A Return to Chicagoland
The NASCAR Cup Series is gearing up for Round 2 of the 2026 In‑Season Challenge, touching down at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. The 1.5‑mile track, silent since 2019, has been resurrected for this event, bringing its classic layout back to life after a seven‑year hiatus.
Round 1 of the challenge delivered a slate of unexpected results, most notably Tyler Reddick’s surprising loss to Alex Bowman. Those upsets have reshaped the playoff picture and set the tone for a fiercely competitive second round.
Among the remaining seeds, Denny Hamlin stands as the highest‑ranked driver still in contention, preparing to face Erik Jones in a marquee matchup. Kyle Larson, meanwhile, boasts the best career average finish at Chicagoland — 6.17 — giving him a statistical edge against William Byron.
The weekend will also feature a sibling rivalry at Joe Gibbs Racing, with Ty Gibbs squaring off against his teammate Chase Briscoe. Another tight contest pits Chris Buescher against Christopher Bell, while Ryan Blaney must navigate a challenge from road‑course specialist Shane van Gisbergen.
Strategic factors such as tire conservation and recent performance trends are expected to play a decisive role. Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and William Byron, both part of the same organization, add an extra layer of intrigue to their head‑to‑head battle.
As the series heads into the final stretch of the regular season, the outcomes at Chicagoland could have major implications for playoff positioning and momentum heading into the championship finale.