NASCAR Cup Series returns to Chicagoland Speedway for July 2026 weekend in Joliet
NASCAR will bring the Cup Series back to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet for the 2026 Fourth of July weekend, with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the ARCA Menards Series also scheduled to race in Joliet.
The ARCA Menards Series race is set for Friday, July 3, followed by the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event on Saturday, July 4, and the Cup Series race on Sunday, July 5. Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy called the announcement “a fantastic homecoming for Joliet and the entire region.”
Chicagoland last hosted a NASCAR Cup Series race in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic paused operations at the track. Chicago’s first NASCAR street race occurred in 2023, and NASCAR said last month it would not return to the city for 2026 as it explored a new race date and aimed to optimize operational efficiency, with the goal of bringing the Chicago Street Race back in 2027.
This move to Joliet provides a marquee July 4 weekend for fans and could offer a meaningful economic boost for the region, while maintaining NASCAR’s presence across multiple series at a single event weekend.
What this means for Joliet and NASCAR
– A return of top-level stock car racing to Chicagoland for a July 4th weekend after more than a decade.
– A three-race slate in Joliet, increasing fan engagement and tourism over a single weekend.
– Chicago’s street race plans continue separately, with a targeted return in 2027 as NASCAR adjusts its schedule and venues.
Summary: Joliet will host three NASCAR events over July 3-5, 2026, marking the Cup Series’ return to Chicagoland since 2019 and positioning Joliet as a key summer destination for NASCAR, while Chicago’s street race plans push toward a 2027 revival. Positive momentum for regional fans and the sport alike.