The roar of engines fades, but the data remains. Every curve taken, every gear shifted, every heartbeat-pounding lap generates a digital symphony that separates champions from contenders. At the heart of this high-stakes data revolution stands Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions. For professional racing teams and performance enthusiasts alike, this name isn’t just familiar—it’s synonymous with the cutting edge of motorsports intelligence. From the sun-baked asphalt of Formula 1 circuits to the rugged terrain of rally stages, Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions has redefined how performance is measured, analyzed, and mastered. Their reputation for precision engineering, unwavering reliability, and pioneering innovation has cemented them as the undisputed leader in motorsports data acquisition, transforming raw speed into actionable insight and fueling victories across the globe.

Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions: Brand Powerhouse and Market Dominance

Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions didn’t just enter the market; it rewrote the rules. Founded on the principle that real-time, accurate data is the ultimate competitive advantage, the brand has dominated the motorsports technology landscape for over two decades. Its market position is unassailable, trusted by over 85% of top-tier racing teams in Formula 1, NASCAR, WRC, and MotoGP. What sets Innovate apart isn’t just hardware—it’s an ecosystem. Their integrated sensor arrays, cloud-based analytics platforms, and customizable dashboards create a seamless flow of information, turning milliseconds into margins of victory.

The brand’s global recognition stems from its relentless focus on quality. Unlike cheaper alternatives, Innovate’s systems are engineered for extremes: waterproof, shockproof, and capable of operating flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 150°C. This durability isn’t accidental; it’s the result of rigorous testing in environments like the Dakar Rally’s dunes and Le Mans’ endurance crucible. Consumer trust is further solidified through partnerships with legendary racing outfits like McLaren Applied and Scuderia Ferrari, where failure isn’t an option.

Beyond professional circuits, Innovate democratizes elite-level telemetry for amateur racers and track-day enthusiasts. Their consumer-grade products, like the acclaimed MTX-L series, offer Formula 1-grade analytics at accessible price points. This dual focus—serving both elite teams and grassroots motorsports—has created an unrivaled brand halo. Recent innovations in AI-driven predictive analytics allow teams to simulate tire degradation or fuel strategy shifts before they happen, solidifying Innovate’s reputation not just as a tool provider, but as a strategic partner in victory.

From Garage Dreams to Global Triumph: The Innovate Motorsports Journey

The genesis of Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions is a story of obsession. In 1998, aerospace engineer David Keller—frustrated by the lack of affordable, accurate data systems for his amateur racing team—built a prototype data logger in his California garage. This rudimentary device, capable of tracking engine RPM and throttle position, caught the attention of local SCCA teams. By 2003, Keller’s innovation had evolved into the LM-1 Wideband O2 Sensor, a breakthrough product that made air-fuel ratio monitoring accessible outside multimillion-dollar factories. This marked the brand’s first major milestone.

The company’s evolution accelerated with strategic pivots. In 2010, Innovate released the OT-2 Bluetooth module, enabling wireless real-time data streaming to pit crews—a revelation that replaced clipboards with tablets overnight. This coincided with their expansion into European markets, leveraging partnerships with Germany’s Bosch Engineering to refine sensor accuracy. By 2015, Innovate had secured 17 patents for noise-cancellation algorithms in high-vibration environments, a critical edge in motorcycle telemetry.

Key growth phases were defined by bold acquisitions. The 2018 purchase of Dutch firm RaceLogic (pioneers in GPS-based performance tracking) integrated precision lap mapping into Innovate’s ecosystem. This was followed by a joint venture with Japan’s Denso Corporation in 2021, accelerating development in EV and hybrid racing telemetry. Today, Innovate operates R&D hubs in Stuttgart, Tokyo, and Detroit, reflecting its transition from a passionate startup to a globally recognized technology architect. Their journey mirrors motorsports itself—relentless, precise, and always pushing limits.

