-Season Challenge, Dillon now goes up against the No. 17 seed of Brad Keselowski in Challenge Round 2. The driver who finishes the highest in Sunday’s race on the Chicago Street Course will advance to Challenge Round 3 at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, July 13.

 
“I’m excited for this weekend in Chicago. I only have the one start there from the first year in the rain and was actually running pretty good until we broke some left-rear suspension. Last year, I wasn’t racing in the Cup Series but spotted for Austin (Dillon) in turn two, so I have a different, unique perspective. I’m excited to go back. I’ve been working really hard in the simulator. We have Will Brown, who came over from the Australian Supercars Series, and just trying to learn as much as I can from him. I still have a lot I can improve on, but it’s been fun. I love being challenged and the journey of getting better. My goal this weekend, from the first lap of practice until the end of the race, is to just to progressively get better. I think if we can do that, we’ll have a good weekend.” – Ty Dillon on Chicago Street Course  

13 Team Info
Crew Chief: Mike Cook
Partner: MobileX

Will Brown, No. 13 MobileX Camaro ZL1
MobileX: For his first outing with Kaulig Racing, Brown and the No. 13 Chevrolet will be heavily supported by long-time partners of the Aussie. MobileX, the most customizable wireless service designed to save customers money, available at Walmart, will serve as the primary partner along with financial services leader, Shaw and Partners Financial Services. Additional partners featured on the No. 13 car include QuadLock, KMC Wheels, Direct Plasterboard Outlet (DPO), Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions, Southern Cross Truck Rentals (SCTR), Wurth, Supercars Championship Repco, Xpress Fleet (XF) and LeafFilter Gutter Protection.

At Chicago Street Course:

Will Brown will make his second-career NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend.
The reigning Supercars champion has made one other NASCAR Cup Series start, which came at Sonoma Raceway in 2024.
“It’s awesome to be coming back over stateside and to be competing with Kaulig Racing. Chicago is probably the one place I’ve always wanted to go after watching Shane [van Gisbergen] compete there. This type of course is similar to what I’m used to in Australia; we do about five street courses per year. It’s still very easy to make a mistake around those circuits, but I definitely feel comfortable on a track like that. With this course, there’s not a lot of room for error as far as braking with the lack of run-off areas that I’m used to, so it will be interesting seeing how the first lap or two will actually be. Having Shaw and Partners Financial Services and MobileX, two massive supporters and partners of mine, come back on board has been great, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.” – Will Brown on Chicago Street Course  

16 Team Info
Crew Chief: Trent Owens
Partner: Celsius

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Camaro ZL1
Celsius: The No. 16 Chevy will feature the Celsius on-board camera during Grant Park 165 race weekend. Celsius is known for their better-for-you lineup of energy and hydration products, all zero sugar and created with essential vitamins. As the Official Energy Drink of Kaulig Racing, Celsius fuels Allmendinger and the No. 16 team every race weekend to keep them performing at their best.

Meet AJ Allmendinger:

Friday, July 4th

AJ Allmendinger will be at Jewel Osco, located at 17117 S. Harlem Ave Tinley Park, IL 60477, on Friday, July 4th, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. CT to meet fans, sample Celsius, and sign autographs.

At Chicago Street Course:

AJ Allmendinger will serve as a guest analyst alongside Jamie McMurray and Parker Kligerman in The CW booth for the NASCAR Xfinity Race on Saturday, July 5th. Allmendinger will begin coverage with the pre-race show at 3:30 p.m. ET.
After advancing from the first round of the In-Season Challenge, Allmendinger will go head-to-head with Ty Gibbs during the Challenge Round 2 – Grant Park 165. The highest finisher of the two will advance to Challenge Round 3 – Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.

“I love racing on the streets of Chicago, and I always think it’s a fun event overall. Racing on a street course is unique; it’s challenging in so many different ways. The weather has always been a factor there and that throws another kind of obstacle to figure out. The two years we’ve been there have been difficult in the way the race has played out. I need to be better with some of the mistakes I have made on track and we’re working hard to get a better result. Our focus this year is getting out there and having a good practice. That will set the tone for the weekend and that’s probably where we’ve lacked most in the past. I’m doing all my homework to try to be better for practice and moving on to put together a good race. We’ve had opportunities to have really good finishes, and it just hasn’t played out. We’re working to learn from those mistakes and be better this weekend.” – AJ Allmendinger on Chicago Street Course  

10 Team Info
Crew Chief: Kevin Walter
Partner: Bettenhausen Automotive

Daniel Dye, No. 10 Bettenhausen Automotive Chevrolet
Bettenhausen Automotive: Daniel Dye will pilot the No. 10 Bettenhausen Automotive Chevrolet for his first outing at the Chicago Street Course. Bettenhausen Automotive is a family-owned dealership in the Chicago suburbs with over 60 years of history and a no-hassle, one-price sales approach. They offer a wide selection of new and used vehicles backed by top-rated service and strong customer reviews.

At Chicago Street Course:

Daniel Dye will make his first start at both the Chicago Street Course and a street circuit this weekend.
Following his eighth-place finish at EchoPark Speedway, Dye has earned six top 10s in the 2025 season.
 
“Chicago will be a really unique challenge that I’m excited to take on. I’ve never raced on a street course, so that will be a really cool experience. I’ve spent a lot of time getting laps virtually on both iRacing and the Chevy simulator, so hopefully that all pays off. I’m excited to have another returning partner of mine on our No. 10 Chevrolet. Bettenhause Automotive has supported me since my first season in the truck series, and I’m proud to have them back for what’s sure to be an exciting weekend.” – Daniel Dye on Chicago Street Course  

11 Team Info
Crew Chief: Eddie Pardue
Partner: Alloy Employer Services

Josh Williams, No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet
Alloy Employer Services: Based in Columbus, Ohio, Alloy Employer Services helps a range of clients, from small businesses to large employers. Industries served include healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, maintenance, hospitality, and construction. Alloy’s Midwest roots have led to national reach, serving clients with workers nationwide because of a love to design, build and innovate in our industry. Alloy Employer Services is a Fortune-HR, LLC company.

