Zeigler Auto Group’s No. 78 Chevy Camaro, piloted by Live Fast Motorsports’ Josh Bilicki, hit the streets of Chicago despite the heavy rain that threatened the race over the weekend. Bilicki braved the Chicago Street Race on Sunday, July 2, 2023, alongside 36 other drivers, finishing in 23rd position after finishing 19th in stage 1 and 2, and driving to the second position before his first pit stop.
CHICAGO (July 3, 2023) – Zeigler Auto Group/Zeigler Racing was part of the historic Chicago Street Race with Live Fast Motorsports and NASCAR driver Josh Bilicki this past weekend during the inaugural Grant Park 220, which took place on Sunday, July 2, 2023, despite ongoing weather concerns.
Bilicki, who was behind the wheel of the Zeigler.com No. 78 Camaro, qualified in the 27th position, a career best for Live Fast Motorsports, and finished in an impressive 23rd position after finishing 19th in stages one and two. Early in the race, Bilicki worked his way through the competition and found himself up to second position during stage one, giving him plenty of camera time during the national broadcast.
Besides the time delays due to the weather, the race was also shortened from 100 laps to 75 mid-race, while some teams were fueling, throwing off many strategies including that of Team 78.
Along with this past weekend’s events, Zeigler Auto Group also hosted a meet-and-greet tour on Wednesday, June 28th and Thursday, June 29th for Bilicki at five of its 21 Chicagoland-area dealerships. The successful meet-and-greet tour brought fans from all over to wish the Wisconsin-native good luck before the big race.
With 35 total dealerships throughout the midwest, Zeigler Auto Group has served 15 million customers since opening its doors in 1975.
Live Fast Motorsports is a single-car Chevrolet Camaro team based in Mooresville, NC., competing in the NASCAR Cup Series under the No. 78. The team is co-owned by B.J. McLeod and Matt Tifft. B.J. McLeod also serves as the team’s driver. Jessica McLeod, CEO of Live Fast Motorsports, gives a progressive outlook in breaking down barriers in the sport of NASCAR and inspiring opportunities for women in the sport for generations to come.
Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 78 franchises across 35 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.
Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.
The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,300 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2022. The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2023, and among Glassdoor’s top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.