NASCAR may be Returning to Chicagoland Speedway, and it Could be for the Championship Race

What’s Happening

Chicagoland Speedway, the 1.5-mile venue that hosted Cup Series events from 2001 to 2019, was dropped from the schedule in the 2020 season amidst COVID-19 concerns. It has been mostly inactive since then, with zero NASCAR races at the track. However, recent developments have raised speculation that the racetrack may return to the NASCAR schedule soon.

• Website Updates: The official Chicagoland Speedway website was recently refreshed to match the modern aesthetic used by other active NASCAR venues. Notably, it features a message reading “Check back soon for new events,” suggesting future scheduling announcements may be imminent.
• New Track Map and Features: A new layout map on the site includes a “Turn 4 Club” area, which was not previously advertised, implying recent infrastructure planning or upgrades.
• Inclusion in a Fan Poll: Chicagoland Speedway is officially listed as an option in a “Which track would you like to see host the championship race?” run by NASCAR, a poll allowing fans to vote for tracks they’d like to see as the finale, which does not mean it necessarily will. Its inclusion indicates NASCAR is at least gauging public interest in a potential return.

While no official statement has been issued by NASCAR or track operators, the rumor is backed by the fact that the current Chicago Street Course contract is unlikely to be renewed. With Chicago being a huge market for NASCAR, it is probable that they are looking to keep a race date within the city. NASCAR has also revitalized some of its long-unused racetracks for recent events, such as North Wilkesboro and Rockingham Speedway.

Would you like to see Chicagoland return to the NASCAR schedule? You can check out their website HERE. Let us know your thoughts on our Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.