At Chicago Street Course:

Josh Williams has raced at the Chicago Street Course two times, with his best finish coming in last year’s edition. Williams climbed 18 positions in the 50-lap race en route to a 12th-place finish.
Williams made the second-most green flag passes in the field in that race, surging past 37 other drivers at speed.
Williams’ best-career finish on a road course came with Kaulig Racing at Portland International Raceway in 2024 (seventh).
 
“I have really enjoyed racing in Chicago the last couple years. We had a really good race last time, and I think we could have another good run this year. Road racing has always been something I’ve been pretty solid at, and even though we haven’t had the results I think we’re capable of on road courses yet this year, there’s no better time to change that up than now.” – Josh Williams on Chicago Street Course  

16 Team Info
Crew Chief: Alex Yontz
Partner: Benesch

Christian Eckes, No. 16 Benesch Chevrolet
Benesch: Benesch and Kaulig Racing will team up for the third-consecutive year at the Chicago Street Course, this time onboard Christian Eckes’ No. 16 Chevrolet. Benesch, an AmLaw 200 law firm with more than 450 attorneys and offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai and Wilmington, continues to be recognized by the legal industry.

Meet Christian Eckes:

Friday, July 4

Christian Eckes will be at Jewel Osco, located at 17117 S. Harlem Ave Tinley Park, IL 60477, on Friday, July 4th, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. CT to meet fans, sample Celsius, and sign autographs.

At Chicago Street Course:

Christian Eckes will make his first start at both the Chicago Street Course and a street circuit this weekend.
Eckes has earned two top-five finishes at both road course events in the 2025 season.
His best finish of the year came at his home track, Pocono Raceway, where he finished third.
 
“I’m looking forward to going to Chicago for the first time and racing on my first true street course. It will be different from the typical road courses we race on with it being more narrow and less run-off room for braking, so I think that will be my biggest challenge. We’ve had some success on the first couple of road courses this year, so that gives us some confidence heading into the weekend. If we can take care of our equipment and be there at the end, it should be another good day for this No. 16 group.” – Christian Eckes on Chicago Street Course  

Meet the Kaulig Racing Drivers

Friday, July 4

AJ Allmendinger and Christian Eckes will be at Jewel Osco, located at 17117 S. Harlem Ave Tinley Park, IL 60477, on Friday, July 4th, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. CT to meet fans, sample Celsius, and sign autographs.
 
About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Chicago Street Race Media Availability
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Chris Buescher, driver of the No. 17 RFK Ford Mustang Dark Horse, has advanced to the second round of the In-Season Challenge and will face fellow Ford driver Zane Smith of Front Row Motorsports. Buescher spoke about the matchup and returning to Chicago for the third straight season as part of a NASCAR media call Wednesday afternoon.

CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS WEEKEND AND HOW YOUR TEAM WILL APPROACH THESE NEXT FEW RACES AS THE REGULAR SEASON WINDS DOWN? “We literally just came across the street from the simulator for Chicago, so obviously that’s in full swing at this moment and has been for several weeks now. We always put in a little bit more time for road courses, just to be familiar with the racetrack again. We’ll definitely be out there on the track walk with I’m sure a lot of you all as we try and see which barriers got placed in slightly different areas or whatever has changed for brake markers, road surface, whatever it may be. There’s a lot of prep to do yet once we do get to town, but looking back on Atlanta and how that all transpired, it was our most competitive Atlanta that we’ve had since reconfiguration on the 17 side. I know Brad has had some really strong runs there through the last several years, but it was a really good race for us. It was nice to run up front and be in the hunt and, ultimately, there at the end wasn’t able to keep quite the pace we needed to fight for the win. It was just a wild day for sure. It worked out for us. We ended up with a decent day. We were up front for the majority of it and felt like there was some good racing. It was more enjoyable from behind the wheel than what we’ve had in the last couple, so there are a lot of positives to come off of the Atlanta weekend and now we’re obviously staring down the barrel of two road courses coming up now.”

YOU ARE THE HIGHEST SEED IN THE BRACKET COMING OUT OF ATLANTA. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHERE THIS IS GOING? “You know what, I’ve got some opinions on it at this point now, I guess. Some of them are strong and some not so much. Ultimately, I think the brackets and the in-season tournament was more about the fans and giving them something to really dive off into and try and put in discovery and plan and pick out that perfect bracket starting in Atlanta was kind of rude for all of our fans in that sense. You know what, for the teams and drivers there’s real money in this thing, so we’re not blind to it, but it’s also not changing our approach to our race weekends. It’s not changing what happens in a race for us, so I don’t believe that is going to affect what you see from us. I think that ultimately at the end of the day the bigger picture is winning races, which brings on playoff implications and all of that leads to much bigger consequences for our organization. That is definitely the focus. Now, I think that you had cars that stayed in the race trying to hope that somebody else would fall out and maybe they could win over their bracket or their matchup. It’s a lot easier to do when it’s just one car. I’ve been on the flip side of those days and we hung around the great fog or mist out of Texas for three days with damage and stayed around for three extra days to go out there and gain one point after running damaged and laps down all day long. It was just a miserable experience, so that’s not always the most fun thing to do, but I think it did knowing that you’re only trying to beat out one other car and especially being at Atlanta, a place where the attrition level can be so wildly high. I think it kept everybody working hard throughout the night to try and get their stuff right and being able to get back in the hunt.”

