Sunday’s Grant Park 220 race is special for several reasons. Not only is this the inaugural edition of the Grant Park 220, but it’s also the first street race in the NASCAR Cup Series history. That said, it’s not easy to predict what’s going to happen in Chicago this weekend, but we’ll give our best in this Grant Park 220 preview.

2023 Ally 400 Odds

*Odds taken on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Chicago Street Course, Chicago, Illinois
• Date: Sunday, July 2, 2023
• Time: 5:30 PM
• How to Watch: NBC

Tyler Reddick’s Road Racing Experience Makes Him the No. 1 Grant Park 220 Favorite

Tyler Reddick is the main favorite, the probable reason being that he’s got experience with racing over a street course. Plus, he’s got a fantastic record on road courses, with wins in Indianapolis and at Road America.

The trouble is that the 27-year-old hasn’t won a race since March 26, when he triumphed at the 2023 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. The race uses a similar course as the Grant Park 220, suggesting that he likes these sorts of races. However, his recent form isn’t great. In the last three races, his best finish was the No. 30 position. 

Other Drivers Worth Checking Out

Last weekend, we predicted Martin Truex Jr. was going to finish in the top 3. And he did! It was his fifth finish on the podium this season, meaning that in almost 30% of all races, he finished in one of the top three spots.

We’re almost certain he’s going to do the same this coming Sunday, but can he win the Grant Park 220? Perhaps, but anything can happen in this event. We think his chance is pretty much the same as the chance of Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and others.

When it comes to longshots, we think you should pay special attention to Chris Buescher. The 30-year-old loves road races, but more importantly, he’s very determined to improve his form as he’s currently sitting in the No. 12 place in the 2023 NASCAR Drivers’ Championship.

Grant Park 220 Prediction

The inaugural Grant Park 220 race looks like an ideal opportunity for a major underdog to upset the odds. Assuming that he actually takes part in Sunday’s race, Chris Buescher is the right guy for the job. He’s great in these sorts of races, with plenty of motivation to win his first race of the 2023 season.

Still, if this is too much of a risky bet for you, a much better alternative is Martin Truex Jr. to finish in the top 3.

Picks: Chris Buescher to win; Martin Truex Jr. to finish in the top 3

The post 2023 Grant Park 220 NASCAR Cup Series Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Legal land-based gambling as well as sports wagering activities help raise tax revenue for states that offer such options. While there are always supporters and opponents of legal gambling, one major benefit of the activity is precisely the tax revenue and the fact that legal gambling helps reduce the share of the black market. Still, land-based casinos can bring much more benefits than tax revenue, considering that such locations can provide economic stimulus for counties or cities.

Now, as reported by The Republican, a new grant will help boost the tourism profile and stimulate the economic profile of Holyoke, Massachusetts. In 2019, the city secured a $200,000 grant that contributed toward its tourism plan, providing much-needed support. The current growth plan for tourism in Holyoke seeks to boost visitation to the city for certain events.

Per the plan, a shuttle will help transport MGM Springfield casino visitors to the city, allowing them to enjoy different annual events. This, in turn, is expected to have a positive effect on the overall visitation of Holyoke and see local businesses grow further.

To engage with its plan, the city secured a $200,000 grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Mitigation Fund. Securing the grant was contingent on acceptance from the City Council. Greenlight about the state grant came Tuesday, allowing the city to progress with its ambitious tourism and economic stimulus plan.

The Grant Is Expected to Have Long-Term Impact

Aaron Vega, the director of Holyoke’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, acknowledged the importance of the new $200,000 grant for the city. He explained: “We’re going to capitalize on the fact that more people are coming to Western Massachusetts due to the casino.” Moreover, he pointed to the city’s potential in offering a wide variety of food options saying: “One of our big focuses is cultural diversity, especially when it comes to our restaurants.”

According to Vega, the funding won’t benefit only short-term initiatives but play a key role in long-term processes. Ultimately, the city’s plan will seek to make it more appealing, attracting tourism and investment as well. He spoke about the different areas that will benefit from the funding saying that the city’s website, Explore Holyoke, will benefit.

Additionally, Vega noted that the grant will fuel different historic tourism initiatives, that are expected to attract new visitors and guests. Different art projects would also receive a boost from the latest grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Mitigation Fund.

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