NASCAR’s Chicago weekend gets off to a rainy start

Fans flooded the Grant Park area for day one, but Saturday’s race and concerts were cut short due to severe weather.

By WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times Staff
NASCAR race cars take the streets of Chicago during the The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday.
NASCAR race cars take the streets of Chicago during the The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
NASCAR race cars take the streets of Chicago during the The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday.
NASCAR race cars take the streets of Chicago during the The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times

NASCAR’s Chicago weekend gets off to a rainy start

Fans flooded the Grant Park area for day one, but Saturday’s race and concerts were cut short due to severe weather.

By WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times Staff
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NASCAR’s big day in Chicago has arrived — but it is off to a soggy start. Drivers are scheduled to drive 100 laps in the inaugural Grant Park 220 race on Sunday afternoon, but so far, weather has thrown a wrench into the weekend’s agenda.

Saturday’s  Xfinity Loop 121 race was cut short due to severe weather. The race was slated to resume at 10 a.m. Sunday morning, but a flash flood warning  pushed that back as well. On the music front: Chicago’s own JC Brooks Band kicked things off and the Black Crowes snuck in a performance in muggy weather, but Saturday night’s headline performance from the Chainsmokers was canceled.

But before the weather moved in, throngs of fans turned out Saturday and race cars cruised through Chicago’s streets — making history as NASCAR’s first-ever street race. Here are some of the sights from day one, captured by WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times photographers.

Fans gather in the Grant Park area for NASCAR’s opening day in Chicago.
Fans gather in the Grant Park area for NASCAR’s opening day in Chicago. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
A young NASCAR spectator wears noise-reducing headphones near the Chicago Street Race course on Saturday.
A young NASCAR spectator wears noise-reducing headphones near the Chicago Street Race course on Saturday. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
Fans gather in the Grant Park area for NASCAR’s opening day in Chicago.
Fans gather in the Grant Park area for NASCAR’s opening day in Chicago. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
The JC Brooks Band performs Saturday afternoon. The group is the only local Chicago act slated to perform during the weekend.
The JC Brooks Band performs Saturday afternoon. The group is the only local Chicago act slated to perform during the weekend. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
Man dressed in American flag outfit enjoys the JC Brooks Band show Saturday afternoon.
Man dressed in American flag outfit enjoys the JC Brooks Band show Saturday afternoon. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
Crew members in pit row during Saturday’s race.
Crew members in pit row during Saturday’s race. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
NASCAR race cars take the streets of Chicago during the The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday.
NASCAR race cars take the streets of Chicago during the The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
Saturday’s 55-lap race was stopped during the 26th lap due to severe weather.
Saturday’s 55-lap race was stopped during the 26th lap due to severe weather. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
NASCAR race cars take the streets of Chicago during the The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday.
NASCAR race cars take the streets of Chicago during the The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
NASCAR racer Bubba Wallace in pit row at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday.
NASCAR racer Bubba Wallace in pit row at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
The Black Crowes play a set at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race festival on Saturday.
The Black Crowes play a set at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race festival on Saturday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
Spectators watch as NASCAR race cars drive by at The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday.
Spectators watch as NASCAR race cars drive by at The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
People walk out of Butter Field following the postponement of The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday.
People walk out of Butter Field following the postponement of The Loop 121 NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Saturday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times