Will Brown, the reigning Supercars champion, is set to return to the US to race for Kaulig Racing in the upcoming NASCAR Chicago street race in July. This marks his second stint in the NASCAR Cup Series, following his debut last year at Sonoma. He will compete alongside AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon, driving the No. 13 Chevrolet.
The Chicago race, now in its third year, has become a highlight on the NASCAR calendar, especially after Australian Shane van Gisbergen won on his debut. Brown expressed confidence in his experience with street circuits, saying, “Street circuits are what we do here in Australia, so that’s a massive advantage for us.” However, he acknowledges that NASCAR drivers have the upper hand in terms of familiarity with the cars and the increasing number of circuit races they compete in.
At 26, Brown currently races for Triple Eight Engineering in the Supercars Championship, where he sits behind teammate Broc Feeney in the standings. His impressive 2024 season saw him achieve a remarkable feat of 19 podium finishes, breaking a long-standing record.
Brown aims for a strong performance in Chicago, targeting a top-five finish as a significant achievement. “Having a clean race is the most important thing,” he noted, reflecting on his previous experience at Sonoma, which he described as a “bucket list item.” This time, he hopes to deliver a better result.
While he is enthusiastic about racing in the US, Brown clarified that full-time participation in the NASCAR circuit isn’t currently on his agenda. “It’s scratching an itch for me,” he stated, mentioning his love for competing abroad and watching NASCAR. He hopes to take part in more races next year, depending on the Supercars calendar.
In preparation for the Chicago race, Brown is making adjustments to ensure he is better equipped than last year, when he finished 31st in Sonoma despite a commendable qualifying effort. He is eager for the race weekend and believes his preparation, including time spent with the Kaulig Racing team, will make a difference.
James Waters from Tickford Racing, who also raced stateside, faced difficulties and finished 35th after a crash during the race. Brown has ambitions of participating in more international events in 2025, although logistical clashes with Supercar races limit his options.
Brown will start track activities with Kaulig Racing on July 6, shortly after the Darwin Supercars round. He feels optimistic about his level of preparation this year, saying, “I don’t feel like I’m going in as blind this year,” thanks to the ample time dedicated to preparing for this race.