NASCAR In-Season Challenge Heats Up at Chicagoland Speedway
The second‑week showdown at Chicagoland features key pairings, Denny Hamlin’s lead and a $1 million prize for the winner.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Michael McDowell across Nascar.
The second‑week showdown at Chicagoland features key pairings, Denny Hamlin’s lead and a $1 million prize for the winner.

The upcoming event at Illinois’ 1.5‑mile track features practice and qualifying schedules for the Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, while the ARCA Menards Series makes its return.

NASCAR is set to make its long‑awaited return to Chicagoland Speedway, with qualifying orders already revealing early leaders in both the Cup and O’Reilly Series.

The second annual NASCAR In-Season Challenge opened at Sonoma Raceway with 32 drivers competing in head‑to‑head matchups. Unexpected eliminations, including the No. 1 seed, reshaped the bracket and set the stage for a competitive second round at Chicagoland Speedway.

The eero 400 and Cuervo 300 will feature full fields, multiple stages and nationwide broadcast coverage, while betting markets open ahead of the July 4‑5 events.

NASCAR’s Cup Series returns to Chicagoland Speedway for the eero 400, featuring Spire Motorsports’ three‑car entry of Daniel Suárez, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar, each with distinct playoff aspirations.

Analysts break down the upcoming pairings at Chicagoland Speedway, weighing past track records, recent form and playoff implications.

After a gripping Sonoma event, the latest power rankings reveal how track position and tactical decisions are reshaping the playoff picture, with Larson and Blaney dominating recent form and Bell making a surprising return.

The Cup Series returns to Illinois after a seven‑year absence, featuring a full slate of teams and crew chiefs for the second round of the NASCAR In‑Season Challenge.
The opening stage of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge has delivered surprising results, with lower‑seeded drivers pulling off key victories and the schedule moving toward July finals.

Round 1 of the NASCAR In‑Season Bracket Challenge at Sonoma Raceway delivered surprising upsets, with Alex Bowman, Todd Gilliland and Michael McDowell advancing while Tyler Reddick, Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace and other top seeds were eliminated.

Round 1 of the NASCAR In‑Season Bracket Challenge at Sonoma Raceway delivered unexpected results, with top seeds falling and all 23XI Racing drivers exiting early.
The opening round of the NASCAR in‑season challenge saw the highest‑seeded driver, Tyler Reddick, knocked out by Alex Bowman, while Denny Hamlin advanced despite damage. Only two top‑10 seeds were eliminated, setting the stage for a competitive second round.

Shane van Gisbergen led 75 laps and held off Chase Briscoe to claim victory in the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, with Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell rounding out the top finishers.

Shane van Gisbergen edged Chase Briscoe at Sonoma Raceway, securing his 12th road‑course win and moving ahead of the Chase cut‑line, while Denny Hamlin’s late spin dropped him to 26th, preserving his one‑point championship edge.

Shane van Gisbergen’s second consecutive win at Sonoma reshapes the Cup championship picture as the series heads to Chicagoland

Van Gisbergen's dominant performance at Sonoma Raceway underscored his road‑course mastery and kept the championship battle tightly contested.

Shane van Gisbergen won the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, with Chase Briscoe, Ty Biggs and Kyle Larson rounding out the top three. The series now moves to Chicagoland Speedway on July 5 and Atlanta's Echopark Speedway on July 12.

Shane van Gisbergen swept the weekend at Sonoma, securing his second victory of the 2026 season while edging toward a historic nine‑win road‑course tally.

Van Gisbergen's weekend sweep at Sonoma Raceway culminated in a tense final lap showdown, reshaping the championship picture as Denny Hamlin seized the points lead despite a 26th‑place finish.

Shane van Gisbergen wins his second 2026 NASCAR Cup race at Sonoma, edging Chase Briscoe in a dramatic finish, while Ty Gibbs sweeps both stages and Denny Hamlin takes the points lead.
Shane van Gisbergen dominated the 2026 Sonoma road race, leading 74 laps and securing his second win of the season. The performance placed him alongside Tony Stewart in the record books and highlighted a competitive field of drivers.

A dramatic finish at Sonoma Raceway saw Shane van Gisbergen take his 11th road‑course win, reshaping the championship picture.

Shane van Gisbergen clinches the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma, while Ty Gibbs wins both stages and Denny Hamlin tops the revised championship standings.