The NASCAR Cup Series is back at Chicagoland Speedway for the second round of its In‑Season Tournament, marking the first visit to the Illinois track in seven years. Sixteen drivers have already secured their spots after winning their opening‑round matchups, and the stage is set for a slate of high‑stakes battles.
Key Matchups to Watch
Alex Bowman, the defending race winner at Chicagoland, edged Tyler Reddick in the first round and now meets Austin Cindric, who barely outpaced Brad Keselowski to advance. Both drivers bring momentum, with Bowman’s recent form and Cindric’s narrow victory adding extra intrigue.
In another intriguing pairing, Todd Gilliland upset Daniel Suarez, setting up a showdown with Carson Hocevar. Hocevar has demonstrated a clear edge on intermediate circuits this season, positioning him as the favorite despite Gilliland’s upset pedigree.
Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe will square off, with Briscoe holding an edge based on his Kansas Speedway performance. Meanwhile, Chase Elliott is heavily favored to move past Michael McDowell, leveraging his strong intermediate‑track record.
Denny Hamlin also progressed after Ty Dillon’s technical woes, and now faces Erik Jones. Hamlin’s intermediate expertise makes him the clear favorite, while Christopher Bell, racing with a broken wrist, will take on Chris Buescher, who has logged the fifth‑most laps inside the top‑ten this season.
Teammate Showdowns and Strategic Edge
Kyle Larson and William Byron, both under the Hendrick Motorsports banner, are set to clash. Larson’s recent dominance on intermediate tracks like Kansas gives him a statistical edge, while Byron’s consistency keeps the contest tight. In the Ford camp, Ryan Blaney stands as the lone winner this season and rides a six‑race top‑ten streak, making him the favorite against Shane van Gisbergen.
With the tournament entering its second round, the mix of veteran savvy, rookie upsets and teammate rivalries promises a compelling narrative as the series heads into the Midwest.