June 30, 2019 - Joliet, Illinois , USA: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams take to the track for the Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois .
June 30, 2019 - Joliet, Illinois , USA: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams take to the track for the Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois .
Two swords cannot be in one sheath. But in NASCAR’s Chicago case, they probably could.
Until now, the conversation of NASCAR in Chicago was centered around one simple understanding: If Chicagoland has returned, then the Chicago Street Race would be absent from the calendar and vice versa. But Dale Jr has just teased that this may not necessarily be the case.
On this week’s Bless Your ‘Hardt episode, Dale Jr shared an update he received about both the upcoming Chicagoland race as well as the future of Chicago in NASCAR.
“I got word that it will likely be a sellout this weekend and I also got word that they (NASCAR) are looking to go back (to Chicagoland) even though the Chicago Street Course has been teased to return,” Junior said on the podcast.
NASCAR removed the Chicago Street Course from the 2026 schedule after it completed its three-year run from 2023–2025. Since then, there have been talks between NASCAR and Chicago officials about its possible return in 2027. But the main concern has been its date.
Jul 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view as fans watch the Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Race. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
Jul 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view as fans watch the Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Race. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
The race that takes place on the Independence Day weekend has been a huge logistical strain on downtown Chicago, which must plan street closures, parking, etc. on one of the busiest holiday weekends.
On the other hand, Chicagoland is coming back after seven long years. In fact, until Tuesday, Dale Jr was worried about Chicagoland’s future when he heard talks about the street course’s return.
"I'm nervous. We haven't even gotten [Chicagoland] back yet and we've already lost it," he had said on his Dale Jr Download.
But as he hints, things could change now, and fans could possibly witness two NASCAR races in the Windy City. Nonetheless, as of now, aside from Junior’s words, there’s no update from NASCAR on this.
Chicagoland’s stormy weather cancels O’Reilly qualifying
Due to the ongoing storm in Chicago, the qualifying for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, the Cuervo 300, that was originally set for 1 p.m. ET on July 4, has been canceled. The O’Reilly practice session will take its place instead, as reported by Frontstretch.
This means that according to NASCAR’s qualifying metric scores, Connor Zilisch takes the pole in the JR Motorsports No. 1 Chevrolet.
According to AccuWeather, there’s a 90 percent precipitation chance on Friday. But Saturday looks worse with a 99 percent rain prediction. Sunday should be comparatively better with temperatures ranging from 87 to 65 degrees with a 55 percent precipitation chance.
Interestingly, seven years ago when NASCAR last raced at Chicagoland, the rains had red-flagged the race for more than three hours in just 11 laps into the start. Let’s hope it doesn’t welcome the garage the same way this weekend.
You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!
Written by
Suyashdeep Sason
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason