From a massive pile-up involving more than half the drivers on NASCAR Chicago’s street circuit to a stunning tire crash, wet roads and tight corners made for an accident-prone race at the historic downtown race.
Experts had already predicted difficult conditions before massive flooding and torrential rain increased the challenges for the drivers taking part in this unique event.
The 2.2-mile course took drivers at high speed past famous city landmarks and across major roads, peppered with 90-degree turns – both left and right – and with almost no room for error.
Originally scheduled for 100 laps, the race was shortened to 75 laps due to rain delays causing riders to compete and the sunset to last.
None of that stopped Shane van Gisbergen from making Chicago Cup Series history.
Here’s a look at some of the many accidents observed during Chicago’s first street race:
The overtime warning
Dillon’s Wall
Traffic jam on Michigan Avenue
With just over 50 laps completed, a massive pile-up claimed the lives of more drivers than any other accident in the race.
As the cars turned off Michigan Avenue onto Jackson Drive at Turn 11, William Byron spun and hit the guardrail.
Both Kevin Harvick and Corey LaJoie then turned as they attempted to avoid his car, causing a group of cars to start. Byron then tried to get back on track, blocking the only way out of the corner.
Kevin Harvick and Corey LaJoie caused a pileup on the NASCAR track, resulting in the sixth caution of the race
Bowman and Hamlin falter
Noah Gragson’s Turn 6 nightmare
The sandwich
The tire barrier debacle
Thanks to Kyle Busch, it only took three laps before the first warning flag was raised.
Busch, who started the race 18th, was just coming down Columbus Drive when he lost control of his car at Turn 6 and crashed into the tire barrier at the intersection of Columbus and Balbo Drive:
No. 8 Kyle Busch earns the first caution in the NASCAR Chicago Street Race when he crashes at Turn 6