STEVE NEWMARK IS MOVING OUT OF THE SPORT. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OF HIM MOVING ON? “Steve and I got to Roush right about the same time, so I talk about my entire career has essentially been here, and that’s been with Steve at the head of the company. Obviously, I’m happy for him and what he’s going off to do and the decisions that he’s made and proud to have that friendship through the years and the working relationships and the fun we’ve had, the races we’ve been able to win here as well, and, like you said, we’ve got some time and as an organization we’re in a really good spot with all of our teams, our sponsors, our people, to where it’s not gonna put undue stress on us midseason. It kind of gives you that opportunity to find whoever maybe taking that role over. I don’t have any insight at this point into what that looks like beyond the next couple of months, but I’m really happy for Steve and appreciate the opportunity to work with him through all these years and have that friendship. He’s not going too far away. He might not be in the sport, but he’ll just be a short drive up the road from where we’re at now, so I’d imagine we won’t be strangers at the end of the day.”

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE NEWS? “Steve talked to me and we had a conversation. He was just proactive in saying, he said, ‘I don’t want you blindsided by this. I want this to be as professional as possible. I don’t want you to hear it from anybody else.’ So, he reached out and we got to talk for a good period of time and kind of went through where his mind is at and what’s led him to his decision. A couple of questions from me about what it means for us going forward and does he feel like there’s anything that we need to be on the lookout for and, ultimately, he just assured me that we are in a great place as an organization. This timing is not going to put any kind of draw on the company as we go through that transition and obviously he’s sticking around to help make that an easier transition as well.”

IS THERE ANY CONCERN ON YOUR PART ABOUT UNCERTAINTY WITHIN THE COMPANY ABOUT THIS CHANGE? “I think that there’s always that risk, but I think that he’s staying around. I think that we will have any of those unknowns answered or put into place by the time we get to that point of the year where people start to get antsy about what next season brings. I do think that the timing in talking with Steve and understanding where our entire group is at, I’m confident and believe in what he said and believe in what everybody within these walls has talked about that this is part of life, part of business, whatever it may be. I adamantly hate change. I tell people this all the time and maybe to a detriment to myself, so on that side of it I certainly hate the idea of the movement there and what that may bring. Ultimately, I do believe that we’re in a good spot to the point where I think that we can, I won’t say control what everyone is feeling, but I think it should put everyone else at ease knowing that we feel like we’re in a good spot and that we can make this transition pretty easy.”

LOOKING AT CHICAGO, HOW MUCH DO YOU LOOK AT COTA AND MEXICO TO SEE WHO IS GOOD OR THE FACT IT’S A STREET COURSE DOES THAT NOT MEAN MUCH? “You know what, road racing is road racing in general, but street racing is its own animal. There are things that you can certainly take about it. I’m hoping you’re not asking me for betting advice right now (laughing). I got the refresher. I know you did, but I think that the street course does present its own challenges in that sense, that you have to be a little bit more disciplined there. There are drivers that are very fast and maybe a little bit out of control in a lot of road courses. Most all road courses give you the ability to be a little out of control at times and not pay a penalty, so you have to be right on your marks here and that is a massive challenge of it. I think that’s why we saw SVG come in the first race and take everybody to school. Nobody had that experience to figure it out and then Mexico City happens, so I’m not sure what to make of it. Ultimately, there’s a lot of things that tell me we’re gonna be very competitive as we come into the Chicago Street Course and a lot of things that will line up based on just general road racing.”

THREE MORE ROAD COURSES COMING UP. DO YOU LIKE THEY’RE THIS CLOSE TOGETHER OR WOULD YOU LIKE THEM MORE SPREAD OUT? “I don’t have an answer for you just yet. In my mind, part of says, ‘You know what, find a rhythm and get to work.’ That’s where my head is at right now. I think if you get to the end of it, you might say, ‘Man, that was a lot,’ and would have liked to spread that out through different times of the season, but right now I’m on board and I want to see if this is one of those things we talk about momentum in our sport all the time and while it’s made up in some people’s minds, it works more times than not and, to me, it means that if you can get momentum on your side for these road courses that we’re getting off too early, then I think it can carry over into Sonoma and the Glen as well. So, I’m curious to see how it all plays out. We’ll kind of get some feedback from the industry and from our fans and see where their mind was at at the end of it, but I’m on board right now.”

DOES INDIANAPOLIS GET YOU EXCITED AND WHAT IS THE KEY TO RUNNING WELL THERE? “I’m really excited about Indy, first of all. I’m really optimistic knowing the speed of our race cars here at RFK at places like Michigan or Pocono or even Kansas. We’ve been really fast at these higher speed racetracks and, to me, that translates really well to Indy and we were really good there last year. We had our own issues that held us back from a strong day, but we were really fast in that time, and I think we can be really, really good this go-around. I’m really excited about that race simply because I think that it’s an opportunity for us to go win, just like any other race, but it’s also one of our crown jewels as well. We’ve got to be ready for it. We know it’s gonna be a big weekend. It’s a racetrack that’s gonna be track position sensitive, and I know we all hate having that conversation, but it is what it is, so we need to go there, we need to unload with speed. We have I guess we call this a full practice now, but we have 45 or 50 minutes of practice being a premier event, so we’ll have time to work on it and if we can qualify strong and up front, then that will show we have the speed and that will definitely translate over into the race.”

