The NASCAR Cup Series race in Chicago was wild from start to finish. But it’s a late caution call that has drivers and fans sounding off. The Grant Park 165 ended with Shane van Gisbergen grabbing another road-course win, but the real story is what didn’t happen when Cody Ware slammed the tire barrier at 93 mph.
With just two laps to go, Ware’s violent crash in Turn 6 went unchecked. NASCAR delayed the caution by 35 seconds, not throwing the yellow flag until Ware dropped his window net. That delay allowed SVG to coast across the finish line under caution, locking up the win.
NASCAR Admits Mistake, Promises Change
Brad Moran, NASCAR Cup Series managing director, admitted the crew didn’t have real-time footage of the crash.
“We didn’t see how hard the impact was at first,” Moran told SiriusXM. “If we’d seen it, the caution would’ve come out immediately.”
He pledged improved camera coverage and faster caution calls, especially at tricky street courses like Chicago. The missed call has sparked concerns over driver safety and officiating consistency, especially when seven cautions already ate up 15 of the race’s 75 laps.
Denny Hamlin Isn’t Buying It
Denny Hamlin blasted NASCAR on his Actions Detrimental podcast, suggesting the delay wasn’t just a miss, but was intentional.
“No question—rain coming, lightning threats, and trying to avoid a mess played into that,” he said. “You can’t tell me you didn’t see a car buried in tires after a 93 mph hit.”
Hamlin accused NASCAR of prioritizing a clean finish over safety, echoing frustration from fans who felt the series missed a critical moment.
Ware’s crash, caused by a brake rotor failure, reignited debates about officiating, race control, and transparency. With street races becoming more common, NASCAR’s ability to respond swiftly is now under the microscope.
NASCAR says changes are coming. But with drivers like Hamlin raising doubts and fans demanding accountability, this moment may leave a lasting mark on the sport.
Read More: The 10 Most Tragic NASCAR Accidents We’ll Never Forget
