Fans Say This Was The Best NASCAR Race Of 2023
Everyone may be talking about Formula One’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, but it wasn’t the first new high-profile street race of the year.
That would be the NASCAR Chicago Street Race that took place in and around the city’s Grant Park on July 2.
The inaugural event saw first-time NASCAR Cup Series driver Shane van Gisbergen take the checkered flag.
The Australian Supercars champion showing off his skills in the Trackhouse Racing No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro with an impressive victory ahead of Cup Series regulars Justin Haley and Chase Elliott.
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The event has now been voted the Best Race in the NASCAR Fan Choice awards.
The entire race can be viewed on the NASCAR Classics streaming platform.
Fans also named 2023 Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney’s crew. chief Jonathan Hassler the Crew Chief of the Year.
Chris Buescher, who won three races and made it to the Playoffs Round of 8, was voted most improved driver and Kyle Larson’s win at the All-Star Race declared the Most Dominant Performance.
Larson led 145 laps of the 200 lap race and punctuated the victory with a burnout around the entire .625-mile track, which won the Best Celebration or Burnout vote.
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Kevin Harvick’s throwback car in the same race was voted Best Paint Scheme. The No. 29 car paid tribute to the one he drove to his first Cup Series victory at Atlanta in 2001.
He was also named Person of the Year as he ended his 21-year-career with a playoffs run.
The Best Scanner Moment came as Brad Keselowski started driving in circles during a red flag to try to put out out a fire in his car at the Daytona regular season finale.
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson were named the Best Rivalry due to several on-track moments between them, including Hamlin putting Larson into the wall on the last lap at Kansas to take the win.
Corey LaJoie, who hosts the Stacking Pennies podcast, was voted Best Driver on Social Media.
The Most Popular Driver award will be announced that fans can vote on through Nov. 27 with the winner announced at the NASCAR awards banquet in Nashville on Nov. 30.
This story has been updated with additional results