NASCAR at Chicagoland Speedway for Camping World 400

Posted on June 27, 2019
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 400
JOLIET, IL – JULY 01: Paul Menard, driver of the #21 Menards/Sylvania Ford, and Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 PPG Ford, lead the field to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 1, 2018 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be just south of Chicago in Joliet, IL this weekend for the Camping World 400.

The Chicagoland Speedway is similar to other tracks on the circuit. However, since the first race at the track in 2001 drivers have found it has some distinctive nuances. Notes from other tracks can help, but relying on those notes alone will likely get you in trouble.

Here is the data for the track and race that all teams and drivers will be facing.

Chicagoland Speedway Data
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 18 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 18 degrees
Banking/Tri-Oval: 11 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,400 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,700 feet

Camping World 400 Data
Season Race #: 17 of 36 (06-30-19)
Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 80 Laps (each)
Final Stage: 107 Laps

Several drivers seem to just have a knack for getting around the Chicagoland Speedway. Six active drivers have a driver rating over 100 at the track.

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Chicago
Chase Elliott …………………………. 111.4
Jimmie Johnson …………………….. 110.2
Kyle Busch ……………………………. 107.8
Kyle Larson …………………………… 101.9
Kevin Harvick ………………………… 101.1
Brad Keselowski ……………………. 101.1
Martin Truex Jr. ………………………. 95.6
Joey Logano …………………………… 91.6
Denny Hamlin …………………………. 89.6
Kurt Busch ……………………………… 89.2
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2018 races (14 total) among active drivers at Chicagoland Speedway.

There have been 18 NASCAR Cup Series races at Chicagoland. During those races, six active drivers have been able to make their way to Victory Lane at the track.

Kyle Busch – 2 Wins (including this race in 2018)
Brad Keselowski – 2 Wins
Kevin Harvick – 2 Wins
Martin Truex Jr. – 2 Wins
Denny Hamlin – 1 Win
Ryan Newman – 1 Win

There are some veteran drivers and young drivers that have great driver ratings, but no wins at Chicagoland yet. Will this be the year Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Larson or another driver gets that first win at Chicagoland?

Will one of the previous winners at the track add to their total?

We will find out when the green flag drops Sunday, July 30th at 2 PM central time (3 PM eastern time) to start the Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

By: Buck Stevens

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