The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019 for the eero 400 on July 5.
18 drivers entered into this weekend’s race ran in the last Cup race at Chicagoland in 2019, but the Next Gen car has not run at the track before.
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Still, it’s a 1.5-mile track, and the field will search for grip up and down the grooves.
Alex Bowman won the last event in 2019, and he, Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin are all former winners.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway:
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NASCAR predictions for Chicagoland Cup Series race: Here’s who wins the eero 400
Mike Organ’s pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
After going against the favorite the last two weeks, I can’t afford it three weeks in a row — so I’m going with Hamlin to win his fifth race of the season.
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Nick Gray’s pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Hendrick Motorsports has been treading water so far this summer, but I have a feeling about Larson this week. This winless streak ends soon.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Logano has seven top-10 finishes at Chicagoland. But let’s be honest — it’s been more than a minute since he’s raced there and been strong anywhere else this year. Logano needs a strong race and hopefully that experience pays off this weekend.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Chicagoland predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race
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