Nascar news

• NASCAR Cup Series Starting Lineup: Where Every Driver Will Start at Chicagoland

  05-07-2026 03:16 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Denny Hamlin will lead the field to the green flag Sunday after winning the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in one of the closest qualifying sessions of the 2026 season.Hamlin turned a lap of 30.296 seconds (178.241 mph), edging Kyle Larson by just 0.001 seconds. Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski continued RFK Racing’s strong weekend by qualifying third and fourth, while Ty Gibbs completed the top five.Toyota placed five drivers inside the top eight, while reig
  
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• Andrew Jordan wins NASCAR Classic Race #2 as Kurt Busch podiums at Le Mans

  05-07-2026 19:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoAfter JC France's dramatic win in the first race of the weekend at the historic Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, the NASCAR stock cars from across the decades were back on track on Sunday.Driving the No. 15 PEAK Toyota Camry from 2013, Andrew Jordan rebounded after a heartbreaking loss in Race #1, where his car slowed to halt while leading on the final lap.Driving the car Clint Bowyer once piloted for Michael Waltrip Racing, Jordan came back with a vengeance to win Race #
  
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• NASCAR starting lineup for Cup Series race at Chicagoland in July 2026

  05-07-2026 16:14 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Joe Gibbs Racing will lead the NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup for the race at Chicagoland Speedway in July. Denny Hamlin won the pole for the 2026 eero 400 at Chicagoland this weekend. Kyle Larson will join Hamlin on the front row for Sunday evening's event. It is Hamlin's fourth pole position of the 2026 season.Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski will follow the two drivers on the second row. Most notably, Ryan Preece, Erik Jones, Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez, Corey Heim, Shane van Gisbergen
  
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• One Decision Could Decide Sunday’s NASCAR Race at Chicagoland

  05-07-2026 16:09 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Dark clouds rolled over Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, but the biggest storm facing NASCAR teams isn’t in the forecast.It’s the strategic gamble that could decide Sunday’s Cup Series race.Although Chicagoland hosted Cup Series races for nearly two decades before falling off the schedule after 2019, Sunday’s event marks the first time NASCAR’s Next Gen car will compete on the 1.5-mile oval. Seven years of aging pavement have transformed the racing surface, leaving
  
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• JC France wins wild NASCAR Classic race at Le Mans

  05-07-2026 07:39 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoAs part of the Le Mans Classic, NASCAR stock cars from across the decades are competing at the historic track, but it was fitting that a Camaro wrapped to look like the Garage 56 NASCAR entry -- and driven by a member of the founding France family -- found its way to Victory Lane.J.C. France, grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., drove a 2014 NASCAR Cup Chevrolet Camaro with the Garage 56 wrap to victory after misfortune befell the race leaders on Saturday.Andrew Jordan was
  
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• Elton Sawyer and Ben Kennedy Just Saved NASCAR’s Reputation With July 4th Brilliance

  05-07-2026 07:26 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas.For years, NASCAR has heard the same criticism from fans whenever rain interrupted a race: don’t wave the white flag too early.On Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway, NASCAR finally gave fans exactly what they had been asking for.After thunderstorms delayed the start of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Cuervo 300 by several hours, NASCAR officials stuck with their original plan to race on Independence Day instead of pushing the event to Sunday morning.
  
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• Brandon Jones denies Chase Elliott in NASCAR O'Reilly overtime to win at Chicagoland

  05-07-2026 07:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoIn NASCAR overtime for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, Brandon Jones passed Cup star Chase Elliott for the win. Racing on older tires, he slid up in front of Elliott. Elliott tried to fight back, running up against the wall to pick up momentum before sending it under Jones into the final corner, but Jones had the run to the line.That was the eighth victory of Jones' career, delivering Joe Gibbs Racing its third win of the 2026 season."I had to earn th
  
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• Chase Elliott Just Choked to an O’Reilly Lifer at Chicagoland

