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NASCAR’s $4 Million Chicagoland Comeback Sparks Cup Star’s Urgent Warning: Don’t Ruin Our Track!

David Castro by David Castro
August 21, 2025
in Motorsports, NASCAR
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
NASCAR’s $4 Million Chicagoland Comeback Sparks Cup Star’s Urgent Warning: Don’t Ruin Our Track!
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NASCAR’s Chicagoland Comeback: A $4 Million Gamble with a Star Driver’s Dire Warning!

Get ready to rev those engines because NASCAR is bringing the thunder back to Chicagoland Speedway in 2026! This iconic 1.5-mile oval in Joliet, Illinois, is finally making its grand return to the NASCAR Cup Series after a long hiatus since 2019. Mark your calendars for July 5, when the excitement kicks into high gear, followed by the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on July 4. This is more than just a race; it’s a resurrection of what many fans have sorely missed!

As the Midwest gears up for this thrilling comeback, NASCAR’s Executive VP Ben Kennedy is optimistic, declaring that the track is “relatively Cup-ready.” However, with a staggering $4 million earmarked for upgrades, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Fans are buzzing about the potential enhancements, which promise better amenities and improved operations, but the details are still shrouded in mystery. What will this transformation mean for the racing experience?

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But not everyone is on board with the impending upgrades. Chase Briscoe, a prominent Cup Series driver known for his candidness, is sounding the alarm. His urgent plea regarding track surfaces has sent shockwaves through the community, especially following Iowa Speedway’s disastrous 2025 repave. Briscoe’s warning? “Please don’t do the Iowa repave.” He’s drawing parallels between Iowa’s troublesome surface and the potential fate of Chicagoland.

Briscoe’s concerns stem from his own experience at Iowa, where he lamented the track’s transition from a multi-groove battleground to a slick, one-lane disaster. After finishing a frustrating second there, he expressed, “I wish they’d repave this place all the way to the wall… It’s definitely really difficult to pass.” His fears resonate with fans on social media, where many echo his sentiments. One Reddit user passionately remarked, “If they are dead set on repaving Chicagoland, then we might as well not return there at all because the racing product will be putrid.”

The impending renovations could strip away the track’s gritty charm that drivers crave, transforming it into a monotonous single-groove slog that could suffocate the thrilling on-track action fans have come to love. Briscoe joins the chorus of voices urging for upgrades to focus on enhancing the facilities—think better grandstands, improved parking, and perhaps even Wi-Fi—rather than risking the very essence of what makes Chicagoland special.

The stakes are monumental. Chicagoland Speedway has a storied history of electrifying races from 2001 to 2019, showcasing legendary drivers like Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart mastering its challenging surface. A repave could signify a commitment to the future, but if it results in a track as unpassable as Iowa’s, it could alienate the very fans NASCAR is desperate to win back. Briscoe’s passionate appeal serves as a clarion call to preserve the raw, competitive spirit that defines Chicagoland.

In the midst of this debate, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) continues to cultivate a culture of excellence among their drivers, fueling the competitive spirit that keeps them hungry for victory. Driver Christopher Bell recently shared insights into JGR’s unique celebration ritual—a visual reminder of triumphs where every victory is honored with a banner hung in their shop. “There’s not really a prize so to speak of, but my goal was to get some #20 banners hung up in there,” Bell explained, reflecting on his journey from scarcity to abundance in accolades.

With 12 wins under his belt, Bell’s contributions to the banner wall are significant, standing alongside JGR legends like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. This drive for visibility and recognition aligns perfectly with Briscoe’s plea for a true racing surface at Chicagoland, where skill can shine and drivers can battle it out for glory.

As the countdown to Chicagoland’s revival begins, all eyes will be on the track and the monumental changes ahead. Will NASCAR heed the warnings of its star drivers, or will they risk turning a beloved venue into just another cookie-cutter track? The clock is ticking, and the world is watching. The $4 million question remains: Can NASCAR deliver a racing experience that lives up to the legacy of Chicagoland, or will they let it slip through their fingers? Buckle up, because this is one thrilling ride you won’t want to miss!

Tags: 2021-nascar-cup-series-championshipchase-briscoe-2joe-gibbs-racingKevin Harvicktony-stewart
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