Hamlin Takes Pole at Chicagoland as Larson Looms
Denny Hamlin secured pole for the NASCAR Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway, edging out Kyle Larson by just 0.001 seconds and entering the event as the points leader.
Jul 4, 2026
Organization
23XI Racing
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning 23XI Racing across Nascar.
Denny Hamlin clinches pole at Chicagoland in a photo‑finish
Denny Hamlin secured pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway, edging Kyle Larson by just 0.001 seconds. The result propels Hamlin to the championship lead while Tyler Reddick prepares to start 13th.
Jul 4, 2026
Hamlin Takes Pole for Chicagoland 400 as Larson Falls Just Short
Denny Hamlin secured pole position with a 30.296‑second lap, edging Kyle Larson by 0.001 seconds. Michael McDowell will start at the rear after a pre‑qualifying inspection failure. The race will feature a full field of teams and drivers, broadcast on TNT and HBO MAX.
Jul 4, 2026
Keselowski Challenges Toyota’s NASCAR Dominance
Brad Keselowski argues that Toyota's recent success stems from its support of two elite teams, while Denny Hamlin disputes the narrative, citing a business‑driven alliance. The debate highlights shifting power dynamics, financial arrangements, and the impact of recent rule adjustments.
Jul 4, 2026
NASCAR Returns to Chicagoland for Independence Day Weekend
The NASCAR Cup Series will hold its qualifying session for the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 4, featuring Denny Hamlin atop the points, Shane van Gisbergen’s recent Sonoma win, and Corey Heim’s debut after his first Cup victory.
Jul 4, 2026
Toyota’s Collaborative Edge Fuels NASCAR Dominance, Says Keselowski
Brad Keselowski argues that Toyota's recent NASCAR success stems not from horsepower but from a culture of collaboration among its top teams, a strategy that has left Ford and Chevrolet trailing.
Jul 4, 2026
NASCAR Qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway Introduces 2025 Metric Ahead of Chicago 400 Broadcast
A new 2025 qualifying metric sets the lineup for Sunday’s 267‑lap race at Chicagoland Speedway, with new non‑chartered entries and a live TNT broadcast.
Jul 4, 2026
Manufacturer Alliances Redefine NASCAR’s Next Gen Competition
NASCAR's shift to a standardized chassis has turned team engineering into a collective effort, with Toyota's coordinated program prompting drivers Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin to highlight the strategic value of manufacturer partnerships.
Jul 4, 2026
Garage 66 Exits Chicagoland NASCAR Event, Continuing Turbulent 2026 Season
Garage 66 has confirmed it will not field a car at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, marking the second withdrawal in 2026. The move leaves only two non‑chartered entries for the eero 400 and sparks discussion about the team's upcoming driver lineup and race schedule.
Jul 4, 2026
Toyota’s Practice Dominance at Chicagoland Ahead of eero 400
Ahead of the eero 400, practice at Chicagoland Speedway revealed a dominant Toyota performance, with Riley Herbst topping the times and a cluster of championship contenders jostling for pole position.
Jul 4, 2026
Riley Herbst tops practice at Chicagoland Speedway
Riley Herbst set the fastest lap at Chicagoland Speedway with a speed of 178.065 mph, while teammate Bubba Wallace finished second. Toyota-powered entries swept six of the top eight positions, and several notable drivers turned strong times before Saturday's qualifying.
Jul 4, 2026
Riley Herbst Sets Fastest Lap in Final NASCAR Cup Practice at Chicagoland Speedway
Riley Herbst topped the final Cup Series practice at Chicagoland Speedway with a 178.065 mph lap, while Toyota’s six entries filled the top ten and Tyler Reddick led in long‑run speed.
Jul 4, 2026
Keselowski and Hamlin Clash Over Toyota’s Dominance in NASCAR’s Next Gen Era
Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin disagree on why Toyota has surged to eleven wins this season, but both agree that collaboration defines the modern NASCAR landscape.
Jul 4, 2026
NASCAR’s Next Gen Era: Collaboration Over Pit Road
Veteran drivers examine the shift from on‑track battles to boardroom strategies, highlighting Toyota's dominance and the new collaborative model in NASCAR.
Jul 4, 2026
Denny Hamlin Eyes Championship as NASCAR’s New Chase Format Shifts the Odds
After nearly two decades of chasing a Cup Series title, Denny Hamlin believes the revamped Chase format gives him the best chance yet, especially as he leads the regular‑season standings and enjoys strong support from his Joe Gibbs Racing program.
Jul 4, 2026
Denny Hamlin Foresees Spectacular NASCAR Return to Chicagoland Speedway
In a recent interview, Denny Hamlin shared his optimism that the upcoming NASCAR race at Chicagoland Speedway could deliver some of the best Next Gen racing of the season, while cautioning that test data may not fully predict race dynamics.
Jul 4, 2026
Drivers React to Chicagoland’s Rough Debut Ahead of NASCAR Return
Tyler Reddick’s surprising pace was tempered by confusion over the track’s condition, while several drivers noted pronounced bumps in Turns 3 and 4 and compared the venue to historic tracks.
Jul 4, 2026
NASCAR Makes Its Long‑Awaited Return to Chicagoland Speedway
After a four‑year hiatus, NASCAR roared back to Chicagoland Speedway, with Riley Herbst topping the speed charts in a 50‑minute session that saw teammate Bubba Wallace close behind and Tyler Reddick logging the most laps.
Jul 3, 2026
NASCAR Revives Chicagoland Speedway After Three-Year Absence
NASCAR returned to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019, with Riley Herbst topping the speed charts and Tyler Reddick leading lap averages in a practice session that highlighted new tire behavior and hopes for a wider racing groove.
Jul 3, 2026
NASCAR Returns to Chicagoland Speedway After Four-Year Hiatus
NASCAR made its long‑awaited comeback at Chicagoland Speedway, with 23XI Racing drivers sweeping the speed charts and raising intriguing questions about the track's aging surface.
Jul 3, 2026
Upper Deck and 23XI Racing Celebrate Space Jam’s 30th Anniversary with NASCAR‑Themed Event at Navy Pier
A summer gathering at Chicago’s Navy Pier blended nostalgia for the classic film with the excitement of upcoming NASCAR action, featuring giveaways, a mini basketball court and a special paint scheme for Bubba Wallace’s upcoming race.
Jul 3, 2026
Denny Hamlin Secures Future of Tyler Reddick with New 23XI Racing Contract
Denny Hamlin announced that Tyler Reddick’s new contract with 23XI Racing will soon be finalized, highlighting the driver’s recent Darlington win and his strong start to the season.
Jul 3, 2026
Hamlin Leads as 2026 Chicagoland 400 Approaches, Experts Forecast Upset
Denny Hamlin’s five victories this season and +380 favorite status set the stage for the 2026 NASCAR eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, where expert analysts predict a surprise showdown.
Jul 3, 2026
NASCAR Makes Long‑Awaited Return to Chicagoland Speedway
The Cup Series returns to the 1.5‑mile oval in Joliet after a seven‑year hiatus, with Hamlin leading the betting market and a host of teams and longshots poised to shape the competition.
Jul 3, 2026