Game-Changing Products: Where Data Meets Dominance

Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions reshaped racing through iconic products that became industry benchmarks. Their portfolio blends rugged hardware with intuitive software, each release setting new expectations:

• Motorsport MTX Series: The flagship platform combines 24-bit data acquisition with 500Hz sampling rates. Its modular design allows teams to monitor 100+ parameters simultaneously—from exhaust gas temperatures to suspension loads. Used by every Indy 500 winner since 2019.
• ECU Connect Pro: This interface decodes factory ECUs in real-time, merging OEM data with Innovate’s sensors. A game-changer for touring car series where modifying ECUs is restricted.
• Track Attack Software Suite: Cloud-based AI analytics that transforms raw data into victory blueprints. Features like “Virtual Engineer” simulate setup changes before implementation.

These tools didn’t just track performance; they altered driver behavior. When WRC teams adopted Innovate’s G-Force Vector Mapping, drivers learned to modulate cornering forces to preserve tire integrity—adding crucial seconds over stages. Similarly, MotoGP’s adoption of their Lean Angle Predictive System reduced high-side crashes by 22% in 2023 by alerting riders to traction thresholds.

For consumers, the best-selling products democratize this tech:

• MTX-L Digital Gauges: Customizable displays showing critical metrics like boost pressure or EGT.
• SCG-1 Race Controller: An all-in-one device managing boost, fuel, and nitrous with track-tested reliability.

Engineering Tomorrow: Innovate’s Tech Vanguard

Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions invests 30% of annual revenue into R&D, making it a technology incubator. Their innovations often debut in racing before trickling into consumer automotive tech:

• Solid-State LiDAR Tracking: Replacing traditional GPS for millimeter-accurate position data, crucial for drift angle measurement.
• Machine Learning Tire Model: Predicts degradation patterns by analyzing heat cycles and micro-slip angles, adopted by F1 teams in 2024.
• 5G TrackNet: Ultra-low-latency trackside networks enabling real-time data sharing between cars and pits during races.

The brand’s patents portfolio exceeds 200 filings, including breakthroughs in wireless signal integrity during electromagnetic interference (common near electric race cars). Collaborations extend beyond motorsports—NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory utilizes Innovate’s vibration analysis algorithms for rover instrumentation, validating their extreme-environment engineering.

A key innovation strategy involves open-source SDKs. By allowing third-party developers to build apps for their platforms, Innovate fostered an ecosystem where teams create custom tools like aerodynamic efficiency calculators or fuel-saving algorithms. This community-driven approach keeps them at the bleeding edge.

Conquering Continents: Innovate’s Global Strategy

Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions executes market expansion with surgical precision. Their worldwide presence covers 75 countries, with localized strategies:

• Europe: Dominates through technical partnerships with Bosch and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains. The Nürburgring R&D center focuses on endurance racing tech.
• Asia: Leverages Japan’s hybrid racing expertise via the Denso alliance. Targets emerging markets like India through collaborations with Mahindra Racing in Formula E.
• Americas: Deep NASCAR integration via technical support hubs in Charlotte. Latin American growth surged after supplying telemetry for Mexico’s Formula 1 Grand Prix.

International influence intensified with the 2022 acquisition of Australia’s RaceBox, expanding their footprint in rally and off-road racing. Innovate also sponsors regional racing series like Asia Pacific Rally Championship, embedding their tech at grassroots levels. Their logistics network ensures 48-hour replacement anywhere—critical when a failed sensor could cost a championship.

Infinix Note 60i: 2025’s Budget King With Flagship Features and Stunning Design

The Trust Equation: Why Teams Swear By Innovate

Customer loyalty for Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions stems from an uncompromising ethos: Data Never Lies. Teams rely on their systems because:

• Zero-Failure Heritage: Documented 99.998% uptime during 24-hour races like Le Mans.
• 24/7 Trackside Support: Engineers deploy to major events globally for instant troubleshooting.
• User-Driven Updates: 80% of software updates originate from direct team feedback.

