The Chicago Xfinity Winner Is Cole Custer
Rain and puddles on the course prevented the first Xfinity Series Chicago Street Race from continuing on Sunday, but NASCAR proclaimed Cole Custer as the winner.
Rain and puddles on the course prevented the first Xfinity Series Chicago Street Race from continuing on Sunday, but NASCAR proclaimed Cole Custer as the winner.
Rain and puddles on the course prevented the first Xfinity Series Chicago Street Race from continuing on Sunday, but NASCAR proclaimed Cole Custer as the winner.
Custer has earned 12 victories in his Xfinity career and two this year. After 25 of the scheduled 55 laps, the race was called.
Although the race was not halfway over, it was decided to end. In a statement released on Sunday, NASCAR gave the following justification for their choice:
“With standing water and flooding a significant issue at the race track and throughout the city, there was no option to return to racing prior to shifting to NASCAR Cup Series race operations. Throughout the entire planning process for the Chicago Street Race, our relationship with the City of Chicago has been strong and among the most valuable assets in reaching this historic weekend.”
“In the spirit of that partnership, returning on Monday for the completion of a NASCAR Xfinity Series event two laps short of halfway was an option we chose not to employ. Based on several unprecedented circumstances, NASCAR has made the decision to declare Cole Custer the winner of the race.”
Before the race was delayed by lightning and rain on Saturday, Custer had the pole position and had led all 25 laps. Although there were puddles all over the course due to the heavy rain, it was supposed to resume Sunday morning.
Later in the day, the weather is predicted to clear. On NBC and Peacock, the Cup race is set to start at 5:05 p.m. ET.
Second place went to John Hunter Nemechek. Austin Hill and Brett Moffitt came in after Justin Allgaier in third place.
Sammy Smith, Parker Kligerman, Daniel Hemric, Chandler Smith, and Kaz Grala finished sixth through tenth, respectively.
Winner of Stage 1: Cole Custer
Who did well in the race: Cole Custer won the starting position, the opening stage, every lap run, and the overall event. The third-place performance of Justin Allgaier is his sixth top-three finish in the previous seven races. Fourth place is Brett Moffitt’s best placement of the year. His finest result since 2021, in other words. Kaz Grala placed 10th after starting 25th.
Who had a bad race? Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks, who competed for Kaulig Racing on Saturday, had his first Xfinity start since 2018. He lost time in his race due to an engine blowout, and he came in last in the field of 38 cars.
Next Series: The series races will occur in Atlanta on July 8 at 8 p.m. ET on USA.
