Getty

Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson speak after a NASCAR Cup Series race, two of the drivers who participated in the Chicagoland Speedway tire test.

NASCAR took a significant step toward a potential return to Chicagoland Speedway this week.

For the first time since 2019, Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series teams were back on track at the 1.5-mile oval for a two-day Goodyear tire test — a key evaluation that could shape the track’s future on the NASCAR calendar.

The April 21–22 test marked the first time NASCAR stock cars have turned laps at Chicagoland in nearly five years. The NASCAR circuit will return for an action-packed weekend at the raceway in July.

First Laps in Years Bring Chicagoland Back Into Focus

The test featured several high-profile drivers, including Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Justin Allgaier and Brandon Jones.

Chicagoland Speedway was a fixture on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule from 2001 through 2019 before being removed during a period of schedule shifts and pandemic-era changes. That all changed, however, for the 2026 season.

Now, with cars back on track, the facility is once again part of the conversation.

Drivers React to Chicagoland Return

Drivers immediately took notice of both the atmosphere and the potential of the track’s return.

“I think freshness of the schedule is always good,” Larson said. “Seeing the crowd in the stands just for yesterday’s practice was awesome. I would imagine the crowd would be big for this first time back.”

The early reaction reflects what Chicagoland has long represented — a proven intermediate track capable of producing competitive racing, especially as its surface continues to age.

Surface and Tire Wear Key Focus of Goodyear Test

The primary goal of the test was to evaluate tire wear and performance on Chicagoland’s aging racing surface.

The track has historically been known for developing multiple grooves, allowing drivers to search for grip and run different lines — a characteristic that has become increasingly valuable as NASCAR continues refining its intermediate-track package.

After several years without racing, teams were closely monitoring how the surface has evolved and how it might perform under current conditions.

Justin Allgaier Crash Highlights Unknowns

The test also included a reminder of the challenges that come with returning to a track that hasn’t hosted NASCAR competition in years.

Justin Allgaier suffered a hard crash during the session after an apparent tire issue sent his No. 7 Chevrolet into the wall in Turn 4, ending his day early.

Allgaier was able to walk away from the incident, but the crash underscored the unknowns teams face when returning to a track with evolving conditions.

What This Means for Chicagoland’s Future

The test is widely viewed as a key step in evaluating whether Chicagoland Speedway could return as a points-paying race in the future.

Located in Joliet, Illinois, the track served as a major Midwest stop for nearly two decades and remains a viable option as NASCAR continues to assess its schedule and venue rotation.

With strong infrastructure and a history of competitive racing, Chicagoland presents a compelling case for a return — particularly as the sport balances new venues with established tracks.

Final Takeaway

After years off the schedule, Chicagoland Speedway is back in the spotlight.

The early signs from this week’s test — from driver feedback to on-track activity — suggest the track still has a role to play in NASCAR’s future.

And this certainly gives fans something to look forward to for the upcoming July race weekend at the track.