  05-07-2026 07:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Photo Credit: Jerome Miron.The fireworks had long faded by the time the checkered flag finally flew early Sunday morning, but Chase Elliott still left Chicagoland Speedway without the trophy.After weather pushed the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race well past midnight on Independence Day, Brandon Jones outdueled Elliott in an overtime restart to steal the victory, leaving NASCAR’s reigning Cup Series star to settle for second in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.Elliott spent much of
  
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• What time is the NASCAR race today? TV schedule, channel, live stream for Chicagoland

  05-07-2026 06:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  What time is the NASCAR race today? TV schedule, channel, live stream for Chicagoland originally appeared on The Sporting News.Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.After a thrilling road race in Sonoma last weekend, NASCAR will now make its way to the Windy City for the eero 400.Hosting the Cup Series for the first time since 2019, the Chicagoland Speedway is ready to host a Fourth of July weekend race that is sure to excite. The 1.5-mile track in Chicago's suburbs is sim
  
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• Denny Hamlin wins pole position for NASCAR’s return to Chicagoland Speedway

  05-07-2026 05:57 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Denny Hamlin has the pole position for a NASCAR Cup Series race. Again.Hamlin had a lap time of 30.296 seconds at 178.241 mph on Saturday in qualifying for the first Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in seven years. It was just enough to edge Kyle Larson in second at 30.297 seconds and 178.235 mph in his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.“We got very fortunate that the last 12 cars had full sun, 100% sun (over the track),” Hamlin said. “The last few
  
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• 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Pit Stall Assignments: Where Every Driver’s Team Will Pit at Chicagoland

  05-07-2026 03:54 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The starting lineup is officially set for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, and teams now know where they’ll be making every pit stop during the eero 400.Following Saturday’s qualifying session, NASCAR released the official pit stall assignments for all 38 drivers. While qualifying determines the starting grid, pit selection is another critical advantage, especially at a 1.5-mile intermediate track where green-flag pit cycles often shape the outcome of th
  
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• Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell Hit With NASCAR Inspection Penalties Before Chicagoland Race

  05-07-2026 03:32 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Saturday qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway wasn’t the end of NASCAR’s workday.Following pre-race inspection, NASCAR penalized the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of Kyle Larson and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Michael McDowell after both teams failed inspection multiple times.While both teams lost key personnel for the remainder of the weekend, the consequences were far more severe for McDowell, whose qualifying session never even began.Michael McDowell Will
  
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• Jones holds off Elliott for O'Reilly Series win in Chicagoland thriller

  05-07-2026 03:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Joe Gibbs Racing driver Brandon Jones held off JR Motorsports’ Chase Elliott in NASCAR Overtime to win a late-night thriller in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.The driver of the No. 20 Toyota claimed his first victory of the 2026 season on a long night at the 1.5-mile Joliet track after the start of the Cuervo 300 was delayed nearly five hours due to inclement weather.RELATED: Unofficial results | At-track photos: ChicagolandElliott, Jesse Love, Brent Crew
  
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• Christopher Bell approaching complete wrist recovery but not there yet

  05-07-2026 01:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoChristopher Bell continues to make progress with his fractured left wrist and has even replaced his cast in exchange for a split this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.He is fresh off a top five last week at Sonoma Raceway, no doubt one of his biggest challenges since his injurious crash at Michigan International Speedway, and views a pathway to a complete recovery.“I mean, the pain level has been low ever since the beginning but I would say my ability to drive the car is the
  
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• Chicagoland is a new, very jumpy race track for NASCAR NextGen cars

  05-07-2026 00:53 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoFor all intents and purposes, Chicagoland Speedway is a new racetrack for this iteration of the NASCAR Cup Series and it’s very much an open question about how it will race on Sunday night.It’s a new track, not because of how much it has aged since its last race weekend in 2019, but because the NextGen car is such a radically different platform compared to those that came before it.Independent rear suspension
  Wider low-profile tire 
  Sealed underbody 
  Rear di
  
