CHGO Digest: NASCAR Chicago races through rain, Chicago's All-Stars, Angel Reese makes history

Good morning, friends!

Is it too much to ask for one dry July Sunday in Downtown Chicago?

NASCAR fans, don’t answer that.

If NASCAR’s Grant Park 165 felt like a carbon copy of last year’s Grant Park 220, that’s because it pretty much was a carbon copy.

Maybe next year’s Grant Park 110 can start an hour or two earlier.

— Patrick Norton

MLB All-Stars: Chicago sending a pair of lefties

Shota Imanaga is a rookie in name only. At 30 years old, Imanaga is quickly becoming an elite starting arm in Major League Baseball, but this is nothing new to those who watched him pitch in NPB in Japan.

Garrett Crochet had never started in the majors until this year. Three months into the season, the former reliever is jockeying for Cy Young Award consideration at the midway point in the season.

Now, despite their team’s shortcomings this season, Chicago’s dominating lefties are headed for the Midsummer Classic in Arlington, Texas next week.

• Imanaga struggled throughout June, but his numbers stayed solid despite the occasional blip in the box score. Through 16 career starts, the Cubs’ rookie sports a 7-2 record with a 3.16 ERA in 91 IP. Remove the two losses and Imanaga’s ERA drops to 1.61 in 83.2 IP.
  
• Crochet is one of the best White Sox success stories in recent memory. Two years removed from elbow surgery, Crochet’s transition from the ‘pen to ace is nothing short of miraculous. In 19 starts this year, Crochet’s 3.08 ERA tells a similar story to Imanaga’s: remove three consecutive starts in April, his ERA drops to 1.92.

🔎 GO DEEPER | Ryan Herrera has reactions from Imanaga and the Cubs’ clubhouse after finding out the rookie southpaw is headed to Arlington.

Hit the links with us!

Join CHGO and ALLCITY’s Big Drive Energy at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club in West Chicago on July 22 for the inaugural Cookout Classic Golf Tournament! Sign up as an individual, twosome, or foursome!

Angel Reese makes WNBA history

Congratulations to Sky rookie Angel Reese on becoming the first player in league history to post 13 consecutive double-doubles!

Reese broke the record formerly held by Candace Parker, tallying 17 points and 14 rebounds in Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Seattle Storm. Throughout Reese’s record-setting run, the rookie has averaged 16 points and 13.5 rebounds per game.

• But Reese is just playing basketball. It’s not about the accolades and record books — it’s about the game. “I don’t really think about it,” said Reese after Sunday’s game. “I just go out there and do my job.”
  
• When asked about breaking Parker’s record, Chicago’s rookie gushed about the WNBA legend, saying “She’s the G.O.A.T, I’ve always respected CP3, and I try even to take some things from her game and try to add them to mine. And just being able to be named with an amazing player like that is always going to be special to me.”
  

Roundup: Bulls ship DeRozan to California, Blackhawks ink Levshunov

• DeMar DeRozan is moving on. The master of the mid-range is headed to Sacramento following a sign-and-trade involving the Kings, Spurs, and Bulls. DeRozan leaves still searching for his first career championship at 34 years old. The Bulls received Chris Duarte, two second-round picks, and cash from Sacramento as part of the deal.
  
• Artyom Levshunov is signing his rookie contract with the Blackhawks, starting the clock on his entry-level contract immediately. Rather than return to Michigan State for his sophomore season, Chicago can have a more “hands-on” approach in the development of the No. 2 pick in last month’s NHL Draft. In all likelihood, Levshunov will spend his entire rookie year in the AHL despite it counting as a year off of his contract.
  
• Fool me twice, rain on me. NASCAR’s Grant Park 165 turned into the Grant Park 127.6 due to rain flooding sections of the 2.2-mile course. Alex Bowman crossed the finish line after 58 laps, securing his first victory in 80 races. Crews worked tirelessly to make the circuit driveable once the rain left the area for good.
  

H.I.T.S. 🤝 D.R.I.V.E.

Join us for an upcoming CHGO event!

⚾ 7/12: Cubs Watch Party at Village Tavern!
⚾ 7/19: Friday 1:20 Club at Wrigley Field! — vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
⛳️ 7/22: Cookout Classic Golf Outing at St. Andrews!
⚾ 8/9: Crosstown Classic Takeover at Guaranteed Rate Field
⛳ 8/23: Kickoff Classic Golf Tournament at Cog Hill!

Check out our full calendar here!