The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the streets of Chicago this weekend, bringing another unpredictable chapter to one of the sport’s most talked-about events. Crew chiefs are bracing for a challenge, as weather and track conditions have made the Chicago Street Race a true wildcard.
Among the most respected voices in the garage, Rudy Fugle, crew chief for William Byron, is warning teams about the unknowns ahead. With rain-shortened races in both 2023 and 2024, teams are preparing for anything as they head into this year’s event.
Rudy Fugle Talks About Racing the Unknown in Chicago
The Chicago Street Race has become infamous for its unpredictable weather, and in both 2023 and 2024, the event was cut short by rain. Fugle, who leads the team for Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron, recently admitted in an interview that rain remains a major concern for everyone involved.
“Yeah, honestly, it really depends. We haven’t had any really dry racing there,” Fugle said. “They’ve had some Saturdays with some dry racing, but not really a dry race. So, there’s still a lot of fall-off questions and how long do you run, because it’s a short number of laps.”
He went on to explain that, while teams could theoretically make only one pit stop, the two-stage race format complicates strategy, especially since rain has interrupted the event in both previous years.
“Realistically, everybody can one-stop it if they want to. But then you have those two stages, so none of that’s played out because it’s been in the rain. So, there’s a lot of questions on that,” he added.
Last year, Alex Bowman took the checkered flag after a smart tire call, staying on wet-weather tires while most of the field switched to slicks. The victory was especially meaningful for Bowman, coming after an 80-race winless streak.
Meanwhile, in the inaugural year, Shane van Gisbergen made history by winning the race in his Cup Series debut. Gisbergen became the first driver in 60 years to win a NASCAR Cup Series race on his first try. Many in the sport considered it a historic achievement.
Fugle also pointed out that the street surface itself is always changing.
“But just from a handling perspective, it’s fun to get back up on the street course,” he said. “There’ll be new bumps and the pavement’s gonna be more worn out and way different than any normal racetrack, right? Because it’s street. So, we’ll have to get used to that, get used to the bumps, try to give William something he’s confident in, something he can learn on during practice.”
Track position is expected to be a key factor in the race, and Fugle emphasized the importance of a strong qualifying session. “And then track position’s gonna be huge. So, try to qualify in the top couple, get a good pit stall, and just go to work,” he said.
Fugle has been Byron’s crew chief since 2021, and together they have notched 13 wins, including two Daytona 500 victories. Their partnership, which began in the Truck Series, has proven to be one of the strongest in the garage.
Looking ahead, Chicago presents a unique challenge, and preparation will be especially important. Fugle is hopeful that he and Byron can find success on the Chicago Street Course this weekend.