The NASCAR Cup Series is set to make its long‑awaited comeback at Chicagoland Speedway, marking the first race on the 1.5‑mile oval in Illinois since 2019. The weekend will also feature the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the ARCA Menards Series, giving fans a full slate of stock‑car action.
Qualifying and Practice Times
Fans can mark their calendars for Saturday’s Cup qualifying at 3 p.m. Eastern, preceded by Friday’s practice at 6 p.m. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will run its own qualifying at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, with a 4:30 p.m. practice on Friday.
A Milestone for the ARCA Menards Series
The ARCA Menards Series will join the weekend’s program, adding a regional championship component that has not been seen at Chicagoland in recent years.
Beyond the on‑track schedule, the event showcases a deep driver roster that reads like a who’s‑who of modern NASCAR. Names such as Chase Elliott Kyle Larson Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace are joined by rising talents like Ty Gibbs Zane Smith and Connor Zilisch each bringing their own metrics and momentum.
The return of these series to Chicagoland not only revives a historic venue but also underscores NASCAR’s commitment to regional diversity. With the track located in Joliet Illinois the weekend offers a chance for local supporters to experience top‑level racing close to home.
With playoff implications looming for the Cup drivers the race promises high stakes and intense competition while the ARCA and O’Reilly events provide additional opportunities for teams to test new strategies.