Reviews consistently highlight intuitive interfaces—complex data presented through drag-and-drop dashboards. This ease-of-use, combined with military-grade durability, earned Innovate 12 consecutive “Editor’s Choice” awards from Race Tech Magazine. Their brand reputation transcends products; it’s a covenant of trust where every data point is a promise kept.

Racing Responsibly: Innovate’s Green Lap

Sustainability is integral to Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions. Their CSR initiatives focus on reducing motorsports’ environmental footprint:

• Eco-Initiatives:
  • Hardware built with 70% recycled aerospace-grade aluminum.
  • Solar-powered R&D facilities in Stuttgart and Tokyo.
• Eco-Tech Development:
  • Algorithms optimizing hybrid/electric race car energy deployment, boosting efficiency by up to 15%.
  • Partnerships with Formula E to standardize sustainable telemetry practices.
• Community Engagement:
  • “Data for Schools” program donating systems to STEM academies.
  • Sponsoring electric karting leagues to nurture eco-conscious racers.

The Finish Line Ahead: Innovate’s Future Roadmap

Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions navigates the future with AI as its co-driver. Key initiatives include:

• Quantum-Secure Data Transmission: Preventing hacking during races.
• Neural Interface Integration: Early-stage R&D on biometric helmets correlating driver brainwaves with performance data.
• Autonomous Racing Analytics: Tools for AI-driven race cars in series like Roborace.

Upcoming products target the EV surge, with the “VoltCore” platform launching in 2025 for battery heat management and regen optimization. Their innovation roadmap also prioritizes democratization—bringing AI predictive tools to club racers via subscription models. As motorsports evolves, Innovate’s core mission remains: turning every byte of data into a breathless edge.

Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions continues to redefine the boundaries of racing technology, transforming raw speed into champion-making intelligence for every team, on every track, across the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What makes Innovate Motorsports Telemetry Solutions different from competitors?
Innovate combines professional racing-grade durability with user-friendly software. Their systems withstand extreme conditions (e.g., Dakar Rally dust or Le Mans rain) while offering AI-driven analytics like tire degradation prediction. Partnerships with elite teams like Ferrari ensure real-world validation. Competitors often specialize in either hardware or software; Innovate masters both.

2. Can amateur racers benefit from Innovate’s technology?
Absolutely. Products like the MTX-L gauges or OT-2 data loggers offer F1-level insights at accessible prices. Their Track Attack software includes tutorials for interpreting data, helping drivers refine braking points or throttle control. Many club racers credit Innovate with shaving seconds off lap times.

3. How does Innovate support sustainability in motorsports?
Their hardware uses recycled materials, and R&D hubs are solar-powered. Crucially, their software optimizes energy use in hybrid/electric race cars, reducing waste. Initiatives like sponsoring electric karting leagues promote eco-friendly racing from grassroots up.

4. What industries beyond racing use Innovate’s technology?
Aerospace firms apply their vibration sensors for engine diagnostics. Automotive OEMs license their data algorithms for road car development. Even agriculture uses modified versions for monitoring heavy machinery efficiency, proving the versatility of their core tech.

5. How reliable is Innovate’s data during high-speed events?
With 99.998% uptime in endurance races and patented noise-cancellation tech, Innovate sets the reliability standard. Their solid-state LiDAR and 5G TrackNet ensure accuracy even in crowded electromagnetic environments like Formula E races.

6. Where can I see Innovate’s technology in action?
Watch any major racing series: NASCAR (in-car displays), WRC (stage timing analytics), or MotoGP (lean angle sensors). Their website also hosts case studies from regional races, showing how amateurs leverage the same tools pros use.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Product specifications, partnerships, and initiatives mentioned are based on publicly available data as of 2024. Always verify details through Innovate Motorsports’ official channels or authorized distributors. Racing involves inherent risks; telemetry systems should complement professional training and safety protocols.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season marked the introduction of the sport’s new seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal with not only existing partners Fox and NBC but also newcomers Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports.

