NASCAR Plans 2026 Return to Joliet Chicagoland Speedway

NASCAR is set to return to the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, for the 2026 Fourth of July weekend, marking its first event at the track since 2019 after a seven-year hiatus. The weekend will feature races from the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series, drawing fans back to the 1.5-mile oval track as a replacement for the Chicago Street Race, which will be paused in 2026. NASCAR executives emphasized the competitive nature of mile-and-a-half tracks like Chicagoland and expressed confidence that the return would reignite fan enthusiasm in the Chicago area, which remains a top market for NASCAR. The Chicago Street Race, held downtown for three years, has been put on hold to explore new scheduling options and improve operational efficiency, with hopes to return in 2027. The 2026 NASCAR schedule also includes a new street race in San Diego and other venue changes, such as moving the All-Star race to Dover and ending the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Overall, the shift back to oval racing at Chicagoland reflects NASCAR’s strategic focus on logistical practicality and fan demand while maintaining engagement in key markets.