On Sunday, July 6, NASCAR’s Cup Series returns to the Chicago Street Course for the third edition of the Grant Park 165. This weekend’s event marks the 19^th race of the season and the second for the In-Season Challenge.

If you missed last weekend’s Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway, then you missed a chaotic event that was won by Chase Elliott. The local kid survived a number of crashes that took out more than half of the field and completely turned the NASCAR mid-season tournament upside down.

The majority of the Cup Series stars ended up wrecked last weekend and eliminated from the In-Season Challenge. This week, we’ll see some unlikely tournament matchups, which should make the Grant Park 165 even more entertaining.

If you missed the Quaker State 400 last weekend, we’ve got a full breakdown of the NASCAR results for last Saturday’s night race.

As for this weekend, Shane van Gisbergen is the large odds-on favorite to win in Chicago as the field takes to the streets of downtown Chicago. SVG has taken the title as the best road course driver in the Cup Series. He’s followed by Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick in the NASCAR betting odds.

With that said, let’s take a look at the latest NASCAR Chicago odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our Grant Park 165 predictions for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race on the Chicago Street Course.

Grant Park 165 Race Profile

The Chicago Street Course is a circuit located in downtown Chicago. It was born out of eRacing and brought to life in 2023. The street circuit spans 2.14 miles in length with 12 turns and is used for both the Cup and Xfinity Series divisions.

Sunday’s Grant Park 165 race breaks down as follows: 

• Total Miles: 165 miles
• Total Laps: 75 laps
• Stage 1: 20 laps
• Stage 2: 25 laps
• Final Stage: 30 laps

The Grant Park 165 will air live on TNT Sports beginning at 2pm ET on Sunday, July 6.

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Grant Park 165 Winners

To date, there have been just two editions of the Grant Park 165. The inaugural race at Chicago’s Street Course took place in 2023, and it was won by Shane van Gisbergen. SVG has quickly become the top road-course driver in the Cup Series. He also won the Xfinity Series race at this track last year.

Speaking of last year, Alex Bowman shocked the field by winning this race. It was shortened to 58 laps following a lengthy rain delay and due to darkness.

Grant Park 165 Odds

Check out the latest Grant Park 165 odds:

Grant Park 165 Favorites

The following drivers are considered by oddsmakers to be the odds-on favorites to win the Grant Park 165:

Shane van Gisbergen +150

• Standings: 32
• Win: 1
• Top 5: 1
• Top 10: 2

By winning at Mexico City three weeks ago, Shane van Gisbergen is locked into the Cup Series Playoffs. So, even though he’s sitting at 32^nd in the standings, the field’s best road course driver is a massive betting favorite for this weekend’s road race.

Not only did SVG win on the road course of Mexico City, but he also finished 6^th at COTA earlier this season. Additionally, he won the inaugural Grant Park 165 race in 2023, and took the Xfinity Series race at this venue last year.

He’s clearly the man to beat and should finish at least in the Top 5, if not win the race.

Christopher Bell +700

• Standings: 5
• Win: 3
• Top 5: 7
• Top 10: 11

Christopher Bell was a popular pick to win the In-Season Challenge. In fact, a friend of mine picked Bell to win the tournament despite the Joe Gibbs Racing driver potentially facing my pick in Chase Elliott. Well, Kyle, you should’ve jumped on the Elliott bandwagon last weekend!

As for Bell, he ended up with steering issues and finished 30^th at Atlanta. That knocked him out of the tournament and dropped him one spot in the standings to 4^th.

Bell won at Cota this year, so he’s ranked high for this road race on Sunday. Yet, in two previous Grant Park appearances, Bell has a 27.5 average finish and crashed out of the race last year.

I’m fading Bell this Sunday as his odds should be double what they are now. He’s not a better pick than some of the drivers we’re about to discuss. Bell’s ceiling is a Top 10 finish.

Kyle Larson +800

• Standings: 3
• Win: 3
• Top 5: 9
• Top 10: 12

Last weekend, Kyle Larson got caught up in the 19-car wreck. He sustained some damage but was able to finish the race in 17^th. However, that cost him his chance to move on in the tournament.

Larson also had car problems at Mexico City where he finished 36^th. Which was a few spots worse than his 32^nd at COTA in the spring.

He was 4^th in Chicago during the 2023 race. However, like Bell, Larson was crashed out of last year’s race and finished 39^th.

With that said, I do like Larson’s chances more than Bell’s this weekend. I think Larson could be a sneaky play to finish in the Top 3. However, it’s going to take some luck for the #5 car to find its way to victory lane on Sunday. And, that would most likely be due to some of the other top drivers wrecking out of the race.         

Tyler Reddick +1200

• Standings: 6
• Win: 0
• Top 5: 4
• Top 10: 6

Tyler Reddick and Larson battled in the first round of the In-Season Challenge last weekend. As mentioned, Larson was 17^th and Reddick finished 4^th.