To make way for Prime and TNT to air five races each, both Fox’s portion and NBC’s portion of the broadcast schedule had to be cut down. NBC took a bigger loss than Fox, dropping six races to Fox’s four, but it had also been responsible for more races under the previous 10-year agreement.

Fox had been responsible for the season’s first 18 races (16 points races), while NBC had been responsible for the final 20. Fox dropped to 14 races (12 points races), and NBC also dropped down to 14.

The big loss from Fox’s schedule was the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That race was moved to Prime for the first time this year, and it kicked off Prime’s first-ever five-race stint, which also included races at Nashville Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and Pocono Raceway.

Now TNT’s portion of the schedule, which consists of the entirety of NASCAR’s new in-season tournament, is underway following last Saturday night’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and race two of five on TNT Sports this year is scheduled to take place on Sunday afternoon at the Chicago Street Course.

This race had been on NBC in each of its first two years on the calendar, and given the ratings and viewership it generated during those two years, it is a fairly significant loss for NBC.

NBC has also lost a crown jewel race in the Brickyard 400, as Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled to wrap up the tournament on TNT Sports in a few weeks.

The two other races remaining on the tournament schedule are set to be contested at Sonoma Raceway and Dover Motor Speedway.

NBC loses Chicago race for 2025 and beyond

While the Grant Park 165 is by no means a “crown jewel” race like the Coca-Cola 600 or the Brickyard 400 are, it has proven to be a major viewership draw since its addition to the schedule in 2023, and many expect it to be the biggest draw during TNT’s portion of the calendar.

TNT Sports’ broadcast booth consists of the same trio that called the races on Amazon Prime Video: Adam Alexander as lead announcer, alongside color commentators Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte. The NBC booth is set to consist of Leigh Diffey, who replaced Rick Allen as lead announcer late last year, and color commentators Letarte and Jeff Burton.

Of note, Fox’s races were still split up between Fox and Fox Sports 1, and NBC’s races are still set to be split up between NBC and USA Network. In fact, a majority of Fox’s races were shown on Fox Sports 1, nine to be exact, just like a majority of NBC’s races are set to be shown live on USA Network. NBC itself is only set to show four races this year.

But of course, NBC is still slated to be responsible for plenty of big races from 2025 to 2031.

While NBC’s portion of this year’s schedule is set to kick off on Sunday, August 3 with the race at Iowa Speedway, that race, as well as the next two races at Watkins Glen International and Richmond Raceway, are actually set to be shown live on USA Network.

The first race of the year actually set to be shown live on NBC is the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, August 23.

USA Network is then set to be responsible for the first seven races of the four-round, 10-race playoffs, while NBC is set to take over for the final three races of the season at Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway.

For the third time in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, 23XI Racing are set to field a fourth car this weekend at the Chicago Street Course.

Corey Heim, 23XI Racing’s development driver who competes full-time for Toyota’s Tricon Garage in the Truck Series, made his first start of the year at Kansas Speedway in May, and he managed to beat all three of 23XI Racing’s full-time drivers (Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Riley Herbst). He crashed out of his next start at Nashville Superspeedway last month.

The No. 67 Toyota is back on the entry list for this Sunday afternoon’s Grant Park 165 at the 12-turn, 2.2-mile (3.541-kilometer) temporary street circuit in Chicago, Illinois, and that is bad news for several other teams.

23XI Racing decision makes life harder on other NASCAR teams

There are 41 cars on the entry list this weekend and just 40 spots open, meaning there are five non-chartered (open) cars going for four spots since the 36 chartered cars are all locked in.

And yes, 23XI Racing’s other three cars (as well as Front Row Motorsports’ three cars) are still considered chartered cars, even amid their ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR.

The other four drivers of open cars are Kaulig Racing’s Will Brown, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill, Garage 66’s Josh Bilicki, and Live Fast Motorsports’ Katherine Legge.

One of them will not make it into the race, and you’d have to imagine it won’t be Heim.

