The NASCAR Cup Series is set to make its long‑awaited return to Chicagoland Speedway on July 5, 2026, for the eero 400. The 1.5‑mile oval, located in Joliet, Illinois, will host its first Cup race in seven years, reviving a venue that last saw action in 2019.
A New Era for the Track
This weekend marks the debut of the Next Gen car at the track, a vehicle designed to improve racing through reduced aerodynamic dependence and increased mechanical grip. Because the car has never been tested on this particular layout, teams will be searching for traction in the grooves both up and down the banking, making the weekend an unprecedented technical experiment.
Alex Bowman captured the final Cup race at Chicagoland in 2019, but the record books also list Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin as former winners of the event. Eighteen drivers who competed in that 2019 race are now entered again, bringing a blend of experience and fresh talent to the competition.
Analyst Predictions
Analysts from The Tennessean have weighed in with their forecasts. Mike Organ predicts Denny Hamlin will notch his fifth victory of the season, citing the driver’s strong recent form. Nick Gray believes Kyle Larson is poised to break his winless streak, while Tom Kreager highlights Joey Logano’s past performances as a reason for optimism. Each analyst points to a different combination of momentum, track history, and car setup as the catalyst for their choice.
The race will also showcase the engineering might of the teams involved. Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Team Penske are among the organizations fielding entries, each bringing their own technical resources and driver line‑ups to the challenge.