A Return After Seven Years
The NASCAR Cup Series is set to race at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, marking the track’s comeback after a seven‑year absence. The last event at the 1.5‑mile oval took place in 2019, and the upcoming weekend will be the first competitive action there since then.
Chicagoland Speedway, located in Joliet, Illinois, has long been a staple of the Midwest racing calendar. Its blend of high‑speed corners and moderate banking offers a unique challenge that drivers and crews alike find rewarding, making its return a much‑anticipated moment for fans and competitors.
Among the entries slated for the weekend is the No. 66 car fielded by Garage 66, with Josh Bilicki slated to take the wheel. The team had been preparing for the event with a modest program that relied heavily on primary partners to cover the full race weekend budget.
Garage 66 announced its withdrawal from the Chicagoland weekend due to an inability to secure sufficient sponsorship. The team expressed disappointment at missing what is traditionally a high‑visibility race, especially one that falls around the July 4th holiday, but remains hopeful that a new funding arrangement will materialize in the near future.
Season Context and Upcoming Action
The No. 66 entry has already contested eight races in the 2026 season, with its most recent outing at Nashville Superspeedway in May. While results have been modest, the team has gathered valuable data that it hopes will translate into stronger performances later in the year.
Beyond the immediate weekend, the Cup Series schedule continues to pack a series of intermediate‑track and short‑track events, each presenting distinct strategic considerations. For Garage 66, the focus now is on rebuilding its partnership base and returning to competition as soon as possible.
Looking Forward
NASCAR officials have emphasized that the series remains committed to expanding its geographic footprint, and the return of Chicagoland is part of that broader vision. For mid‑tier teams, the path forward often hinges on securing stable sponsorship, and the coming weeks may prove decisive in determining whether Garage 66 can re‑enter the lineup for future dates.