Carson Hocevar urges NASCAR return to Chicagoland Speedway after a viral video from his helicopter flyover sparked passionate discussion. The NASCAR Cup Series driver posted aerial footage of Chicagoland Speedway, reigniting speculation and fan excitement regarding a possible comeback for the historic racetrack, which has not held a Cup race since 2019.
Fan Reactions Intensify Calls for Chicagoland Comeback
The video captured by Carson Hocevar and shared on social media immediately drew the attention of NASCAR enthusiasts. Many voiced strong opinions about the potential benefits of returning to Chicagoland, especially with current vehicle technology. As one fan stated,
“Absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t be racing there next year or whenever the street race has run (it’s) course,”
—fan. Another added,
“Chicagoland with Next Gen car would feed families.”
—fan
Supporters continued to express confusion over the current NASCAR schedule, with one writing,
“With this particular car, it makes no sense why they’re not racing there. Find a [different] street course.”
—fan These comments reflect ongoing frustration and hope among the fanbase, who miss seeing elite races at the mile-and-a-half oval in Joliet, Illinois.
History of Chicagoland Speedway in NASCAR
Chicagoland Speedway opened its doors in 2001, quickly becoming a staple on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit. Legendary drivers like Kevin Harvick, who won the first two races held there, and Alex Bowman, victor in the last Cup event in 2019, are closely associated with the track. NASCAR intended to return in 2020, but pandemic precautions forced the event to move to Darlington Raceway, interrupting a long-standing tradition.
Chicagoland Versus Chicago Street Course
Currently, NASCAR’s presence in the Chicago region comes through the downtown street course, rather than the purpose-built oval in Joliet. However, the contract for the Chicago street race is set to expire after this year, and it’s uncertain whether NASCAR will renew for 2026 and beyond. This opens up possibilities for Chicagoland Speedway to take center stage once again.
Official Statements and Insights on the Future
During the 2020 realignment, Chicagoland Speedway president Scott Paddock commented,
“The difficult decision to realign our race events was a combination of where we fell on the schedule, proximity to NASCAR’s teams and the safety and well-being of our community and larger NASCAR industry,”
—Scott Paddock, Chicagoland Speedway president. He added,
“We will miss the roar of the engines at Chicagoland Speedway this season, but we will be rooting for and supporting our NASCAR colleagues at Darlington Raceway as competition returns on Sunday, May 17.”
—Scott Paddock, Chicagoland Speedway president
Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic analyzed the situation earlier this year, noting,
“Looking at oval options, a return to the Chicagoland Speedway certainly makes sense for multiple reasons,”
—Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic. He emphasized the advantages,
“Although the track is located in Joliet, Illinois, it is still close enough to Chicago for NASCAR to maintain a presence in the United States’ third-largest market. That’s key. And Chicagoland, at a mile-and-a-half and with a worn surface, is an ideal fit for the Next Gen car, so the likelihood of a stellar race is high.”
—Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
What the Future May Hold for Chicagoland Speedway
The conversation surrounding a potential return to Chicagoland Speedway demonstrates the passionate connection between drivers, fans, and the historic Illinois oval. As NASCAR evaluates its future venues and the expiration of the street race contract approaches, Chicagoland stands as a compelling option. Carson Hocevar’s viral video may have been the spark, but the ongoing dialogue and strong fan opinions could influence where NASCAR’s top series competes in coming seasons.