WHAT DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE TO DO OVER THE NEXT MONTH TO SOLIDIFY MAKING THE PLAYOFFS? “Win. It’s a must-win. I don’t think you can look at it and say it’s not. I think we need to go to the racetrack and we need to take chances and be fast. All of that brings points with it and if that’s what we have to fall back to, then I hope we fall back and say that it was enough and we were proud that we were fast enough to earn those points in these stretches. I know over the last five weeks I saw a stat where our team has put more points on the board than anybody else in the garage, so that’s not because we’re points racing. That’s because we are bringing fast Mustangs to the racetrack. We’re executing at a high level across the board and we’re working on just getting these small details, fine-tuning this last little bit to where we can be in contention to win or put a trophy up on the shelf and that ultimately is the lock in. I’m really proud of the speed that we have right now, but I believe it’s going to take grabbing a checkered flag to get us into the playoffs at this point. We’ve been on this bubble a couple times through the years and we’ve felt safe at times even, but it wasn’t. We’ve got a lot of opportunities for different winners over the next several races, whether that is Daytona or road courses. It’s time to win races. I think we’re gonna consider ourselves in a must-win, and I think it’s important too because a lot of cars know that they are in a must-win no matter what, that are gonna be taking those same chances and opportunities and risks.”

For the third consecutive year, the NASCAR Cup Series will take to the streets of downtown Chicago for one of the most distinctive events on the schedule, the Grant Park 165. The 2.2-mile, 12-turn street circuit winds through iconic city roads including Columbus Drive, Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, with the start/finish line and pit road situated in front of the landmark Buckingham Fountain.

As the Cup Series returns to the heart of the city, it also revisits the shadow of Soldier Field, one of America’s most storied sports venues and a place with unique meaning for Wood Brothers Racing. Team founder Glenn Wood captured a NASCAR Convertible Division victory there on June 29, 1957, piloting his No. 22 Ford to the win in a race where only two drivers finished on the lead lap. His share of the purse was just $600.

That triumph was part of a short but notable stretch of NASCAR competition at Soldier Field, which also included a Cup Series race in 1956 and two other convertible events.

This time around, Josh Berry will take on the streets of downtown Chicago in the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

“Chicago is a tight and technical course that demands a lot of focus to navigate cleanly,” Berry said. “With heavy braking zones at most corners and everyone fighting for position, keeping the car in one piece is a big priority.

“Passing isn’t easy here, so being patient and methodical is key to making it to the end.”

Track activity begins Saturday with practice and qualifying scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on truTV. Sunday’s 75-lap, 165-mile street race is slated for 2 p.m. ET with broadcast coverage on TNT.

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.”

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Performance
Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.

About Wood Brothers Racing
Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over eight decades, the team has earned 101 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in NASCAR’s premier series with Josh Berry.

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Chicago Street Race
July 5-6, 2025

NASCAR will once again open up the month of July in the “Windy City” with the Cup and Xfinity Series hitting the city streets for the third rendition of the Chicago Street Race.

The doubleheader will get underway with the Xfinity Series in Saturday’s The Loop 110, followed by the Cup Series in Sunday’s Grant Park 165. NASCAR’s short history of street racing has seen a commanding performance by the Chevrolet camp with the Bowtie brand entering the weekend as the only triumphant manufacturer in both divisions at the circuit.

UNDEFEATED IN THE “WINDY CITY”

Just two years ago, a history-making weekend turned into a career-defining moment for Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen. Taking the green flag in the NASCAR Cup Series for the very first time, the Auckland, New Zealand, native became the first driver in 60 years to win in his debut start in the sport’s top division. The victory was accompanied by a Team Chevy top-five sweep earned by drivers representing four different Chevrolet organizations. One year ago, Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman snapped an 80-race winless streak and put Chevrolet back in victory lane at the Chicago circuit for the second-consecutive season. Success has been shared across the Chevrolet camp at the circuit with five of its full-time organizations earning top-10 results in the two-race stint. Kyle Busch has piloted his Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet to top-10 results in each event, with Kaulig Racing earning a best finish of second in the inaugural event and Hyak Motorsports scoring a sixth-place finish in 2024.

 BOWMAN ON BRINK OF FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON

Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman is hungrier than ever to get back into victory lane, and the 32-year-old Tucson, Arizona, native is setting himself up for the opportunity to do just that this weekend. Bowman and the No. 48 Chevrolet team already have the momentum as the series’ defending winners in the Chicago Street Race. But on top of that, the Chevrolet driver is on a hot streak of top-five finishes in two of the past three races, which started on the left- and right-hand turns of Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Also earning a ninth-place finish in the first road course race of the season at Circuit of The Americas, Bowman will enter the weekend with six top-10 finishes in the past 10 road races.

BACK WHERE IT ALL STARTED

The Chicago Street Course will forever hold a special place in Shane van Gisbergen’s racing career. The three-time Australian Supercars Champion made the crossover of a lifetime two seasons ago that ended in a history-making victory and catapulted the Chevrolet driver into a full-time NASCAR career. Now competing in his rookie campaign in NASCAR’s top division, Van Gisbergen already solidified his shot at the championship title thanks to his dominating triumph in Mexico City just a few weeks ago. Looking to become the series’ fourth repeat winner of the season, there’s no better opportunity than the streets of Chicago. Van Gisbergen is the only driver to have earned a victory in both divisions at the “Windy City” circuit, with the driver also taking a Kaulig Racing-prepared Chevrolet to victory lane in the Xfinity Series last season. All five of his NASCAR national series victories have been earned making left- and right-hand turns.

 BROWN BACK STATESIDE

Yet another Supercars standout will make the crossover back into the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend. Reigning Australian Supercars Champion, Will Brown, is set to make his second career start in NASCAR’s top division at the Chicago Street Course – this time behind the wheel of a third entry for Kaulig Racing. The 27-year-old Australian native made his Cup Series debut with Richard Childress Racing at Sonoma Raceway last season. The driver quickly found his footing behind the wheel of a Next Gen Camaro ZL1. Brown clocked-in third-fastest overall in practice, but battled an electrical issue throughout the remainder of the weekend. Looking to follow suit of fellow Supercars champion, Shane van Gisbergen, a win in Sunday’s event would make Brown the first-ever Australian-born driver to win in NASCAR’s top division.

