NASCAR will return to Chicagoland Speedway with cars back on track for the first time since 2019. The 1.5-mile oval will host a Goodyear tire test on April 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The session will feature Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson from the Cup Series.
They will share the track with Justin Allgaier, Nick Sanchez, and Brandon Jones from the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The test is free and open to fans, giving early access to top-level NASCAR action. This session signals the start of the track’s return to major competition after several years without national series racing events.
Goodyear Tire Test Marks First On-Track Action Since 2019
The April 21 session will mark the first on-track activity at Chicagoland Speedway since 2019. Goodyear will use the test to collect data and prepare tire compounds for race conditions expected later in the summer. Teams will run multiple laps to measure tire wear, grip levels, and long-run consistency on the 1.5-mile surface.
Six teams will take part in the session. The three Cup Series drivers will provide feedback based on experience at similar intermediate tracks. Their input helps Goodyear adjust tire performance for speed and durability. The three Xfinity Series drivers will add more data from a different car style, giving engineers a broader understanding of how the surface reacts across multiple series.
Track officials will open the gates in the morning, allowing fans to enter and watch from the grandstands. Organizers plan to run activities and giveaways between sessions, creating a full-day event around the on-track testing. The test serves both technical and promotional purposes as NASCAR begins to reintroduce the venue to fans and teams.
NASCAR Test Prepares Teams for July Race Weekend
The tire test plays a key role in preparation for the scheduled race weekend from July 3 to July 5. That weekend will begin with an ARCA Menards Series event on July 3, followed by the Xfinity Series race on July 4. The weekend will conclude with the NASCAR Cup Series race on July 5.
Chicagoland Speedway last hosted a Cup Series race in 2019 before it was removed from the schedule. NASCAR then introduced a street race in downtown Chicago, which ran for three seasons. In August 2025, officials confirmed the return to the Joliet oval, bringing the series back to a traditional intermediate track.
The April test gives teams a chance to study track conditions ahead of the July events. It allows engineers to adjust setups based on tire behavior and surface grip. Drivers also gain valuable track time, helping them prepare for race conditions they have not experienced at this venue in several years.
For Xfinity Series drivers, the session offers early exposure before their points race the day before the Cup event. This added track time can help teams refine setups and improve performance during the race weekend.
NASCAR’s return to Chicagoland Speedway restores a key stop in the Midwest. The region has a long history with stock car racing and remains an important market for the sport. Tickets for the July race weekend are already available, including single-day and multi-day options for fans attending.
With the April 21 tire test approaching, teams will begin gathering data while fans get their first live look at NASCAR action at the track in several years. The session sets the stage for a full return in July.
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