A Historic Homecoming
NASCAR is set to make its long‑awaited comeback at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, bringing the Cup Series back to the Chicago metropolitan area for the first time since 2019. The eero 400, scheduled for Sunday evening, marks the end of three consecutive years of downtown street races that have kept the region on the racing map but left the iconic tri‑oval silent.
The shift reflects a strategic decision by series officials to reclaim the 1.5‑mile venue that once hosted annual NASCAR events from 2001 through 2019. After the 2020 race was canceled because of the pandemic and the series skipped the track in 2021 and 2022, the 2023 street race proved a temporary experiment before the organization opted to return to the Joliet tri‑oval for the 2026 season.
Pole Position and a Star‑Studded Grid
Denny Hamlin, currently leading the NASCAR Cup Series standings, will start from pole position, with Kyle Larson, who sits fifth in the championship, lining up beside him on the front row. The second row will feature Chris Buescher and Brad Keslowski, while Ty Gibbs, fourth in the standings, will start fifth. Local favorite Alex Bowman, who captured the last Chicagoland victory in 2019, is slated to start 12th, sparking extra excitement among Illinois fans.
The competitive field also includes a mix of rising talents and veteran drivers, all converging on the speedway’s high‑banked turns. Fans can expect a blend of strategic drafting and aggressive overtaking as the 400‑mile contest unfolds under the lights.
Broadcast Details and Fan Experience
The race will get underway at 5 p.m. on Sunday night and will be televised on TNT, giving viewers a prime‑time slot to experience the action. In‑arena amenities, including the eero 400 branding, will enhance the spectator experience, while local vendors and community programs aim to celebrate the return of NASCAR to the region.
For many, the event represents more than a race; it is a homecoming that reconnects the Chicago area with a motorsport tradition that dates back two decades. The sight of engines roaring around the familiar banking is likely to evoke memories of past glories while ushering in a new chapter for the sport.