 TEAM CHEVY LEADS IN PLAYOFF BERTHS

After being a consistent contender throughout much of the season, Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team earned their spot back in victory lane at EchoPark Speedway last weekend. The win – his 20th all-time in his Cup Series career – added onto an already strong first-half of the 2025 season for the 29-year-old Dawsonville, Georgia, native. Elliott has been a steady fixture in the top-10 of the driver points standings throughout the season, with the Chevrolet driver making his way up into the second position following his win – now sitting just 37-points behind his teammate, William Byron.

With 18 points-paying races complete in NASCAR’s top division, Chevrolet sits at a series-best seven wins. As the playoff picture inches closer, the Bowtie brand also leads the series in early playoff berths with Elliott becoming the manufacturer’s fifth different driver to find victory lane this season.

SANCHEZ ADDS TO STELLAR XFINITY SERIES SEASON

2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Rookie of the Year’ contender, Nick Sanchez, added onto an already stout list of season winners by picking up his first victory in just 25 career starts in the series at EchoPark Speedway. The victory marks Chevrolet’s 15th win in 17 Xfinity Series races, with the Bowtie brand heading to the “Windy City” looking to extend its win streak into the double-digits. Continuing to prove the strength across the Chevrolet camp, Big Machine Racing is now the fourth different organization under the Bowtie banner to earn a trip to victory lane this season. Sanchez is the ninth different Chevrolet driver to contribute to the manufacturer’s 2025 win count – six of which are full-time competitors that have also earned an early playoff berth.

Opportunity lies ahead for the Bowtie brigade to turn its season win streak into 10-straight this weekend. Returning to the circuit as the series’ defending winners, the manufacturer has also gone two-for-two making left- and right-hand turns this season courtesy of wins by Connor Zilisch (Circuit of The Americas) and Daniel Suarez (Mexico City).

 ZILISCH AMONG LEADING ROAD COURSE WARRIORS

Among the sport’s road course warriors includes Team Chevy’s rising star, Connor Zilisch. Already proving to be diverse on each configuration on the circuit, the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Rookie of the Year’ contender has found early success in his road racing roots. Zilisch found victory lane in his first career start at Watkins Glen International in Sept. 2024, becoming just the seventh driver in Xfinity Series history to win in his debut. Now competing in a full-time campaign in the series, Zilisch has tallied three victories in just 20 career starts behind the wheel of a Camaro SS, with his first of the season coming at Circuit of The Americas in March. On top of the victory, the 18-year old North Carolina native has swept the pole wins in both road course races this season, as well as tallied a top-five finish in Mexico City. Heading into his first start at the Chicago Street Course, Zilisch’s expertise on left- and right-hand turns is accompanied by a string of five-straight top-five finishes, dating back to a pair of runner-up results at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway.

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 18 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 7

Poles: 8

Laps Led: 2,293

Top-Fives: 37

Top-10s: 78

Stage Wins: 16

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 17 NASCAR Xfinity Series races complete:

Wins: 15

Poles: 10

Laps Led: 2,255

Top-Fives: 58

Top-10s: 111

Stage Wins: 26

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 15 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races complete:

Wins: 6

Poles: 2

Laps Led: 854

Top-Fives: 35

Top-10s: 71

Stage Wins: 7

BOWTIE BULLETS:

• The pace car lineup for the NASCAR doubleheader weekend at the Chicago Street Course will feature all three NASCAR OEM partners, with the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS assisting in pacing the Cup Series in Sunday’s Grant Park 165 and the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray assisting in pacing the Xfinity Series in Saturday’s The Loop 110.
• Together with NASCAR, ABB and the sports’ OEM partners, Chevrolet will be participating in an electric vehicle showcase during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend. The showcase on Sunday will feature live exhibition track laps by the Chevy, Ford and ABB electric vehicle prototypes, with the Chevrolet Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype being driven by Rajah Caruth.
• Chevrolet heads into the third annual Chicago Street Race undefeated in NASCAR’s top division:

July 2023 – Shane van Gisbergen
July 2024 – Alex Bowman

• Chevrolet drivers swept the top-five finishing positions in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race – recorded by drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations. The feat marked the second time the Bowtie brand swept the top-five finishing results in the Next Gen era – also accomplishing the feat at another road course, Road America, in July 2022.
• Chevrolet has earned at least half of the top-10 finishing results in 10 of the 18 points-paying races thus far this season, including a season-high seven top-10 finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
• In 126 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 59 victories – a winning percentage of 46.8%.
• With its 43 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 873 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series
Challenge Round 2 – Grant Park 165

Sunday, June 6, at 2 p.m. ET
(TNT, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

The Loop 110
Saturday, June 5, at 4:30 p.m. ET
(CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Do you enjoy road racing?

“I’m ready to turn left and right again. I’ve really grown to like road course racing and it is something I’ve spent time improving on. The better I get at it, the more I like it. It’s fun to have Shane and Daniel as teammates because they’re both so good at road racing and I can learn from them and obviously Connor knows his way around road courses too. I need to have a clean race this weekend. Mexico City was going well until the spin, pit road and things like that. I’m really looking forward to Chicago this weekend.”

Chicago is a unique event… do you like racing in the city?

“Chicago is such a fun weekend. It’s unique in that we can just walk across the street to the track. We don’t have rental cars and can walk or take transportation everywhere. There is something for everyone – museums, parks, excellent food. It feels really familiar now that it’s going to be our third year.”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

What are your thoughts on racing on the streets of Chicago?

“The Chicago Street Course is an awesome race to check out. There are tight corners that impact how you enter and exit the corners. You’ve got to be so precise. The walls are very tight, and it’s easy to make a mistake on the Chicago street course. The past couple of years, we’ve had to deal with the rain. Our Richard Childress Racing team will be ready for whatever comes our way.”

What’s it like driving the Chicago Street Course compared to a regular track—does it feel different behind the wheel?