At Mexico, Reddick was 20^th which was a steep drop from his third at COTA in the spring. Reddick finished 2^nd in the Grant Park 165 last year as he survived many of the crashes due to the weather.

Reddick has a tough second-round matchup against Carson Hocevar. However, he seems to have the slight advantage at Chicago. Hocevar finished 24^th in this race last year.   

Chase Elliott +1200          

• Standings: 2
• Win: 1
• Top 5: 6
• Top 10: 10

Chase Elliott was one of two drivers that I hammered last weekend. In fact, I had Elliott in more NASCAR prop bets than anyone else last Saturday. He definitely brought us the bag and made me look smart. Can he do it again this weekend?

Elliott’s win in Atlanta locked him into the Playoffs and bumped him up to second in the standings. In fact, Hendrick Motorsports has the Top 3 spots in the standings with Larson third and Byron first.

Elliott has been overshadowed by SVG, which has caused many NASCAR pundits and fans to forget just how dominant the #9 car has been in road races. The 2020 Cup Series Champ was 3^rd at Mexico City and 4^th at COTA this season.

He also has a 12.0 average finish at Grant Park with a 3^rd in 2023, and a 21^st last year. I like Elliott to be a Top 5 car this weekend and challenge SVG for the checkered flag. A sleeping giant has awakened and as I warned everyone last month, Elliott could go on a monster run over the summer.        

Ty Gibbs +1200

• Standings: 24
• Win: 0
• Top 5: 2
• Top 10: 3

Ty Gibbs, your time is running out. If the fourth driver of Joe Gibbs Racing doesn’t score a victory over the next handful of races, then he will miss the Playoffs. Currently, Gibbs is 24^th in the standings and has no shot of getting in on points.           

With that said, Gibbs is a solid choice this weekend to crack the Top 5 and challenge for the win. He has a 10.5 average finish over the last four Cup Series races and led laps in two of them. In fact, Gibbs was strong in Mexico City before fading in the final laps.

Out of all full-time Cup drivers, Gibbs is tied with Michael McDowell for the best average finish at 6.0. He was 9^th in 2023, and third last year. The #54 car also led laps in both events. He’s a great option for a Top 10 (-160) or Top 5 (+220) wager as well.

The Best Grant Park 165 Betting Value

The following drivers are my NASCAR picks for the best betting value in the Grant Park 165 based on their previous success at this venue and in road course races:

William Byron +1800

• Standings: 1
• Win: 1
• Top 5: 7
• Top 10: 10

William Byron has sat at the top of the Driver Standings for most of the season so far. Despite two poor finishes in a row, Byron remains on top. However, his lead is dwindling. Byron finished 37^th last weekend in Atlanta and 27^th in Pocono. He also had a 28^th in Michigan four races ago.

In-between those poor results, was a 9^th in Mexico City. He also finished as runner up to Bell at COTA this spring.

At Grant Park, Byron has a 10.5 average finish with a 13^th in 2023, and an 8^th last year. With his consistency in Chicago, and on the season, along with his two solid road course results this year, I like for the #24 car to be a Top 10 driver this weekend, which make his Top 10 odds (+100) very appealing, as well.

Alex Bowman +1800

• Standings: 12
• Win: 0
• Top 5: 5
• Top 10: 9

Alex Bowman is the forgotten man at Hendrick Motorsports because he hasn’t won as much as his teammates have. Where Bowman has zero wins on the season, his teammates of Byron (1), Elliott (1), and Larson (3) have combined for five wins on the season already.

However, I think Bowman is a fantastic sleeper bet this weekend. He won this race last year and has also performed well in road races this season to date. Bowman was 9^th at COTA and 4^th at Mexico City this year.

Bowman crashed out of the 2023 Grant Park race, otherwise I believe his race-winning odds would be higher. With that said, he might be too risky for some to place a wager on the #48 car to win on Sunday, but he’s a perfect option for a Top 10 finish with +100 odds. That’s even money on the reigning Grant Park 165 winner.

Denny Hamlin +6600

• Standings: 4
• Win: 3
• Top 5: 8
• Top 10: 9

Denn Hamlin has been one of the best drivers all season long. So, it’s hard for me to look at his massive +6600 odds and take a flier.

Hamlin was 21^st at COTA and didn’t race in Mexico due to his child being born. But, prior to crashing out of the Quaker State 400 last weekend, Hamlin had three consecutive Top 3 finishes including a win at Michigan and runner up in Pocono two weeks ago.

Hamlin also has a 20.5 average finish at Grant Park due to coming home 30^th last year. He was 11^th in the 2023 edition.

I’m not saying that the #11 car will win this race, even though I wouldn’t outright dismiss it, but I do believe his Top 10 odds of +300 are screaming value.

