CHICAGO, IL – Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand racing sensation, clinched a hard-fought victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, July 5, 2025, navigating the challenging urban layout of the Chicago Street Course. Officially known as The Loop 110, the race unfolded as a centerpiece of the highly anticipated Chicago Street Race weekend, delivering ample drama and intense competition.
Van Gisbergen secured his position at the front of the field after a compelling 50-lap battle on the 2.2-mile, 12-turn circuit, ultimately crossing the finish line just 0.823 seconds ahead of a tenacious Conor Zilisch. The win marks a significant moment for van Gisbergen, representing his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory of the current season. Furthermore, it solidifies his mastery of the Chicago street circuit, giving him his second consecutive win at this specific event. This latest triumph also brings his career total in the Xfinity Series to four victories.
A Challenging Urban Gauntlet
The temporary street course, winding through the heart of downtown Chicago, presented drivers with tight corners, unforgiving concrete barriers, and varying track surfaces, creating a demanding environment for competition. The 50-lap distance, covered by the winner in a total duration of 1 hour, 51 minutes, and 52 seconds at an average speed of 58.999 mph, was punctuated by numerous incidents that reshaped the race dynamic repeatedly.
Race Dynamics and Lead Changes
The Loop 110 saw a total of 6 caution periods throughout its running, collectively accounting for 18 laps under yellow flag conditions. These pauses regrouped the field multiple times, setting the stage for intense restarts and battles for position. The lead of the race exchanged hands 4 times among 4 different drivers, showcasing the competitive nature of the event.
Shane Van Gisbergen proved to be the dominant force in terms of laps led, spending 27 laps out front. Connor Zilisch #, who finished second, held the lead for 11 laps, while Sheldon Creed led for 9 laps. Early in the race, Jesse Love also spent 3 laps leading the field, demonstrating the diverse competition at the front.
Battle for Supremacy
The closing stages of the race saw a fierce duel emerge, primarily between Van Gisbergen and Zilisch. Both drivers pushed their machines and skills to the limit on the challenging street layout. Van Gisbergen, utilizing his extensive road course experience honed in international motorsport circuits like Supercars in Australia, managed to maintain a slight but crucial advantage in the final laps, holding off Zilisch’s persistent challenge to claim the checkered flag.
Top Ten Finishers
The demanding nature of the Chicago Street Course ensured that finishing strongly was a significant achievement for the 40-car field. The official top ten finishers from The Loop 110 were:
1. Shane Van Gisbergen (i)
2. Connor Zilisch # (Car No. 35)
3. Sheldon Creed (Car No. 4)
4. Austin Hill (Car No. 2)
5. Nick Sanchez # (Car No. 8)
6. Jesse Love (Car No. 9)
7. Sammy Smith (Car No. 10)
8. Sam Mayer (Car No. 3)
9. Austin Green (Car No. 17)
10. Brennan Poole (Car No. 22)
The race outcome positions Van Gisbergen as a formidable competitor on road and street courses within the NASCAR Xfinity Series, building on his expanding presence in American stock car racing. His consecutive wins in Chicago underscore his adaptability and skill on non-oval circuits, making him a key figure to watch as the 2025 season progresses.
