With the Xfinity Series race done and dusted, it is time for NASCAR to turn its attention to the Cup Series race, all set to run through the streets of Chicago. Denny Hamlin had a practice session to forget, with his car facing mechanical issues, bringing his session to an end before he could do a push lap.
However, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver wasn’t alone in misery, as several other drivers faced a tough time during the practice session. As a result, as many as six drivers have been sent to the back of the grid for Sunday’s Grant Park 165.
Denny Hamlin and Five Others To Start the Chicago Race From the Back of the Grid
Shane van Gisbergen was always the favorite to win the 2025 Grant Park 165 as NASCAR made its way to Chicago. However, with several drivers showing good form, Gisbergen had a tough task at his hands to keep all of them at bay, but his job has been made slightly easier.
During the practice session of the Grant Park 165, Hamlin faced mechanical issues with his No. 11 Toyota, leading to the car smoking and dumping oil before spinning out. Thankfully for him, there was no damage to the outside of the car, but it still ended his practice early.
Owing to the same, Hamlin will now be starting from the back of the grid on Sunday. Notably, the latest issue marks the third time this season that the JGR driver has faced mechanical shortcomings from his JGR entry.
Denny Hamlin’s motor blew up right out of the gate pic.twitter.com/Jv3LvOeqzc
— Rubbin is Racing (@rubbinisracing) July 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Kyle Larson will be joining Hamlin at the back after he took damage during Saturday’s qualifying session. Defending race winner Alex Bowman makes the third driver sent back after having to change out a toe link.
Chase Elliott and William Byron didn’t even take to the track during qualifying, meaning all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers will be starting the race from the wrong end. Ty Dillon is another driver who was sent to the back, as he also damaged his car during the qualifying session.
No. Elliott, Larson, Bowman, Byron, TDillon all had damage from contact during practice or qualifying that will end up having them start at the rear (some of them didn’t qualify). Hamlin, too, because of an engine failure. https://t.co/GiDSqc6o05
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 6, 2025
As such, six drivers have been sent to the back of the grid to give fans a new mix at the Chicago Street race.
Read More: ‘Basically a DUI Stop’ – Denny Hamlin Reveals the Surprising Test NASCAR Drivers Face After a Crash
As for Gisbergen, the Xfinity race winner swept away the Cup Series drivers during the Qualifying session on Saturday. The road course expert was nearly half a second faster than his peers as he became the only driver on the day to post a lap time under a minute and 30 seconds.