Chicagoland’s Bumpy Return to NASCAR Racing

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 5, 2026

NASCAR is returning to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019, featuring Next Gen cars on the track's famously rough surface that challenges drivers and teams. This race marks a key moment for re-engaging Midwest fans and testing the adaptability of drivers like Denny Hamlin and Carson Hocevar on a revived yet demanding 1.5-mile oval.

NASCAR returns to Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday for the first time since 2019, marking a notable revival at the 1.5-mile track located in Joliet, about 50 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The seven-year hiatus saw the venue endure typical Midwest weather fluctuations, while NASCAR’s Cup Series advanced with the introduction of the Next Gen cars in 2022, making this weekend’s race a fresh challenge for teams and drivers alike.

From 2001 to 2019, Chicagoland Speedway hosted 19 Cup races, including a stint as the opening race of the 2011 playoffs. Despite efforts to build local enthusiasm, attendance numbers had lagged, prompting NASCAR’s departure. In recent years, the sport experimented with a street course race in downtown Chicago during early July, although the future of that event is uncertain and may shift to a different weekend in 2027. Meanwhile, the return to the traditional oval track represents a renewed opportunity to engage fans in the region.

Drivers acknowledge the track’s distinct characteristics amid adapting to the Next Gen vehicles. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe likened the experience to learning a new circuit. Austin Dillon of Richard Childress Racing called Chicagoland one of the most unique mile-and-a-half tracks, comparing it to Homestead and Darlington due to its uneven surface and challenging layout. Denny Hamlin, who won at the speedway in 2015 and secured the pole position for Sunday’s race with a qualifying lap of 30.296 seconds, noted the difference between prior testing sessions and race conditions, emphasizing the many unknowns still to unfold.

The track’s rough and bumpy surface poses a particular challenge for the Next Gen cars, which are generally known to struggle on such terrain. Brad Keselowski pointed out that while the cars “hate the track,” this friction could enhance racing by encouraging multiple grooves and demanding creative adjustments from drivers and teams.

Notable storylines include Wallace driving a "Space Jam"-themed No. 23 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, who starred in the 1996 movie celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Wallace recently participated in a related event at Navy Pier, highlighting the cultural connection.

Carson Hocevar will mark his 100th career Cup Series start. Having debuted in 2023 and already secured a victory at Talladega earlier this year, Hocevar reflected on the swift progression of his NASCAR career. Meanwhile, Alex Bowman—winner at Chicagoland in 2019 and on the Chicago street course in 2024—seeks to rebound after a challenging season, bringing experience on similar tracks in the Next Gen era.

The return to Chicagoland Speedway represents both a nostalgic homecoming and a test of adaptability as NASCAR drivers contend with a resurging venue and the evolving demands of the Next Gen cars.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.