In recent NASCAR events, it’s become increasingly uncommon for drivers to fail to qualify (DNQ) for races, including the upcoming Cup race on the Chicago Street Course. This race features 36 full-time chartered teams alongside five open entries, the latter of which occupy the last four grid spots. However, one open entry missed qualifying, marking the first DNQ at Texas Motor Speedway for a non-500 race since 2018, as reported by Seth Eggart.
Let’s examine the five open entries:
1. Will Brown, No. 13 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Brown, though not widely known in NASCAR circles, is a formidable competitor as the reigning Australian Supercar champion leading the 2025 championship. He replaced Shane Van Gisbergen on the Red Bull Triple 8 team when SVG transitioned to NASCAR and has one previous Cup start at Sonoma in 2024, finishing 24th and 31st.
2. Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
A seasoned NASCAR Xfinity Series driver with 13 wins, Hill is making his 12th attempt to qualify for the Cup Series driving the third RCR car. He has experience on the Chicago Street Course and previously finished 34th and 31st in last year’s Chicago Cup race. Hill showed strong road-course prowess, notably trading paint with SVG for wins at Sonoma and Kota.
3. Josh Bilicki, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford
Bilicki, driving for a smaller team owned by Carl Long, brings the most Cup experience among these five with 103 starts. He is also a competent road racer with two prior Cup starts on the Chicago Street Course, finishing 23rd in 2023 and 28th in 2024.
4. Corey Heim, No. 67 23xi Racing Toyota
Heim races for the largest team on the list, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, aiming for his sixth Cup start. He leads the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series with five wins and dominated a recent race at Limerock Park, though this will be his first race on the Chicago Street Course.
5. Katherine Legge, Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
Legge is an experienced road racer with a successful IMSA career, including four wins and a runner-up finish in the GTD championship. The British driver has also competed in multiple Indy 500s, DTM, WEC, and Formula E, now seeking to compete via a smaller single-car team.
Fan Take: This rare instance of a driver failing to qualify highlights the intense competition in today’s NASCAR, especially for open entries fighting for limited spots. It underscores how the sport is evolving with international talents and varied racing backgrounds entering the fray, promising a more diverse and exciting future for NASCAR fans.
