The Chicagoland Speedway is back and awaiting fan arrival. Yes, the 1.5-mile oval, which hasn’t been active since 2019, is back on the schedule for the Independence Day weekend.
The track hosts a Goodyear tire test on April 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Invitations have been sent to racers from the upper tier of stock car racing.
A total of six teams will take part, three from the Cup Series and three from O’Reilly. The tire test of April 21 will mark the first on-track activity since 2019. Goodyear will use the test to collect data and prepare tire compounds for race conditions expected later in the summer.
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Cup Series drivers featured in the session are Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson, while Justin Allgaier, Nick Sanchez, and Brandon Jones will represent the O’Reilly lineup.
The session is planned keeping the engineers’ best interests in mind. Goodyear wants to adjust tire performance for speed and durability through feedback from the drivers.
Two different series drivers will provide a broader understanding on how the surface will react to different car styles. The best part is that the fans are allowed to watch this practice run.
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The gates to the grandstands will stand open in the morning, and fans can enter to watch their favorite drivers run laps and leave behind tire residue. Between each session, there will be fan activities and giveaways. It will be a great full-day experience for fans.
Goodyear’s event will serve both technical and promotional purposes. It can be viewed more like a reintroduction program where many fans will get a chance to experience the legacy of the track.
In August 2025, NASCAR Midwest VP Pat Warren said, “We’re thrilled to bring NASCAR racing and the Cup Series’ Next Gen race car to Chicagoland Speedway for what promises to be an incredible Independence Day weekend celebration. There is a history and tradition of great NASCAR racing at Chicagoland Speedway, so we look forward to building on the tremendous fan momentum throughout the entire the state of Illinois.”
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The track ran successful races from 2001, and when the COVID-19 wave hit, all racing activities were suspended throughout the country. Now that the track is blooming into action, we know one driver who will be very happy about it.
Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevy driver Alex Bowman recorded his first career win in the 2019 Camping World 400 in Joliet. With his 2026 season going fairly rough, a win at a familiar track will help boost his morale and might turn things around for him.
