Denny Hamlin captured the pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway, edging Kyle Larson by a mere 0.001 seconds in a tightly contested qualifying session. The result marked the first race at the Illinois venue since 2019 and introduced the NextGen car, which has reshaped the track’s aerodynamic profile.
A Narrow Margin
Hamlin, who now holds four poles in the 2026 season and 52 in his career, credited the favorable weather and a bit of luck for his performance, while Larson acknowledged the American’s superior lap. The close finish underscored how finely tuned the new car setup has become.
Drivers echoed the sentiment that the circuit feels markedly different. Chris Buescher described the layout as a “new beast,” a view shared by many who noted the altered grip levels brought by the NextGen chassis.
Behind the front row, Brad Keselowski will start fourth, though his recent points slide adds extra pressure, while Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe will line up fifth through eighth. Tyler Reddick, sitting just one point behind Hamlin in the championship standings, will begin 13th, setting up a potential battle for the lead.
Riley Herbst, the fastest in Saturday’s practice, will roll off 18th, and veteran Shane van Gisbergen, the recent Sonoma winner, draws a 30th‑grid slot after struggling with the track’s bumps. Joey Logano, another championship contender, will start 31st after a difficult qualifying run.