Supercars Invasion Grows: Brown, Waters, Feeney Target NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race: Motorsport News

The Supercars to NASCAR pipeline is gaining momentum. Will Brown and Cam Waters are both expected to race in the Cup Series on the streets of Chicago this July, while Broc Feeney is believed to be targeting a seat in the Xfinity Series. That same event made headlines worldwide in 2023 when Shane van Gisbergen pulled off a legendary debut win, shocking the NASCAR field and proving what many in Australia already knew these guys can race.

Van Gisbergen’s Chicago victory wasn’t just a fluke. It cracked open the door to NASCAR for more Supercars talent and launched SVG into a full-time U.S. campaign. While his 2025 season has had ups and downs, particularly in the Cup Series, his impact on the Xfinity side last year was undeniable solid performances, serious speed, and clear adaptability. His success helped reset the narrative around international drivers in NASCAR, especially those from the Supercars paddock.

Now Will Brown looks ready to make that same leap. The reigning Supercars champion has been on a tear in 2024 and is close to finalizing plans to race in the Chicago Cup event. Since Richard Childress Racing already has a full slate of entries for that weekend, Brown is expected to run with an affiliated team likely Kaulig Racing, which shares tech and engineering support with RCR. That setup could give Brown strong equipment and a legit shot at turning heads on debut.

Cam Waters will also be back in action after making his Cup debut at Sonoma earlier this year with RFK Racing. While his first start was a relatively quiet mid-pack run, he kept it clean, showed good feel, and earned praise from inside the garage. His previous NASCAR experience in the Truck Series had already impressed many with how quickly he adapted, and a second shot on a street course should give him another chance to prove his potential.

And then there’s Broc Feeney. The 21-year-old Triple Eight driver has been one of the most consistent Supercars racers over the past two seasons and is now in talks for a potential Xfinity Series debut in Chicago. While no official deal has been signed, it’s understood he’d likely partner with a Chevrolet-aligned team for the Saturday support race. Unlike Brown and Waters, Feeney isn’t being fast-tracked to Cup—this would be about getting experience, testing the waters, and showcasing his brand to American fans and teams.

It’s not just about talent, either. These moves come as NASCAR continues to explore international growth and capitalize on crossover appeal. The Chicago street race, with its downtown backdrop and prime summer TV slot, is shaping up to be a global event and the Supercars presence just adds another layer of intrigue.

FIA Walks Back Swearing Fines, Adds Nuance to Misconduct Policy

The FIA has revised its controversial January crackdown on driver conduct, including a major reduction in fines for offensive language and new guidelines for how and when stewards should enforce penalties. The updates aim to strike a balance between maintaining professional standards and recognizing the emotional realities of motorsport competition.

Originally introduced earlier this year, the FIA's updated misconduct policy included steep €10,000 fines for swearing or using offensive language during official media sessions, plus potential penalties for gestures or behavior deemed abusive toward officials. Many saw it as an overcorrection, especially after Max Verstappen drew attention to the rule by responding to the new guidelines with minimal answers at a post-race press conference in Singapore.

Now, the FIA has dialed things back. Under the revised rules, the base fine for such infractions has been cut in half from €10,000 to €5,000—and stewards now have the authority to suspend penalties for first-time offenders. The governing body also clarified that it will distinguish between "controlled" environments, like press conferences, and "uncontrolled" ones, such as radio messages or on-track frustration, with the latter unlikely to attract penalties unless extreme.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, himself a former rally driver, said the changes came after a “collaborative review” involving all seven FIA world championships and numerous motorsport clubs. The goal, he said, is to uphold sportsmanship without stifling driver personality or punishing heat-of-the-moment expressions unfairly.

One of the more significant policy shifts involves abuse of officials. Moving forward, such behavior will result in sporting penalties—like grid drops or time penalties—rather than financial fines. Meanwhile, any racial or discriminatory remarks will continue to be met with the harshest possible response.

Garry Connelly, chair of the F1 stewards panel, backed the changes and emphasized that stewards would retain full discretion. “We want to be fair and firm,” he said. “But we also need flexibility to understand context. These are emotional situations, and every case is different.”

The FIA’s update appears to be a direct response to criticism that the initial rollout was too harsh and tone-deaf. By softening the language and allowing for nuance, the organization hopes to show it can evolve without sacrificing its authority.

IndyCar Makes Schedule Shifts to Avoid NASCAR Conflicts, Secure Primetime Slot

IndyCar is adjusting five race start times for the second half of its 2025 season, including a big move to primetime for its upcoming stop at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway). The changes reflect a proactive effort to grow viewership, avoid broadcast clashes with NASCAR, and lean into fan-friendly timeslots.

The biggest change is to the Gateway round now slated for a Sunday night primetime slot on FOX at 8 p.m. ET. Originally scheduled for mid-afternoon on Father’s Day, the new timeslot will make it IndyCar’s first Sunday night race on network TV in more than five years. The race also becomes the first night event at Gateway since 2019.

IndyCar President Doug Boles called it a “massive showcase” for the series. “This is a great display of collaboration between IndyCar, FOX Sports, and our partners at World Wide Technology Raceway,” Boles said. “We believe fans will respond to this new energy around the event.”

That shift wasn’t just for better visibility it also avoids a direct broadcast conflict with NASCAR’s historic debut in Mexico City and Formula 1’s Canadian Grand Prix. With several high-profile races stacked on the same weekend, moving IndyCar to primetime ensures all three series can shine.

Beyond Gateway, four other races are getting new start times as well:

• Road America (June 22): Bumped up from 3:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET

• Mid-Ohio (July 6): Adjusted from 2 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET

• Iowa Race 2 (July 13): Also moves from 2 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET

• Toronto (July 20): Will now start at noon instead of 2 p.m.

  

These shifts reflect ongoing negotiations between FOX and IndyCar to maximize exposure without overlapping major NASCAR Cup events. Even if not every conflict can be avoided, the changes should help more fans catch the action live and that’s a key goal for a series looking to expand its footprint.

So far, IndyCar’s partnership with FOX has delivered promising numbers. According to the series, average race viewership is up 15 percent year-over-year in 2025. With stronger lead-ins, smarter scheduling, and bold moves like the Gateway primetime slot, IndyCar is aiming to build on that momentum and finish the season strong.