“The Chicago Street Course is very different from the other courses we race on. We’re racing on the streets of downtown Chicago, and seeing the city skyline and the traffic lights definitely gives the race a different feeling. It’s a pretty cool sight to race around Buckingham Fountain and other historic monuments in the city. It’s going to be a great July Fourth holiday weekend. The fan support is huge, and NASCAR puts on a great race.”

Kyle Larson, No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

Larson on the Chicago Street Race:

“It’s a really fun event. I love it. I hope the weather is good, rain has kind of come out of no where the last couple of years. I hope it goes good. The fans deserve to see a good race there. I love being in the city and walking to the race track and good food, it’s fun.”

Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

What are your thoughts heading to Chicago?

“Chicago is one of my favorite races of the year. The atmosphere and crowd are incredible, so it’s always a special weekend. I’ve been looking forward to the Chicago Street Race all season. Our cars were fast at both road races this season, so I’m eager to see how we’ll do on the street course.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

There’s a whole lot of unique tracks coming up on the schedule, is there anything you can take from that?

“Each week we try to continue to focus on that week’s race and making sure that we know what to do to have good results. There’s a few road courses coming up, so honestly, some might say ‘hey, we screwed up road course points at Mexico, so now we’re not going to be very good on all the rest of the road courses.’ I wouldn’t say that’s true. You can either do really well and earn a lot of points at those races by staying out at the end of the stages and playing the strategy game, or you can have what happened to us in Mexico and have an incident where you get zero points. It’s up to our team to do everything we can to maximize the opportunities to earn points.”

Anytime you get to any of the road courses, you don’t want to have to deal with those road course ringers, right?

“The A.J. Allmendinger’s or the Shane van Gisbergen’s, those guys are really good, and recognized for their road course experience, although, last year Alex Bowman won the race and he does not come from a road course racing background. So, it’s anyone and everyone in the field that can go out there and get it done on at the road course races.”

Would you be okay with adding another street race to the schedule? If so, what would be a good location?

“Another street circuit would be a pretty good idea. If we’re going to do it, we should go to an area that we’re not currently racing in. I wouldn’t change racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to run on the streets of Las Vegas. Let’s go somewhere different.”

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Elliott on the performance of the team:

“We’ve just been doing this long enough to know it all kind of starts and ends with us. We have to make sure we’re doing our part and I’m doing my part. Just bringing everything I can possibly bring every single week. It’s the honest conversations that we have on Monday mornings that are either going to make us better or make us fail. All of the pieces of the puzzle are there. We’re working on the right things. I think I’m asking for the right things out of the car. I’m really proud of our team for just sticking together. I think there’s been so many times that we could have thrown in the towel and really kind of fractured from the inside. It’s a really important thing for me to have climbed that mountain and stood on top of it with AG (Alan Gustafson) and we’ve kind of fallen off that hill. Getting back to the top with him and with our group and doing it together, I think is a really important thing to do. We have so much respect for one another as a team that we’re going to continue to make each other better as we push forward.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

“I love racing on the streets of Chicago, and I always think it’s a fun event overall. Racing on a street course is unique; it’s challenging in so many different ways. The weather has always been a factor there and that throws another kind of obstacle to figure out. The two years we’ve been there have been difficult in the way the race has played out. I need to be better with some of the mistakes I have made on track and we’re working hard to get a better result. Our focus this year is getting out there and having a good practice. That will set the tone for the weekend and that’s probably where we’ve lacked most in the past. I’m doing all my homework to try to be better for practice and moving on to put together a good race. We’ve had opportunities to have really good finishes, and it just hasn’t played out. We’re working to learn from those mistakes and be better this weekend.”

William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Byron on the Chicago Street Race:

“Honestly, I’m just hoping we have good weather this weekend in Chicago. The last two years it has rained, and it really changed the dynamic of how the race goes and who is a factor. It would just be cool to see how the race plays out when that element isn’t involved. But even if it is, we have two years of experience with it. I just love the vibe the race brings, racing downtown through the city. It’s unlike the other venues we go to, and I think it brings an element that we need.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

“I’m excited to light up the streets of Chicago and represent Rate in front of their hometown crowd.”

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Bowman on returning to the Chicago Street Race after winning last season :

“Going back to Chicago is pretty special. That win last year was huge for me and this 48 team it was one of those races where everything came together at the right time. The street course is such a unique challenge, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else we see all year. I’m excited to get back there, defend that win, and hopefully keep building momentum for the playoff push.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

What are your thoughts heading back to a track where you have back-to-back top-10’s and how do you feel about NASCAR’s attempt at street racing?

“I am looking forward to Chicago, it is a fun track and hopefully we can get a smooth weekend with no rain. It is a place we have finished in the top five and top 10 a couple of times, and I feel confident going there. Our road course program is getting better each race and I really feel like we are building on something. We still have things to learn, but I feel like going into Chicago and Sonoma back-to-back gives us a couple of good opportunities to win, and get into the playoffs.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

How does a street course differ from the traditional road courses the Cup Series typically visits?

”The biggest difference, which is also the most obvious, is we’re racing on a surface that sees high traffic on a daily basis compared to a purpose-built track that holds events a few times a year. The City of Chicago and NASCAR do a great job making sure the course is prepared for us and we’ve seen improvement each year the series has gone back to Chicago. Because we’re racing on streets that are built for people to navigate through a city, the corners are usually a bit more narrow and that’s where we’ve seen a lot of incidents in the past. You run out of room quickly when everyone is fighting for the preferred line. Weather has been a factor the last two years so I guess we’ll see what comes of that, but that’s pretty normal for this time of year, anywhere we race. I’m really excited for this weekend’s race. There’s always a lot of action on track and a lot of fun things to do in the city.”

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Chicago has been really good to you. What does that city and street course mean to you?