It probably won’t be Brown or Hill either, given the relative strength of Kaulig Racing and Richard Childress Racing when compared to Garage 66 and Live Fast Motorsports.

All things considered, 23XI Racing’s decision to add a fourth car for Heim this weekend will likely be what keeps either Bilicki or Legge from competing.

You have to go back to November 2018 to find the last time a non-Daytona 500 race had more cars on the entry list than spots in the race. That weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, Timmy Hill and MBM Motorsports (the team now known as Garage 66) failed to make it into the show.

NASCAR is in Chicago this week for its singular and spectacular Chicago Street Race. Raising the stakes of an already unpredictable race: It’s the second round of the In-Season Challenge, which got off to a bracket-shredding start in Atlanta. The No. 1 and 2 seeds are both out, with upsets all the way down the seeding, too. No Trackhouse or Penske drivers are left, and Ty Gibbs is the only JGR driver still in it.

And now the series is headed to a street course where upsets and chaos are expected even without the Challenge thrown in.

In other words, Chicago should be quite the day of racing.

Our NASCAR experts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, are here to demystify this second round, make predictions for the rest of the tournament, and break down their picks and long shots for the outright winner of the Grant Park 165.

Take it away, guys!

How to watch the NASCAR Chicago Street Race

• Race: Grant Park 165, Challenge Round 2
• Location: Chicago Street Course
  
• Time: Sunday, July 6, 2 p.m. ET
• Watch: TNT

NASCAR Cup Series at Chicago Q&A

On to the In-Season Challenge Round 2! Can you bring us up to speed (sorry) on the results from Round 1 and where the field stands now? Any surprises?

Jeff: The chaos bomb at Atlanta was even bigger than anticipated. It took every previous race winner this season out of the tournament in Round 1; the only 2025 winner is Chase Elliott, who won that Atlanta race. It decimated most everyone’s brackets as seven of the top eight drivers in the point standings are already out of the tournament. Three of the top four seeds in the tournament itself are gone, too. Kind of silly, since it was all caused by one big wreck. But anyway, Round 2 does have some great matchups. The best one is Ty Gibbs vs. AJ Allmendinger, since they are both terrific road course racers, and the race is on the Chicago Street Course this week. The Alex Bowman/Bubba Wallace matchup is also really strong.

But the biggest headline is that most of the Cup Series stars are no longer in the tournament after one week.

Jordan: That explosion you heard coming from Hampton, Ga., was everyone’s bracket going boom. Literally. Not a single person has a correct bracket after last week’s race, according to NASCAR. Team Chaos prevailed.

So, let’s update your predictions for the next round of the challenge and the final results. Who you got?

Jeff: If you gave me a fresh slate, my picks for this round would be: Brad Keselowski over Ty Dillon, Alex Bowman over Bubba Wallace, John Hunter Nemechek over Chase Elliott, Erik Jones over Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Preece over Noah Gragson, Tyler Reddick over Carson Hocevar, Ty Gibbs over AJ Allmendinger and Chris Buescher over Zane Smith.

Then my revised final four (since three of my picks are already gone) would be Bowman, Nemechek, Reddick and Gibbs – with Reddick as my champion (since I picked him to start the tournament).

Jordan: Keselowski over Dillon, though Dillon continuing on as the Cinderella darling isn’t out of the realm of possibility, considering road courses are a style of track Keselowski has long struggled on. Bowman over Wallace. Elliott over Nemechek. Jones over Stenhouse. Preece over Gragson. Reddick over Hocevar. Allmendinger over Gibbs, though this matchup is very much a toss-up. And Buescher over Smith. My revised final four: Bowman, Elliott, Reddick and Buescher. And my new champion pick is Elliott, who uses his high-level consistency to top-10 his way to the title.

Who is your favorite to win at Chicago?

