Chicago Street Course Grant Park 165 Top Tier Elite Picks

Christopher Bell
Chicago Street Fantasy Outlook – At Chicago Street, I think the road to victory lane likely goes thru Christopher Bell. Bell was the class of the field last year and ranked #1 in PROS Rankings, and Bell was even disappointed that it rained because he felt he would’ve been even stronger in dry conditions. When it comes to road course racing prowess, Bell has proven himself to be elite. He’s a 2-time winner and in 2024 on this track type, Bell is tied for the best average finish (5.5), has the 5th best Driver Rating and his Track Type Total Speed Ranking ranks as the 6th best. Going back to 2023 at road courses minus Chicago and COTA 2023, Bell has a 7.8 average finish and his Track Type Total Speed Ranking over all the combined races ranks as the 5th best.
Chicago Street Track History – Last year at Chicago, Christopher Bell was the class of the field, but he finished an asterisk mark 18th. In the race, Bell started 4th, led the most laps (37), won Stage #1, won Stage #2 but then when the field got flipped following the caution on lap 49, Bell went from leading back to 14th. Then on lap 55 shortly after that, Bell got into a tire barrier and spun which dropped him back to the 30’s. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Bell ranked 6th but take note his speed over the segments were 2nd, 1st, 29th and then 12th. Additionally, Bell earned the 2nd best Driver Rating.

Tyler Reddick
Chicago Street Fantasy Outlook – Tyler Reddick is a super-elite performer at road courses who’ll be tough to beat at Chicago Street. Reddick was stout last summer and ranked among the best, and I have no doubt he’ll once again show up with speed and be a factor. In the Next Gen era at road courses, Tyler Reddick has been “The Man”, ranking #1 in terms of Total Speed Rankings and racing his way to victory lane 3-times. Since 2023 on this sub-track type minus Sonoma 2023 and Chicago, Reddick has a 5.3 average finish. This year at road courses between the two visited, Reddick has the best Total Speed Ranking, and his 6.5 average finish ranks as the 5th best.
Chicago Street Track History – Tyler Reddick was a standout performer last year at Chicago Street, but he finished an asterisk mark 28th. In the race, Reddick started 2nd, led 8 laps, finished 2nd in Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2 but then on lap 57 while running in 4th, Reddick got into a tire barrier and got stuck, and you could then stick a fork in him at that point. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Reddick ranked 4th but take note his speed over the segments were 1st, 3rd, 2nd and then 24th.

Kyle Larson
Chicago Street Fantasy Outlook – Kyle Larson just smoked the field at Sonoma a few weeks ago and at Chicago, I would look for him to once again be a factor. Larson was a standout performer last year in the “Windy City”, and I have no doubt he’ll once again be tough to beat. Larson’s truly trophy hunting, and I think he has a great chance to notch one on Sunday.
Chicago Street Track History – Kyle Larson had a great car last year at Chicago and ranked among the best. In the race, Larson finished 4th, had a 6.7 average running position, ranked 2nd for Total Speed Rankings and then 5th for Speed Late In A Run. Larson ran well throughout and then when pit strategy shuffled him back to the low teens on lap 51, Larson made passes and drove up thru traffic to notch his 4th. On lap 44 before major pit strategy flipped much of the field, Larson was running in 2nd.

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