CHICAGO — NASCAR Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took to social media during Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, The Loop 110, at the Chicago Street Course, revealing he opts not to wear a cool shirt due to frequent malfunctions. The two-time Xfinity Series champion (2011, 2012) and 2023 Daytona 500 winner shared his decision on X, highlighting a recurring issue with the cooling systems designed to keep drivers comfortable in the sweltering conditions of a race car cockpit.
Cool shirts, which circulate coolant through tubes woven into a driver’s suit, are critical for maintaining body temperature during races, especially in high-heat environments like Chicago’s summer street course. Stenhouse’s tweet underscored a practical choice, citing reliability concerns over the potential comfort benefits. His comments sparked discussion among fans and drivers, shedding light on the challenges of managing heat in NASCAR’s demanding conditions.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is honest with the fans!
Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) claimed victory in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, his second consecutive win at the 2.2-mile, 12-turn Chicago Street Course. The New Zealand native, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, bested Connor Zilisch on a restart with two laps remaining to secure his third Xfinity win of 2024, all on road courses. SVG’s triumph came despite his own cool shirt malfunctioning during the race, forcing him to endure rising cockpit temperatures. Post-race, he was evaluated and released from the infield care center, confirming no serious health concerns.
The NASCAR weekend in Chicago continues Sunday with the Cup Series’ Grant Park 165, set for a 2 p.m. ET start on TNT. Stenhouse, driving the No. 47 Chevrolet for Hyak Motorsports, will compete in the 75-lap event, joined by SVG, who starts fifth in his sixth Cup Series race of the season. The street course, now in its third year, remains a unique challenge for drivers, with its tight turns and urban setting demanding precision and adaptability.
Stenhouse’s tweet and SVG’s resilience highlight the physical toll of racing, where equipment reliability can make or break performance. As the Cup Series prepares for Sunday’s race, drivers will face similar heat and technical challenges, with weather forecasts predicting mostly sunny skies and temperatures near 93 degrees. Fans can expect another intense battle on the streets of downtown Chicago.
Did you know Stenhouse hails from Mississippi and also races dirt?
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