NASCAR’s Mid‑Season Milestone at Chicagoland
The Sunday Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway marks the start of the season's second half, featuring a competitive lineup and a track resurgence after seven years of dormancy.
Jul 4, 2026
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Erik Jones
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Erik Jones across Nascar.
NASCAR Makes Its Long‑Awaited Return to Chicagoland Speedway
After a seven‑year hiatus, the Cup Series roared back to Illinois, with Hamlin and Larson battling for the front row and a host of familiar names set to battle the 400‑mile showdown.
Jul 4, 2026
Hamlin Secures Pole as NASCAR Returns to Chicagoland Speedway
Denny Hamlin will lead the grid at Chicagoland Speedway on July 5, 2026, as the series returns after a six‑year absence, with a $11.2 million prize on the line and a fierce points chase among the top drivers.
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
NASCAR’s long‑awaited return to Illinois
After a four‑year hiatus, the Cup Series roars back to Chicagoland Speedway, with Hamlin on pole, Larson close behind, and a full 38‑car field ready for Sunday’s race.
Jul 4, 2026
Hamlin Takes Pole as NASCAR Returns to Chicagoland Speedway
Denny Hamlin secured the pole with a 30.296‑second lap, averaging 178.241 mph, while Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher followed in the top three.
Jul 4, 2026
Bell and Buescher Set for In‑Season Challenge Showdown
Christopher Bell and Christopher Buescher will meet in Round 2 of the NASCAR In‑Season Challenge after winning their opening‑round matchups at Sonoma Raceway. Both drivers are navigating injury concerns and recent practice performances as they prepare for a pivotal race on July 12 at EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta.
Jul 4, 2026
Chevrolet Eyes Ninth Straight Win at Chicagoland
The upcoming O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Chicagoland Speedway will feature a pole‑sitting Connor Zilisch and a lineup packed with Chevrolet-powered entries, while Toyota looks to break its winless streak.
Jul 4, 2026
NASCAR Returns to Chicagoland Speedway for the eero 400
After a four‑year hiatus, the Cup Series rolls back into Chicagoland, where a mix of seasoned veterans and newcomers will battle a now‑rougher surface.
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
Rain Forces NASCAR to Reorder Chicagoland Starting Grid
NASCAR called off Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway due to thunderstorms, opting for a brief practice session. Should Cup qualifying also be canceled, the starting order for Sunday's 38‑car eero 400 will be determined by reversing the metric scores, giving Ty Gibbs the pole and J.J. Yeley the last spot. The race will air live on TNT at 6 p.m. ET.
Jul 4, 2026
Hamlin Leads NASCAR Cup as Analysts Size Up Chicago Challenge
Denny Hamlin’s recent surge to the top of the standings, driven by solid performances and Tyler Reddick’s misfortune, sets the stage for a deep dive into the upcoming Chicago race, where tire dynamics and rivalries could reshape the playoff picture.
Jul 4, 2026
Hamlin Leads Odds as NASCAR Revives Oval Racing at Chicagoland
Denny Hamlin tops the betting board at +300, with Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson close behind, while veteran Brad Keselowski eyes a historic win.
Jul 4, 2026
NASCAR In‑Season Tournament Heads to Chicagoland for Round Two
The second round of the NASCAR Cup Series In‑Season Tournament lands at Chicagoland Speedway, featuring sixteen drivers, key rivalries and strategic battles.
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
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 Cup Series Returns to Chicagoland Speedway for Practice Ahead of Sunday Race
NASCAR drivers took to Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, marking their first practice session since 2019. Riley Herbst set the fastest lap while Erik Jones was forced to exit with damage.
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
NASCAR Revives Chicagoland Speedway for 2026 eero 400
After a seven‑year absence, NASCAR returns to Chicagoland Speedway with a streamlined qualifying system that promises a fresh competitive dynamic for the 2026 eero 400.
Jul 3, 2026
NASCAR Returns to Chicagoland Speedway in July 2026 with a New Qualifying Format
After a seven‑year hiatus, the NASCAR Cup Series will race at Chicagoland Speedway in July 2026. The event will use a streamlined qualifying system where each driver completes one lap to determine the starting order for the eero 400.
Jul 3, 2026
NASCAR Revives Midwest Tradition with 2026 eero 400 at Chicagoland
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series will host the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, marking the first 1.5‑mile race since Charlotte Motor Speedway in late May and reviving a venue last seen in 2019.
Jul 3, 2026
NASCAR’s 2026 Season Hits Midpoint with Eero 400 Qualifying Showdown
The halfway mark finds NASCAR teams battling for position at Chicagoland Speedway, where qualifying metrics are already shaping playoff prospects.
Jul 3, 2026
NASCAR Revives Chicagoland Speedway After Six‑Year Absence
NASCAR returns to Chicagoland Speedway after six years, with drivers like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Erik Jones and Tyler Reddick poised to shape the event.
Jul 3, 2026