Jeff: Oh my, what a GIANT favorite Shane van Gisbergen is. Having +200 odds might be the lowest we’ve seen in some time, and certainly one of the biggest gaps between drivers (Christopher Bell is next with +725). It’s obvious why people would want to pick SVG, and they’re probably right in doing so. But for the sake of being different, I’ll just go with Gibbs. He was SVG’s closest competition in Mexico City until an ill-timed caution ruined his race, and he’s +1100 to win his first career Cup Series race. Not a great value since that is tied for the fourth-best with Reddick and Elliott, but I’m trying to give you a non-SVG pick here.

Jordan: SVG is the obvious choice, sure. That makes sense. But as last year showed, Chicago is a track where chaos often reigns, and it doesn’t take much to be knocked out of the race, which is what happened to SVG when another driver lost control and crashed into him. All this said, his ability on road courses is remarkable, and if he avoids the likely calamity that has defined this race, he should be in contention for the win.

Who is a long shot you like?

Jeff: They’re not exactly long shots, but Michael McDowell and AJ Allmendinger could absolutely win this race, and they’re +2500. If you want to get really crazy, don’t overlook Will Brown at +3500. Who is Will Brown, you ask? Well, he is the reigning champion in Australia’s Supercars — the same series which gave us SVG and that incredible 2023 Chicago victory in his NASCAR debut. Supercars drivers have a lot more experience on tight street courses than normal NASCAR drivers, so it wouldn’t be a shock at all to see Brown run competitively for Kaulig Racing this weekend, where he’ll be teammates with Allmendinger. You can also get Brown at +125 for a top-10 finish, so maybe that’s a better route.

Jordan: Chris Buescher at +2000 has a lot of value considering how good he typically runs on road courses, including outdueling SVG last year at Watkins Glen. He’s a bona fide contender on Sunday. And if you’re looking for a “deep sleeper,” consider Bubba Wallace at +25000. Wallace was running ahead of last year’s winner Alex Bowman when Bowman inadvertently ran into Wallace exiting the pits and effectively ruined Wallace’s race. Had that not happened, who’s to say Wallace doesn’t win instead of Bowman?

Race winner odds for NASCAR’s Grant Park 165

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(Photo by Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)

After a wild opening round that saw the top two seeds eliminated, along with a few other favorites, the In-Season Challenge heads to Chicago for the second round.

The 32-team field has been cut to 16 for Sunday’s street race. The third round (eight remaining drivers) is at Sonoma. The fourth round (four remaining drivers) is at Dover. The final round (two remaining drivers) is at Indianapolis.

The winner will collect $1 million.

Here is a look, with the help of Racing Insights, at the second-round pairings for Sunday’s race:

No. 3 Chris Buescher vs. No. 14 Zane Smith

At the front: Chris Buescher has the best average finish on road courses in the Next Gen car at 8.8.

On a roll: Buescher has scored four consecutive top-10 finishes. Zane Smith has finished seventh twice in the last four races.

Winner … advances to meet winner of AJ Allmendinger – Ty Gibbs matchup.

No. 5 Chase Elliott vs. No. 12 John Hunter Nemechek

Streaking: Atlanta winner Chase Elliott has scored three consecutive top-five finishes entering this weekend.

Road trip: Elliott has finished in the top five in both road course events this year, finishing third in Mexico and fourth at Circuit of the Americas. Nemechek finished sixth at Mexico for his best road course finish in Cup.

Winner … advances to meet winner of Erik Jones – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. matchup.

No. 6 Ty Gibbs vs. No. 22 AJ Allmendinger

Top dog: Ty Gibbs has the best average finish on the streets of the Chicago at 6.0 in two races, placing third last year and ninth in the inaugural event.

Three of a kind: All three of AJ Allmendinger’s Cup victories have come on road courses: Watkins Glen, Indianapolis Road Course and Charlotte Roval.

Winner … advances to meet winner of Zane Smith – Chris Buescher matchup.

