As the 2025 NASCAR season roars ahead, the upcoming Grant Park 165 street race in Chicago has caught headlines — not just for its scenic route and urban excitement, but for its record-breaking prize pool. NASCAR has officially announced that the total purse for the Cup Series race in Chicago will exceed $11.7 million, setting a new benchmark for the event.
This year’s total purse for the NASCAR Cup Series race is valued at $11,704,450, a sharp increase from the $7,978,831 distributed during the 2024 edition of the same event. The massive boost — nearly $3.7 million more than last year — is largely credited to the influx of revenue from NASCAR’s new media rights agreement, which has started to reshape the sport’s financial landscape.
Not to be overlooked, the Xfinity Series race, which also forms part of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend, has a confirmed purse of $1,651,939. However, that figure actually represents a slight decrease from the 2024 payout, which came in at $1,786,961. Despite this minor dip for the Xfinity division, the overall financial picture for the event still signals substantial growth and commitment to investing in NASCAR’s most prominent races.
Payout Potential for the Winner
With such a sizable purse on the line, drivers and teams are understandably eager to compete — and win. While NASCAR does not publicly release the exact breakdown of earnings for each finishing position, it’s estimated that the first-place finisher in a Cup Series race typically earns between 8% to 10% of the total purse. Applying that calculation to this year’s numbers, the winner of the 2025 Grant Park 165 could earn anywhere from $936,356 to $1,170,445 in prize money.
This is a significant sum by NASCAR standards, and it adds to the prestige of a race that only debuted in 2023 but has already become a fan favorite. The Chicago street course, with its cityscape backdrop and challenging layout, offers a fresh kind of spectacle for motorsport fans — and now, even more incentive for drivers to conquer it.
A Financial Turning Point for NASCAR
The jump in the purse from last year’s figure is more than just a number — it’s a reflection of broader financial changes across the sport. NASCAR’s new media rights deal, which began to take effect this year, is expected to pump billions of dollars into the sport over the next several seasons. These funds are already being distributed among teams, track owners, and prize purses, providing a more robust economic environment for the entire NASCAR ecosystem.
This shift comes at a critical time for NASCAR, as it continues its push toward expansion and modernization. The introduction of high-profile events like the Chicago Street Race is part of a broader effort to attract new fans, explore untapped markets, and compete with other major sporting entities for viewership and cultural relevance.
Chicago Street Race: A New NASCAR Tradition
While NASCAR has traditionally been associated with oval tracks and Southern markets, the Chicago Street Race has emerged as a symbol of the sport’s changing identity. Launched in 2023 as the first-ever street race for the NASCAR Cup Series, the event was both a risky experiment and a bold innovation.
By 2025, however, the Chicago event has grown into a major fixture on the NASCAR calendar. With its unique course weaving through iconic city landmarks and drawing a diverse crowd of spectators, the Grant Park 165 has helped NASCAR reach new audiences and shake up its traditional image.
The growing financial investment in the race — reflected in the purse increase — also underscores its success. NASCAR appears fully committed to developing Chicago as a marquee destination, alongside established events like the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600.
Xfinity Series Sees Slight Dip — But Context Matters
While the Cup Series saw a large increase in payout, the Xfinity Series purse for Chicago dropped slightly from last year. The current total for the Xfinity event stands at $1,651,939, down from $1,786,961 in 2024. However, this minor decline is not necessarily cause for concern.
The Xfinity Series, NASCAR’s second-tier competition, often sees more fluctuation in prize structures due to sponsor deals, attendance projections, and television ratings. With the broader financial gains trickling in from the media rights deal, it’s likely that the overall health of the Xfinity Series remains strong, even with this temporary decrease in payout.
What This Means for the Future
The 2025 Grant Park 165 represents more than just a competitive race — it’s a financial landmark for NASCAR. The $11.7 million purse is one of the largest awarded at a non-traditional track and signals NASCAR’s willingness to invest heavily in innovation, entertainment, and star power.
With top-tier teams and elite drivers vying for a paycheck that could approach or exceed $1 million, the stakes are higher than ever. And for fans, this means an even more thrilling show — with every turn, every pit stop, and every risky move on Chicago’s unforgiving streets carrying real weight.
As the green flag approaches, it’s clear: NASCAR isn’t just racing cars — it’s racing into a bold, lucrative new era.
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