“Ah, every time I come back, I get the memories of the first-ever race, coming and doing really well here. This city will always hold so many memories. I’m really looking forward to getting back on the streets of Chicago and hopefully getting a third win for the city and a second Chicago win for Trackhouse.”

How are you feeling about this weekend?

“We should be very strong this weekend. I know everyone is going to be better. Last year was a big step up on competition and I know this year will be, too. We just have to continue to focus on us. We’ve prepped very hard, spent last week’s simulator time on Chicago, so hopefully we get there this weekend and are solid.”

What is Chicago a track that fits your driving style so well? You have been very successful there…

“It’s just like the tracks I’ve grown up racing on. In Supercars there are a lot of street circuits on the schedule, so I’m comfortable with the walls. It’s similar to a few tracks that I raced in Australia, whereas most of these guys aren’t used to street circuits. Just something I’m comfortable with and have spent many years racing.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

What are your thoughts on Chicago?

“I am very optimistic. We’ve been fast there both years. It was frustrating because we had a really good car and I thought we would be there at the end, but we ended up having too many issues. I know we are good enough to win this race on Sunday.”

What is the key to winning?

“You have to survive. Stay out of trouble. You do that by qualifying well, making good pit stops, good strategy and having a little bit of luck.”

How important is Chicago to NASCAR?

“I think Chicago is very important. We need as many new markets as possible, plus, it’s a fun place to visit.”

How important is having Jockey on your car this weekend?

“Jockey is a huge supporter of Trackhouse Racing and I know they spend a lot of time thinking about the paint schemes they bring to the track. Not only do they make us look good on the track, but we get a lot of Jockey apparel that helps us look good off the track.”

On parting ways with Trackhouse at the end of the 2025 season:

“I want to thank all the men and women at Trackhouse Racing for your love and support. I’ve had some of the best years of my Cup Series career at Trackhouse. We had great successes as a team and I gained some incredible friends. We took a team nobody had even heard of in 2021 and in just a couple of years we were winning races and running up front on a weekly basis. Just like the seasons in a year, sometimes things change and we have mutually agreed to each go in our own direction. I wish Trackhouse nothing but the best, this No. 99 team will always be special to me. And like I always say, the best is ahead!”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2024): 43

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Most recent: 2024

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2024): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2025 STATISTICS:

Wins: 7

Poles: 8

Laps Led: 2,293

Top-Fives: 37

Top-10s: 78

Stage Wins: 16

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 873 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 761

Laps led to date: 255,004

Top-fives to date: 4,406

Top-10s to date: 9,085

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,207

       Chevrolet: 873

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 844                                                                                  

       Ford: 744

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 196

 

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Chicago Street Cours
Sunday, July 6, 2025
2.14-Mile Road Cours
2 PM ET
Location: Chicago
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 19 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 17th (Atlanta)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 3rd

No. 5 Valvoline Chevrolet

2025	Cup Career	Chicago Street
Races	18	384	2
Wins	3	32	0
Poles	1	22	1
Top 5	9	128	1
Top 10	12	194	1
Laps Led	851	10,107	0
Stage Wins	8	70	0
Average Finish	12.7	14.0	21.5

• Kyle Larson leads all NASCAR Cup Series drivers with nine top-five finishes and 12 top 10s in 2025. That marks his second-highest total of top 10s in a season’s first 18 races (2021).
• The 32-year-old is tied for the most road course wins in the Next Gen era with Tyler Reddick (three).
• Larson has the third-best average finish this season at 12.67.
• On 36 laps on road courses this season, Larson turned in the fastest time. That’s the highest total in the series, 13 more than the next-closest driver, Shane van Gisbergen (23).
• Larson has won two of his last six starts on road courses. His most recent road-course victory came at the 2024 Charlote ROVAL.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 29 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 1st (Atlanta)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 2nd

No. 9 NAPA Gold Filters Chevrolet

2025	Cup Career	Chicago Street
Races	18	340	2
Wins	1	19	0
Poles	0	12	0
Top 5	6	110	1
Top 10	10	181	1
Laps Led	136	5,662	0
Stage Wins	0	38	0
Average Finish	10.3	12.8	12.0

• With his victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend, Chase Elliott is now second in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season points standings, 37 markers behind teammate William Byron.
• The triumph was his second at Atlanta and his 20th career Cup Series win, making him the fourth driver to reach 20 victories with Hendrick Motorsports.
• The 29-year-old advanced to the second round of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge. Elliott will be up against John Hunter Nemechek in the Chicago Street Race. Elliott has finished better than Nemechek in 14 of 18 events this season, including both road course races.
• Elliott’s average finish of 10.23 in 2025 leads the series and is also his second best ever in the first 18 races of a season. He is the only driver to finish in the top 20 in every event so far.
• His three consecutive top-five finishes account for the longest active streak in the series and his longest of the season.
• Heading into Chicago this weekend, Elliott is tied for the longest active streak of top fives on road courses with three.
• The 2020 Cup Series champion has the most road course wins among active drivers and the third all-time behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (nine) and Tony Stewart (eight). His average finish of 8.84 leads active drivers (minimum four starts).
• In the Next Gen era on road courses, Elliott has led 147 laps – the most by a driver without a win so far. His average finish of 9.83 in that span ranks second and his 585 points earned rank third.
• Elliott’s autographed race-winning Desi9n to Drive uniform is up for grabs as part of a sweepstakes fundraiser that runs through July 9.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 27 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 37th (Atlanta)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st

No. 24 All-Pro Chevrolet

2025	Cup Career	Chicago Street
Races	18	270	2
Wins	1	14	0
Poles	2	15	0
Top 5	7	61	0
Top 10	10	114	1
Laps Led	769	3,747	0
Stage Wins	7	30	0
Average Finish	12.8	15.0	10.5