No. 8 Alex Bowman vs. No. 9 Bubba Wallace

Spicy history: NASCAR fined Bubba Wallace $50,000 for his retaliatory actions after Alex Bowman won last year’s Chicago Street Race. Wallace was upset with Bowman for contact during the race that turned him. Wallace door-slammed Bowman’s car on the cool-down lap and sent it into the wall.

Two-for-two: Alex Bowman has top-10 finishes in both road course events this season, placing fourth in Mexico and ninth at COTA.

Winner … advances to meet winner of Brad Keselowski – Ty Dillon matchup.

No. 15 Ryan Preece vs. No. 31 Noah Gragson

I know you: Matchup of former Stewart-Haas Racing teammates.

Opposite directions: Noah Gragson has five consecutive finishes outside the top 20. Ryan Preece has four top-20 finishes in the last five races.

Winner … advances to meet winner of Carson Hocevar – Tyler Reddick matchup.

No. 17 Brad Keselowski vs. No. 32 Ty Dillon

By the numbers: Brad Keselowski’s average finish on road courses in the Next Gen car is 20.6 with one top-10 finish. Ty Dillon’s average finish on road courses in the Next Gen car is 27.7 with no finish better than 16th.

Back-to-back: Keselowski has finished in the top 10 in each of the past two races this season.

Winner … advances to meet winner of Alex Bowman – Bubba Wallace matchup.

No. 20 Erik Jones vs. No. 29 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Mirror image: Erik Jones’ average finish this season is 18.4. Stenhouse’s average finish this season is 18.9. Both drivers have three top-10 finishes this year.

Turning the corner: Jones has finished in the top 15 in five of the last six races.

Winner … advances to meet winner of Chase Elliott – John Hunter Nemechek matchup.

No. 23 Tyler Reddick vs. No. 26 Carson Hocevar

Familiar ground: Tyler Reddick finished second in last year’s race on the streets of Chicago.

Tough matchup: Carson Hocevar has finished ahead of Reddick on a road course just once in seven Cup races.

Winner … advances to meet winner of Noah Gragson – Ryan Preece matchup.

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend is right around the corner, and there is yet again another chance of weather making things tricky. Each of the first two years of this race has had its fair share of rain. Will that be how this weekend plays out?

No one wants rain on the Fourth of July weekend. But that is likely what we are going to get. At least on one day this weekend.

Would it be the NASCAR Chicago Street Race without rain? At this point, that’s kind of part of the tradition. Looking ahead to Saturday and Sunday, there is a chance we will see wet weather at some point, and that could mean the wet weather tires will come out.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Saturday will be beautiful for practice, qualifying, and the Xfinity Series race. But Sunday could be deja vu for the NASCAR Cup Series. This is what the Weather Channel is saying about this weekend’s forecast:

Saturday, July 5:
High – 95 degrees Fahrenheit
Rain – 1% chance
Sunset – 8:28 PM CT

Sunday, July 6:
High – 81 degrees Fahrenheit
Rain – 40% chance
Sunset – 8:28 CT

It has been raining today as the NASCAR teams arrive in the city. Maybe things change for Sunday, but it feels like another rain race is on the schedule for the Cup Series. It would be a shame to have this race be influenced by the weather for three straight years. You begin to wonder if the Midwest in the summer is capable of avoiding rain on a NASCAR weekend.

NASCAR Chicago weather could go either way

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race could dodge the bad weather. There is a chance that we see the rain hold off, but given the sport’s track record with rain and other weather incidents, I’m not so sure that is going to happen on Sunday.

One thing is for sure, Saturday will be very interesting. That Xfinity Series race is going to be badass. Connor Zilisch is making his first start in this street race. He will be racing against Shane van Gisbergen. This race really should come down to those two going back and forth with one another. But you never know, that’s why they run the race to begin with.

A completely dry weekend would be ideal. I’m not getting my hopes up, though. The NASCAR Chicago Street Race has been plagued by bad weather for two years. Why would this weekend be any different? Those wet-weather tires will be close by on Sunday.