Unpacking The Great Chicago Dust Up of 2025

The 2025 Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals brought an event that fans will remember for decades. During the race weekend in Chicago, some of the most unusual weather ever experienced at an NHRA event hit Route 66 Raceway.

High winds swept across northern Illinois and, for the first time in 91 years, a true dust storm blew through the area. Racers and teams scrambled to adjust as conditions became unpredictable, with visibility dropping and dust coating every surface in sight.

Jack Beckman, who came out on top in Funny Car, described the event as one of the most topsy-turvy weekends of his career. Teams worked long hours adapting to sudden weather changes.

High winds challenged crew chiefs with tuning, while dust and debris made each run down the track a test of both skill and luck. Beckman and his crew managed each round carefully, making calls that balanced performance and safety.

In the end, their experience paid off with a key win at one of the wildest stops on the NHRA schedule. Chicagoland’s own T.J. Zizzo shared how difficult the race was for his Top Fuel team.

Zizzo, a part-time racer familiar with local tracks, was bumped from competition in the first round. Even though his run ended early, Zizzo explained how his team tackled the harsh conditions, stayed flexible, and made every effort to bring their best against a field of strong contenders.

Zizzo spoke about changes in their approach, what they learned, and how racing in weather like this forces everyone to think on their feet. The cause of the dust storm traces back to central Illinois farm fields.

Dry conditions and increased tilling left huge amounts of loose soil exposed. Strong winds gusting above 60 mph lifted soil into the air, creating blackout conditions along parts of Interstate 74 and sending dust all the way to downtown Chicago.

It was the worst dust event in Illinois since the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Many drivers and fans at Route 66 Raceway said they had never experienced anything like it.

Dust storms this intense are rare but pose dangers for both racers and the public. In 2023, another Illinois dust storm led to multiple fatalities on Interstate 55.

Weather experts link the risk to modern farming practices that rely on high-speed tilling and leave farmland bare in the spring. When strong winds hit, there’s nothing to hold the soil down.

Farmers and environmental groups have responded by promoting cover crops and reduced tillage to cut dust and prevent future accidents. Despite all the chaos, the Route 66 Nationals wrapped up without serious injury.

The NHRA staff worked hard to keep everyone safe, adjusting schedules as needed and clearing dust from the track between rounds. Track personnel and emergency crews stayed alert for any changes in wind or visibility.

While Zizzo’s team missed a shot at a hometown win, Beckman’s victory in tough conditions added another achievement to his record. The 2025 Chicago dust storm has already sparked new conversations among racers, farmers, and officials about preventing future weather disruptions.

The weekend proved that quick thinking and teamwork matter as much as horsepower. For the NHRA, it was a race weekend that won’t soon be forgotten, adding a dramatic chapter to the history of Route 66 Raceway and the sport itself.

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.