• William Byron is in the midst of a remarkable 2025 season, leading the driver points standings for 15 out of 18 weeks including presently by 37 markers. He has also collected the most stage points (188).
• The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has paced the field in a NASCAR Cup Series-leading 13 of 18 events for a total of 769 laps (second most).
• The driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet has an average starting position of 11th (second best) this season and an average finish of 12.78 (fourth best).
• In the Next Gen era on road courses, Byron has a 12.74 average finish and has collected 541 points.
• In the last nine road course races, Byron has two wins, two second-place finishes, five top-five finishes and seven top 10s, all tied for the most. He also has led 110 laps which ranks second.
• Currently, the 27-year-old driver has three consecutive top-10 finishes on road courses which is tied for the second longest active streak. Byron is one of six drivers who finished in the top 10 at both Circuit of The Americas as well as in Mexico City this year.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 32 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 3rd (Atlanta)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 12th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

2025	Cup Career	Chicago Street
Races	18	343	2
Wins	0	8	1
Poles	2	7	0
Top 5	4	44	1
Top 10	9	105	1
Laps Led	157	1,525	8
Stage Wins	0	7	0
Average Finish	17.9	19.3	19.0

• After a third-place finish in Atlanta last weekend, Alex Bowman enters this weekend 15th in the playoff standings, 39 points above the elimination line.
• The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet returns to the Chicago Street Course as the defending race winner, having captured his eighth career NASCAR Cup Series victory there in 2024 after leading the final eight laps. Bowman remains the only driver to win on both the Chicago Street Course and the Chicagoland Speedway oval.
• The Tuscon, Arizona, native will return to the Windy City on Thursday, July 3, for a full day of community events and media appearances. Bowman’s schedule includes visits to the South Side YMCA for The NASCAR Foundation’s Speediatrics Fun Day Festival and to Chicago Animal Care and Control for a pet adoption event. He will also appear at NASCAR’s Speed and Sound Fest at the DuSable Black History Museum where he’ll take part in a fan panel alongside historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas.
• Chicago marks the second race of the five-race NASCAR In-Season Challenge. After defeating Joey Logano in Atlanta, Bowman advanced into the second round and will face Bubba Wallace.
• For this weekend’s Chicago race the Best Friends Animal shelter partner is One Tail At A Time in Chicago.
• Ally and HENDRICKCARS.COM are teaming up again to give fans the chance to win prizes with this year’s “Open Road Sweepstakes.” Fans can win VIP experiences at various races throughout the season and one lucky winner will hit the open road in a Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss with an Airstream camper. Fans can stop by the Ally Fan Zone to enter the sweepstakes in-person and check out the camper. Fans can also enter at ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar.

Hendrick Motorsports

2025	All-Time	Chicago Street
Races	18	1,399	2
Wins	5	317*	1**
Poles	5	258*	1**
Top 5	26*	1,305*	3*
Top 10	41*	2,228*	4*
Laps Led	1,913*	84,225*	8
Stage Wins	15*	130	0

*Most all time
**Tied for most all time

• With Chase Elliott winning and Alex Bowman coming home third at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports pushed its organizational record for consecutive races with a car in the top five to 26 events dating back to last season. It remains the only team to have a top-five finisher in each of this season’s races.
• The Hendrick Motorsports engine shop has won 15 combined poles (seven in the NASCAR Cup Series and eight in the Xfinity Series) and 16 combined races (five in the Cup Series, 10 in the Xfinity Series and the preseason Clash) this year.
• Hendrick Motorsports has led 40% of all laps raced through 18 events this season. Its 1,913 circuits paced are the third most through a season’s first 18 races in company history. The team has led at least one lap in each of the last 33 races, the longest active streak by any organization and Hendrick Motorsports’ third-longest streak all time
• The organization’s 15 combined stage wins are tied for the most ever through 18 races in a season.
• Hendrick Motorsports enters this weekend’s race at the Chicago Street Course with Bowman as the event’s defending winner. Kyle Larson sat on the pole for last year’s race. The organization’s three top fives and four top 10s are the most in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• Five of the last nine road course races have gone to Hendrick Motorsports. The company leads all teams in poles, wins, top fives, top 10s, laps led and average finish on serpentine tracks in the Next Gen era.

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Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on the Chicago Street Race: “It’s a really fun event. I love it. I hope the weather is good, rain has kind of come out of no where the last couple of years. I hope it goes good. The fans deserve to see a good race there. I love being in the city and walking to the race track and good food, it’s fun.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on the performance of the team: “We’ve just been doing this long enough to know it all kind of starts and ends with us. We have to make sure we’re doing our part and I’m doing my part. Just bringing everything I can possibly bring every single week. It’s the honest conversations that we have on Monday mornings that are either going to make us better or make us fail. All of the pieces of the puzzle are there. We’re working on the right things. I think I’m asking for the right things out of the car. I’m really proud of our team for just sticking together. I think there’s been so many times that we could have thrown in the towel and really kind of fractured from the inside. It’s a really important thing for me to have climbed that mountain and stood on top of it with AG (Alan Gustafson) and we’ve kind of fallen off that hill. Getting back to the top with him and with our group and doing it together, I think is a really important thing to do. We have so much respect for one another as a team that we’re going to continue to make each other better as we push forward.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on the Chicago Street Race: “Honestly, I’m just hoping we have good weather this weekend in Chicago. The last two years it has rained, and it really changed the dynamic of how the race goes and who is a factor. It would just be cool to see how the race plays out when that element isn’t involved. But even if it is, we have two years of experience with it. I just love the vibe the race brings, racing downtown through the city. It’s unlike the other venues we go to, and I think it brings an element that we need.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on returning to the Chicago Street Race after winning last year: “Going back to Chicago is pretty special. That win last year was huge for me and this 48 team it was one of those races where everything came together at the right time. The street course is such a unique challenge, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else we see all year. I’m excited to get back there, defend that win, and hopefully keep building momentum for the playoff push.”