Joliet, IL – NASCAR is officially coming back to Chicagoland Speedway in 2026, marking the first time the national series will race on the Joliet oval since 2019. The 1.5-mile tri-oval will roar back to life July 4–5 with the Xfinity Series on Saturday and the Cup Series headlining Sunday’s Independence Day weekend showdown.
According to NASCAR officials, the event slots in as Round 2 of the 2026 In-Season Challenge, part of the TNT Sports broadcast schedule. The return fills a key Midwest market gap after the Chicago Street Race was dropped from the calendar for 2026.
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing development, said the facility requires only minor improvements before fans return. “Chicagoland is already in great shape. We’re making enhancements, but it’s largely Cup-ready,” Kennedy said. “Joliet has delivered some of the most competitive mile-and-a-half racing we’ve seen, and we’re excited to be back.”
Opened in 2001, Chicagoland Speedway has hosted 90 NASCAR national series races and is known for iconic moments—including the 2018 “slide job” finish between Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson. The last Cup race at the track was won by Alex Bowman on June 30, 2019.
The announcement ends a seven-year drought for the venue, which lost its Cup Series date following the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting scheduling priorities. NASCAR’s 2026 decision reflects a strategic push to maintain its presence in the Chicago region while celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Fans can expect full race weekend festivities, with updates to seating, camping, and fan access areas expected to be underway later this year.
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