Storms set to threaten NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicago

This Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race in Chicago appears likely to be impacted the weather in the city.

The Chicago Street Race is set to start at 2pm ET, with around a 50% chance of rain predicted around Grant Park in that time (along with high humidity and 80 degree heat).

That chance of rain ticks up once again an hour after the scheduled start, with a 66% chance of rain and thunderstorms predicted – which, if it hadn't started raining already, would cause a lengthy delay.

The rain probability remains around or above 50% for the rest of the day until around 10pm, with more thunderstorms predicted around 5pm and rain showers all times in between.

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Hendrick suffer Chicago disaster

That forecast is in stark contrast to Saturday's weather for qualifying, which sat around 90 degrees and sunny as the drivers took to the track for the first time this week.

Shane van Gisbergen will start the race from pole after setting a lap time nearly half a second faster than any other driver on Saturday, with Michael McDowell starting on the front row alongside him.

McDowell's Spire team-mate Carson Hocevar will start third, with Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe rounding out the top five.

All four Hendrick Motorsports cars will start from the back of the field though, with the team needing to do repairs after practice and qualifying, while Denny Hamlin will join them at the back thanks to a car failure in practice leading to him failing to set a qualifying time.

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