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• NASCAR Cup Series set for first race at Chicagoland Speedway since 2019

  05-07-2026 00:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — It has been seven years since NASCAR last raced at Chicagoland Speedway. Seven years of Midwest heat, rain and snow covering the aging asphalt at the 1.5-mile track. That last weekend also was before NASCAR moved into its Next Gen cars.The Cup Series returns to Chicagoland on Sunday, and what was old is new again.“It is definitely like learning a new racetrack,” Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe said.NASCAR ran 19 Cup races on the D-shaped oval in Joliet
  
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• McDowell, Larson Hit With Pre-Race Penalties Due To Inspection Issues

  05-07-2026 00:38 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Craig White | Racing America On SIThere was drama for two NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams on Saturday afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway. Kyle Larson, who scored the runner-up qualifying position, and Michael McDowell, have been assessed race weekend penalties following multiple pre-race inspection failures ahead of Sunday's eero 400.McDowell's No. 71 Spire Motorsports team were handed stiffer penalties as their car failed pre-race inspection three times on Saturday afternoon, which caused NA
  
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• Denny Hamlin earns pole position for eero 400 in NASCAR’s return to Joliet racetrack. ‘I’m a Chicago master.’

  04-07-2026 23:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Denny Hamlin is atop the NASCAR Cup Series points standings for the first time all season.If that wasn’t enough reason for Hamlin to head into Fourth of July weekend in a celebratory mood, the series’ return to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet for the first time since 2019 is definitely a welcome one.Hamlin won the Cup Series race in 2015 and has finished in the top 10 in five of his last six races in Joliet. Now, he’s on the pole for Sunday’s eero 400, adding to his local
  
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• NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Chicagoland delayed by rain

  04-07-2026 23:08 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The start time for the Cuervo 300NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on July 4 at Chicagoland Speedway is being delayed for weather.Rain fell on the 1.5-mile speedway about an hour before the scheduled green flag in Joliet, Illinois, as a part of a storm moving in from the west. The track surface will need to be dried, and any storms with lightning will need to move through the area before the race can begin at Chicagoland.No start time target has been given by NASCAR.Connor Zilisch is on the
  
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• Hamlin Captures Fourth Cup Series Pole Of Season By 0.001 Seconds

  04-07-2026 22:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Denny Hamlin celebrates his pole-winning run for Sunday's eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. | Craig White | Racing America On SIDenny Hamlin, who assumed the NASCAR Cup Series point lead for the first time this season last weekend at Sonoma Raceway following power steering issues for Tyler Reddick, encountered more good luck on Saturday afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway, and the end result was his fourth pole position of the season.Hamlin, who had a non-favorable qualifying order draw after a su
  
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• Denny Hamlin wins pole position for NASCAR's return to Chicagoland Speedway

  04-07-2026 22:32 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Denny Hamlin has the pole position for a NASCAR Cup Series race. Again.Hamlin had a lap time of 30.296 seconds and a best speed of 178.241 mph on Saturday in qualifying for the first Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in seven years. It was just enough to edge Kyle Larson in second at 30.297 seconds and 178.235 mph in his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.It was Hamlin's third straight pole on an oval track. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has four poles this season in his
  
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• Ryan Preece felt like NASCAR TV pried into a personal exchange over his radio

  04-07-2026 22:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoRyan Preece felt like he was having a private conversation with his crew during Cup Series practice on Friday at Chicagoland Speedway but the television crew aired out his frustrations about a NASCAR mandated safety change.“I’m going to argue with NASCAR about this adjustment that they want and I don’t. This headrest is a pain in the [expletive]. It’s knocking my [expletive] head everywhere. Sorry, I’m not trying to swear. I’m just absolutely a
  
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• Michael McDowell faces multiple penalties after three inspection failures

