Chicago

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Chicagoland Speedway for the eero 400, marking the series' comeback to the renowned 1.5-mile tri-oval in Joliet, Illinois. This race brings premier stock car racing back to the Chicago area after several years away from the venue. The track last hosted a Cup Series race in 2019, and fans can look forward to close racing action on one of NASCAR's classic intermediate speedways.

Chicagoland Speedway Circuit Details

Chicagoland Speedway features a 1.5-mile asphalt tri-oval configuration with four turns. The track has earned a reputation for producing close finishes and competitive racing throughout the field. The 2026 eero 400 will cover 267 laps, totaling 400.5 miles of racing. The facility in Joliet provides a traditional oval racing experience that tests both driver skill and team strategy.

Full Race Weekend at Chicago

The return of NASCAR Cup Series racing to Chicagoland Speedway anchors a complete weekend of stock car competition. The ARCA Menards Series opens the weekend with the Ashley Furniture 150. The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series follows with the Cuervo 300. The eero 400 Cup Series race serves as the weekend's main event. Pre-race festivities include the Busch Light Summer Music Series featuring Mitchell Tenpenny.

2026 Entry List and Participants

The eero 400 features a strong field of 39 cars competing for victory. Ross Chastain drives the No. 1 Busch Light Flavor Showdown Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. Team Penske fields Austin Cindric in the No. 2 PPG Ford and Ryan Blaney in the No. 12 Ford. Hendrick Motorsports brings Kyle Larson in the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet and William Byron in the No. 24 Anduril Chevrolet. Chase Elliott pilots the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, while Alex Bowman competes in the No. 48 Chevrolet.

Other notable entries include Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Toyota, Christopher Bell in the No. 20 Toyota, and Tyler Reddick in the No. 45 Toyota. Brad Keselowski drives the No. 6 TravelCenters of America Ford. Richard Childress Racing fields Austin Dillon in the No. 3 Dow Veterans Chevrolet. Daniel Suárez returns in the No. 7 Modo Casino Chevrolet, and Bubba Wallace competes in the No. 23 Toyota.

The field also includes rising talent and veteran competitors. Corey Heim makes an appearance for 23XI Racing in the No. 67 Toyota. Connor Zilisch drives the No. 78 Chevrolet. Shane Van Gisbergen pilots the No. 99 Chevrolet. Other drivers include Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, Joey Logano, Josh Berry, Cole Custer, Carson Hocevar, and many more representing teams across the NASCAR Cup Series.

NASCAR Cup Series Technical Information

The NASCAR Cup Series continues to use the Next Gen car platform introduced in 2022. These cars feature standardized parts across all teams while maintaining manufacturer identity. The Next Gen cars create closer racing and more consistent competition throughout the field. Teams compete with sophisticated setups suited to the specific challenges of Chicagoland Speedway's 1.5-mile layout.

History of NASCAR at Chicagoland Speedway

Chicagoland Speedway first hosted NASCAR Cup Series racing in 2001, with Kevin Harvick winning the inaugural event. Harvick also captured the victory in 2002, establishing early dominance at the track. Tony Stewart holds the record for most wins at Chicagoland with three victories in 2004, 2007, and 2011. The track hosted the Cup Series continuously through 2019, with Alex Bowman earning the final victory before the venue's hiatus.

The track served multiple roles in the NASCAR schedule throughout its history. Early races occurred in July. From 2011 through 2017, Chicagoland opened the Cup Series playoffs. The race returned to a summer date in 2018 and 2019. The 2026 season marks the track's official return after the series took a break from the facility between 2020 and 2025.

What Makes This Race Special

The return of NASCAR Cup Series racing to the Chicago area represents a significant moment for fans in the region. Chicagoland Speedway's 1.5-mile configuration provides the type of racing that rewards both power and handling. The track has produced memorable moments, including the famous "Slide Job" battle between Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson in 2018. The venue's history of close finishes suggests competitive racing throughout the field.

eero serves as the title sponsor for this race, having previously sponsored NASCAR events at other venues. The NASCAR Foundation and Chicagoland Speedway partner to host a 50/50 raffle during the race weekend, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity. Families can take advantage of special youth pricing, with free tickets for children 12 and under for Friday and Saturday races, plus discounted youth tickets for Sunday's Cup Series event with adult purchase.

The Chicago Area Racing Experience

Joliet, Illinois provides easy access for fans throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding regions. The return of Cup Series racing to Chicagoland Speedway gives local fans the chance to see NASCAR's top drivers compete at a traditional oval track. The facility's configuration allows spectators clear views of the entire racing surface. The track's reputation for close competition and strategic racing makes this race an appealing option for both longtime fans and newcomers to NASCAR.

The eero 400 represents NASCAR's commitment to serving markets across the United States. Chicago area racing fans have waited several years for the Cup Series to return to Chicagoland Speedway. The 2026 race promises strong competition from a deep field of talented drivers and well-prepared teams, all racing on a track that has produced quality events throughout its NASCAR history.