CONCORD, N.C. - This weekend, Hendrick Motorsports and the NASCAR Cup Series return to the downtown metropolis of Chicago, Illinois, for the tour's second ever race on a street circuit.
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At 2.2 miles in length spread out across 12 turns, the track's layout is sure to bring close-quarters racing this weekend. Packed with several 90-degree turns and barriers on both sides of the track, there is no room for error when competing at this street course.
Also in action this weekend will be the No. 17 HendrickCars.com entry in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Behind the wheel will be Kyle Larson, who will be looking to back up his victory with the team at Circuit of The Americas in March. Since then, the team itself has found victory lane one other time with Chase Elliott, who took home the win at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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While Hendrick Motorsports was not victorious at Chicago in 2023, the team has earned earned 29 checkered flags on serpentine layouts. NASCAR Hall of Famer and team vice chairman Jeff Gordon leads the way with nine victories while Elliott's seven road course wins are the most among active drivers. Larson has five wins, while Tim Richmond earned three victories. William Byron has earned two road course wins while Geoff Bodine, Jimmie Johnson and Ricky Rudd each took home one trophy during their careers at Hendrick Motorsports on tracks of this type.
KEY NUMBERS TO KNOW FOR CHICAGO
Data provided by Racing Insights
Larson, No. 5 team
In what will be his 350th start in the Cup Series, Larson will take aim at winning a second consecutive road course race this weekend in Chicago. As the regular season points leader, Larson has showed tremendous speed in 2024 highlighted by leading the tour with three victories (tied with three other drivers), 207 stage points, eight top-five results and 755 laps led. His average finish of 12.28 is also the second-best among full-time competitors. Watch for Larson to improve on his top-five result from Chicago in 2023 this weekend.
Elliott, No. 9 team
In terms of average finish, Elliott's mark of 8.59 is nearly four positions better than the next closest full-time competitor (Tyler Reddick, 12.48). While the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts team has yet to go to victory lane on a road course in the Next Gen car, a strong top-five finish at Sonoma Raceway in June was a promising step for the group. Elliott has also showed an ability to adapt to new tracks — his seven road course wins have come at five different circuits. Keep an eye out for the No. 9 entry this Sunday to be in contention for the checkered flag.
Byron, No. 24 team
The driver of the No. 24 Relay Payments Chevrolet has finished inside the top-two spots in three of the last four races on serpentine layouts. Those four races included two victories, 108 laps led and an average starting position of 5.75. While the team has experienced tough results in the past few races, Byron's average finish of 13.53 is still good enough for sixth in the Cup Series. He'll aim to win another road course race this weekend.
Bowman, No. 48 team
While Bowman's career has not yet included a victory on a road course, his marks on tracks turning left and right are quite high. He's earned two career runner-up finishes and scored four top-five finishes in the Next Gen car on tracks of this nature. The Tucson, Arizona, native will look to earn his first road course victory this Sunday on the streets of Chicago.
Hendrick Motorsports
A driver from Hendrick Motorsports has won three of the last four road courses races in the Cup Series dating back to Byron's triumph at Watkins Glen last season. In fact, 14 of the group's 29 road course victories have come with the current driver lineup. The team will attempt to make it an even 30 wins by taking the checkered flag on Sunday.
DID YOU KNOW?
With 31 victories, Hendrick Motorsports leads all active Cup Series teams in terms of victories in the Midwest.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND TV COVERAGE
Saturday, July 6
10 a.m. ET: Practice - USA Network (Xfinity)
11 a.m. ET: Qualifying - USA Network (Xfinity)
12:30 p.m: Practice - USA Network (Cup)
1:30 p.m: Qualifying - USA Network (Cup)
In the Xfinity Series, Larson will be in Group A. For the Cup Series, Larson and Elliott will be in Group A with Byron and Bowman in Group B.
3:30 p.m. ET: Xfinity Series main event - NBC
Sunday, July 7
4:30 p.m. ET: Cup Series main event - NBC
STAGE LENGTHS (Xfinity)
Stage 1: Lap 15
Stage 2: Lap 30
End of Race: Lap 50
STAGE LENGTHS (Cup)
Stage 1: Lap 20
Stage 2: Lap 45
End of Race: Lap 75
WILL THE RACE BE ON THE RADIO?
Yes, listeners can find both events on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)
CAN I STREAM ONLINE?
Yes. Download the NBC Sports App for online coverage. Fans can also keep up with the action on X by following @TeamHendrick.