HISTORY OF THE CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY

Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5-mile tri-oval located in Joliet, Illinois, southwest of Chicago. The track opened in 2001 and quickly became one of NASCAR’s most recognisable modern venues thanks to its wide racing surface, progressive banking, and multiple competitive lines through every corner. Built as part of a major motorsports development project, the speedway has hosted top-tier stock car, open-wheel, and regional racing categories, establishing itself as a key circuit in the Midwest.

From its very first NASCAR Cup Series event in 2001, Chicagoland earned a reputation for close finishes and strong side-by-side racing, especially during long green-flag runs. The layout allows drivers to search for grip across the full width of the track, often leading to strategic battles and dramatic late-race restarts. For many years, the venue held a mid-summer Cup date before later becoming an important stop in the early stages of the NASCAR Playoffs.

Beyond the Cup Series, the track has welcomed the NASCAR Xfinity Series (now NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, and major IndyCar events in its early years. Several notable drivers have claimed milestone victories here, and the speedway has produced memorable championship-defining moments, especially during its tenure as a playoff opener.

Although the NASCAR schedule has evolved over time, Chicagoland Speedway remains widely regarded as one of the best 1.5-mile configurations ever built–favoured by drivers for its racing characteristics and by fans for its clear views, large grandstands, and easy Midwest accessibility.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series race marks the long-awaited return of top-level stock car racing to Chicagoland Speedway, which last hosted a Cup event in 2019. After several seasons away from the schedule, the comeback has generated strong anticipation among fans and teams alike. The track’s reputation for competitive racing and its importance within the Midwest market make its reappearance a major highlight of the 2026 calendar.