  04-07-2026 22:12 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoThe weekend has gone sideways for the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet of Michael McDowell, and not on the track.McDowell's car failed inspection three different times, which means they have several penalties coming their way.First of all, the car chief has been ejected for the remainder of the race weekend. Secondly, they were not permitted to take part in qualifying, and will start last (38th) in Sunday's NASCAR Cup race.However, it doesn't stop there. Once the green flag fli
  
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• Michael McDowell and Kyle Larson penalized, car chiefs ejected after inspection failures

  04-07-2026 22:12 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoThe weekend has gone sideways for the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet of Michael McDowell, and not on the track.McDowell's car failed inspection three different times, which means they have several penalties coming their way.First of all, No. 71 car chief Travis Young has been ejected for the remainder of the race weekend. Secondly, they were not permitted to take part in qualifying, and will start last (38th) in Sunday's NASCAR Cup race.However, it doesn't stop there. Once th
  
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• NASCAR Starting Lineup: Qualifying Results for the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway

  04-07-2026 22:09 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Denny Hamlin has earned pole position for the eero 400, which will take place on Sunday, July 5, at Chicagoland Speedway. It is the first time that NASCAR will race the track since 2019. That last time, Alex Bowman won in the No. 88. Hamlin will be joined by rival Kyle Larson on the front row. RFK Racing follows in 3rd and 4th via Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski. Ty Gibbs nabbed 5th place. Toyota proved strong again, earning 5 of the top-7 qualifying spots. However, neither of those 5 drivers
  
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• NASCAR Cup Chicagoland starting lineup: Denny Hamlin beats Larson to pole by 0.001s

  04-07-2026 22:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoDenny Hamlin earned pole position for the NASCAR Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway, securing his 52nd career pole and his fourth of the 2026 season.It was a nail-bitter for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, with Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports nearly matching Hamlin on his own qualifying lap. He will start on the outside of the front row, just 0.001s slower than Hamlin.The RFK Racing duo of Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski will start third and fourth, respectively. It's then
  
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• NASCAR Starting Lineup for Sunday’s Race: eero 400 Lineup, Cup Series Qualifying Results at Chicagoland

  04-07-2026 21:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The NASCAR Cup Series is back at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend for the first time since 2019. Following practice on Friday, the field of 38 Cup Series drivers hit the track for qualifying on Saturday to determine the eero 400 starting grid.Let’s take you right into the NASCAR starting lineup for Sunday’s race at Chicagoland following Cup Series qualifying results today. Further below you can find the eero 400 starting grid.Related: Latest Buzz on NASCAR’s Long-Term Plans fo
  
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• Ty Gibbs moves on from Sonoma strategy decision

  04-07-2026 21:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoIn real time, immediately after the race last weekend at Sonoma Raceway, the disappointment from Ty Gibbs was palpable.He finished third, but after sweeping both stages it was a fair expectation to have wanted more. Shane Van Gisbergen won but earned track position by giving up points in exchange for track position in flipping both stages.As it turns out, SVG scored the most points anyway in winning the race but Gibbs scored the second most in finishing third. The decision made w
  
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• Racing Insights: Will experience be key to Chicagoland success?

  04-07-2026 20:49 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  After spending the last three years racing on the streets of downtown Chicago, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Chicagoland Speedway in nearby Joliet for the first time since 2019.With this serving as the first race for the Next Gen car at Chicagoland, expect drivers to face challenges from the track’s aged and bumpy nature while navigating multiple grooves from the bottom to ripping the fence. Several drivers need a strong showing at a crucial point in Sunday’s eero 400 (6 p.m. ET,
  
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• Christopher Bell shifts from cast to splint as he continues to heal from wrist injury

  04-07-2026 20:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  JOLIET, Ill. — Christopher Bell has gotten his left wrist out of a cast and into a splint ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.The lingering outcome of his June 7 crash at Michigan International Speedway has led to discomfort rather than pain as his fractured wrist continues to heal.“The pain level has been low ever since the beginning, but I would say my ability to drive the car is the same as what it has been,” Bell said Saturday at Chicagola
  
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