NASCAR Chicago Weekend Schedule and Weather Forecast: Everything Fans Need to Know
· Yahoo Sports
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend for one of the most anticipated races of the summer, marking the series’ first trip back to the 1.5-mile oval in seven years.
Visit newsbetting.club for more information.
Along with the Cup Series, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series will also be in action, making for a packed three-day schedule beginning Friday, July 3.
Here’s everything fans need to know before heading to the track or tuning in from home.
Friday, July 3 Schedule
Friday is the busiest day of the weekend, featuring practice sessions for all three national series before the ARCA Menards Series opens the racing action that evening.
Friday schedule (all times ET):
- 2 p.m. — ARCA Menards Series practice
- 3:35 p.m. — ARCA Menards Series qualifying
- 4:30 p.m. — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series practice
- 6 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series practice
- 8 p.m. — ARCA Menards Series Ashley Furniture 150
Friday weather
The forecast calls for a hot afternoon with temperatures around 90 degrees. There is roughly a 30% chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms, with southwest winds around 5 to 10 mph. Any storms that develop could produce gusty winds, although much of the day should remain dry.
Saturday, July 4 Schedule
Championship weekend action ramps up on Independence Day with Cup qualifying before the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series takes center stage Saturday evening.
Saturday schedule (all times ET):
- 1:30 p.m. — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series qualifying
- 3 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series qualifying
- 5:30 p.m. — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race
Saturday weather
Saturday currently carries the highest rain chances of the weekend. Forecasts call for highs near 86 degrees with approximately a 75% to 80% chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Fans attending the track should be prepared for possible weather delays.
Sunday, July 5 Schedule
The weekend concludes Sunday evening with the NASCAR Cup Series returning to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019.
Sunday schedule (all times ET):
- 6 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series eero 400
Sunday weather
Sunday’s forecast is more favorable than Saturday’s but still includes a chance for scattered showers. Temperatures are expected to reach 83 degrees with roughly a 35% chance of afternoon showers before conditions improve later in the evening.
What to Watch This Weekend
The Chicago weekend opens the second round of NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge following last weekend’s opening round at Sonoma Raceway.
Beyond the tournament storyline, Chicagoland Speedway also returns to the Cup Series schedule for the first time since 2019, giving teams another variable during the push toward the Chase. With several drivers still searching for a victory to strengthen their postseason position, every point and every stage could prove critical as the regular season enters its second half.