Blaney Wins Stage 2 as Strategy Shifts Chicago Street Race

Ryan Blaney captured Stage 2 of the NASCAR Cup Series’ Grant Park 165 on the Chicago street circuit, moving to the front after a late-stage round of pit stops by early leaders Shane van Gisbergen and AJ Allmendinger. Blaney headed Chase Briscoe and Tyler Reddick at the 45-lap mark of the 75-lap event, with Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace rounding out the top five. Michael McDowell had earlier dominated Stage 1, leading Kyle Busch, Reddick, Briscoe and Ryan Preece across the line after 25 laps. All 36 cars remained on the lead lap at the halfway point, although green-flag incidents for Katherine Legge, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and others shuffled the midfield order. The race, the series’ second visit to downtown Chicago, will resume after the stage caution with Blaney holding 10 preliminary championship points and a playoff point for his segment win while teams plot fuel strategy for the closing 30 laps.