The Top Grant Park 165 Longshot

If during any given week, I can get Joey Logano at longshot odds of +8000, then I am definitely taking a flier on the reigning Cup Series Champion. Like with Hamlin above, Logano is just too good to dismiss him because his odds are this large.

In fact, I would argue that it’s a great opportunity to find value with the 3-time Cup Champ. If you don’t want to take a flier on his race-winning odds, then jump on his +400 odds to finish in the Top 10.

In two Grant Park appearances, Logano has a 15.5 average finish. He was 8^th in 2023, and 23^rd last year. Logano has a 22.0 average finish in two road races so far this season. However, he does have 23 Top 10s and one win in 50 road-course appearances.  

Grant Park 165 Predictions

The best handicappers are going to side with van Gisbergen this weekend, and I can’t blame them. SVG is phenomenal in road races whether it’s on a course or the streets of downtown Chicago.

In four combined Cup and Xfinity races at the Chicago Street Course, SVG has two wins. His first ever Cup Series race was at this event in 2023. And, SVG proved it wasn’t too big for him by winning the inaugural race. He crashed out of the 2024 Cup race at this course, but won the Xfinity Series event.

So, in three appearances at the Chicago Street Course, SVG has two wins and one DNF. If you want to go with the favorite, then I won’t blame you one bit.

I’m looking for better value and feel that we have some solid options with drivers like Elliott, Bowman, Byron, and Gibbs.

Maybe I’m drinking the Elliott Kool-Aid too much, but I think he’s going back-to-back checkered flags.

Bet: Chase Elliott (+1200)

NASCAR Grant Park 165 Prop Bets

Continue reading as we break down some of our favorite Grant Park 165 prop bets:

The Best Top 3 Bet For The Grant Park 165

Shan van Gisbergen is the best Top 3 bet for this weekend. In fact, he’s the best bet to win the race, as well. I just wanted more value than taking the odds-on favorite.

With that said, when talking about the best driver to score a Top 3 finish, you have to go with SVG who has won twice at this street course and took the checkered flag in the most recent Cup Series road race (Mexico City).

Bet: Shane van Gisbergen (-300)

The Best Top 5 Bet for the Grant Park 165

Chase Elliott already has two Top 5s in road races this year, and I think he will continue that trend this weekend. Elliott was third in the 2023 Grant Park race as well.

Last weekend, Elliott won due to luck and half the field wrecked. This weekend, I think he gets a strong result due to skill.

Bet: Chase Elliott (+220)

The Best Top 10 Bet for the Grant Park 165

I’ve mentioned a few solid options for Top 10 wagers like Hamlin, Logano and Byron. However, I’m taking Alex Bowman for this prop bet. Sportsbooks are offering +100 odds on a Top 10 finish and I think he could even flirt with a Top 5 result.

Bowman has a 6.5 average finish in the two road races already this season. Additionally, he won the 2024 Grant Park 165. Furthermore, Bowman has a 6.0 average finish over his last three Cup Series races and is building up momentum for the stretch run of the regular season.

Bet: Alex Bowman (+100)

Winning Manufacturer

• Chevrolet (-225)
• Toyota (+275)
• Ford (+600)

This really is an easy one. If you take anyone other than Chevy, then you are out of your mind. It’s not even worth the gamble. There are too many road course specialists like SVG and Allmendinger that drive Chevy along with one of the top team in the Cup Series – Hendrick Motorsports.

The last point I’m going to make on this prop bet is that Chevy has won both of the Cup Series races at this Street Course and one of the Xfinity events. That’s three of the four races so far.

Bet: Chevy (-225)

Team of Race Winner

• Trackhouse Racing (+140)
• Hendrick Motorsports (+325)
• Joe Gibbs Racing (+350)
• Spire Motorsports (+1100)
• 23XI Racing (+1100)
• Kaulig Racing (+1400)
• RFK Racing (+1800)
• Team Penske (+2200)
• Richard Childress Racing (+3000)

I just alluded to it above, but I really like Hendrick Motorsports this weekend. I don’t want to roll with the outright favorite of Trackhouse Racing and Shane van Gisbergen. I like the fact that Elliott and Larson are both odds-on favorites to win this race, and that Byron and Bowman offer tremendous value due to their success this season and at this course.

Bet: Hendrick Motorsports (+325)

Winning Car Number

• Over 32.5 (-115)
• Under 32.5 (-115)

So, we’re basically looking at the two winners of Bowman and van Gisbergen as the Over, and everyone else as the Under. I’ll take the Under since it gives us far more betting options. Basically, the majority of the best drivers in the Cup Series are Under 32.5 like Byron, Elliott, Larson, Hamlin, Blaney, Busch, Bell, and Logano.

Even drivers without that kind of Cup Series success are Under 32.5 like Berry, Cindric, Wallace, Briscoe, Chastain and Buescher. That’s just too much talent to pass up.

Bet: Under 32.5 (-115)