Goodyear Racing is set to debut a suite of intermediate‑track tire configurations at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, marking the first NASCAR national‑series action at the 1.5‑mile oval in Joliet, Illinois, since 2019.
The tire packages, which have already been run on other intermediate ovals such as Nashville Superspeedway, were validated during an April test that featured Cup Series regulars Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin alongside O’Reilly Auto Parts drivers Justin Allgaier and Brandon Jones.
A proven strategy returns to the Midwest
Goodyear’s left‑side compound, previously seen at Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway, will be paired with a right‑side version that made its debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. All cars will also carry inner liners, a standard requirement on tracks of a mile or longer.
Team allocations reflect the proven nature of the package: Cup Series entries will receive twelve sets — eight fresh for the race, one that shifts from qualifying, and three for practice — while O’Reilly Auto Parts teams will be allotted seven sets, including four new sets for the event.
The timing coincides with the Fourth of July weekend, a period that promises heightened fan interest as NASCAR returns to the Midwest. Rick Heinrich, Goodyear’s NASCAR product manager, said the April session provided valuable data and confirmed that the intermediate package is the right choice for the upcoming event.
Fans can expect a blend of strategy and speed as teams fine‑tune setups on a track that has been absent from the Cup calendar for half a decade. With the new tire configurations, Goodyear aims to deliver the performance reliability that competitors have come to expect, ensuring a competitive and memorable race.