The NASCAR Cup Series will stage its 26th race of the season this weekend, the eero 400, at the 1.5‑mile oval of Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. The event is set for Sunday, July 5, and will run 267 laps, translating to a 400.5‑mile distance that is divided into three stages — 80 laps, 85 laps and a final 102‑lap sprint.
Pole Position and Qualifying Details
Denny Hamlin claimed the pole with a blistering lap of 30.296 seconds, edging Kyle Larson by a mere 0.001 seconds. The performance marked Hamlin’s fourth pole of the year and his 52nd career pole, moving him to ninth on the all‑time Cup Series list.
Behind Hamlin, the top five of the starting grid features Larson, Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski and Ty Gibbs, while the broader field also includes Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney, among other contenders.
Race Logistics and Broadcast
The green flag is expected to drop at approximately 6:15 p.m. Eastern Time, with the action televised on both TNT and truTV. The race will be supported by a suite of partners, including Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford, all of which field factory‑backed entries.
Among the teams competing are Joe Gibbs Racing, RFK Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, 23XI Racing, Team Penske, Kaulig Racing, Front Row Motorsports, Trackhouse Racing, Spire Motorsports, Legacy Motor Club, Richard Childress Racing, Wood Brothers Racing, Rick Ware Racing, NY Racing Team and Haas Factory Team, each bringing distinct technical programs and driver line‑ups.
The eero 400 sits at a pivotal juncture of the schedule, offering drivers a chance to gain momentum before the playoffs. With stage points on offer, strategies will hinge on managing tire wear over the 1.5‑mile layout, where aerodynamic grip and pit‑road speed can swing the outcome.
Fans can anticipate a competitive showdown, as the mix of veteran pole sitters and rising stars promises overtaking opportunities on the long straightaways and in the corners of Chicagoland’s high‑banked turns.