Over the weekend, the Grant Park 165 race at the Chicago Street Course became the focus of the Nascar Cup Series 2025. Shane Van Gisbergen, the New Zealand racer, continued to assert his talent when winning the second season, defeating strong opponents on the challenging street racing. However, this victory does not take place without controversy. Kyle Larson, one of the leading riders, publicly accused Gisbergen deliberately starting early, violating the racing law. Larson asked Nascar to cancel the race results, saying that Gisbergen’s actions faltered the fairness of the event.

After reviewing, Nascar CEO, Jim France, made an official decision on July 6, right after the race. According to the notice, officials have checked data from the navigation system and surveillance camera. The results showed that the starting time of Gisbergen was within the allowed limit, though very close to the violating boundary. Therefore, Nascar decided to keep the results, confirming that Gisbergen’s victory was valid. This decision has caused mixed opinions in the fan community. Some support Larson, saying that it is necessary to apply more strictly to ensure transparency, while others think that Gisbergen has cleverly used tactics and does not violate the law.

The race in Chicago is not only outstanding by the controversy but also by its meaning in the 2025 season. This is the second round of Nascar In-Season Challenge, a new initiative to increase the attractiveness of the mid-season race. Chicago street racing, with harsh corners and tight spaces, challenged the skills of the riders, and also brought a unique experience to the audience. Gisbergen’s victory was even more noticeable when he continued to show the superiority on traditional races, after the victory at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City before.

The event also sparked a debate about Nascar’s new law, especially the Open Exemption Provisional regulation, allowing international riders to participate without points. This has opened up opportunities for names like Katherine Legge, but also asks questions about how to balance competitiveness and fairness. In the context of the 2025 season is entering the tense phase, with the next race at Sonoma Raceway on July 13, fans are waiting to see how these controversy will affect the play of the riders. Regardless of the results, Nascar continues to prove his attraction through dramatic and unexpected moments.