NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe has raised an urgent warning regarding the upcoming return of Chicagoland Speedway, scheduled for July 2026, urging NASCAR to avoid repaving the track surface. As the organization prepares to reinstate this 1.5-mile oval after a seven-year break, Briscoe’s caution highlights concerns rooted in recent troubles at similar venues.
Briscoe’s Serious Concerns Over Track Surface Changes
Following NASCAR’s announcement that Chicagoland Speedway will rejoin the Cup Series calendar on Independence Day weekend 2026, Briscoe emphasized the importance of preserving the track’s current surface. He expressed excitement about the return while firmly requesting:
ECSTATIC, thank you @NASCAR for going back! Just please don’t touch the surface.
The speedway is set to host events for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on July 4 and the ARCA Menards Series on July 3, marking a full weekend of racing action.
NASCAR has earmarked approximately $4 million for extensive facility upgrades at Chicagoland Speedway, including fresh paint, new SAFER foam barriers, improved grandstands, suite renovations, and parking lot repaving. However, the track surface itself is under scrutiny due to concerns raised by Briscoe based on recent issues at Iowa Speedway.
Briscoe specifically warned against following the example of Iowa Speedway’s 2024 partial repave, which led to significant difficulties for drivers during races. He stated:
Please don’t do the Iowa repave,
highlighting parallels between the two tracks. At Iowa, despite achieving a second-place finish in 2025, Briscoe voiced frustration over the track’s narrow lanes and limited passing opportunities. He noted:
I wish they’d repave this place all the way to the wall, just so we could have more room to move around,
adding,
It’s definitely really difficult to pass. You’re so limited. The racetrack’s only two or three lanes wide and you just take the guy’s air.
The dramatic impact of the Iowa repave is reflected in on-track statistics. In 2023, before repaving, Iowa Speedway saw 1,502 total passes during its Cup race. Following the partial repave in 2024, passes plummeted to just 192, with position-specific passes decreasing from 319 to 100, demonstrating a steep decline in competitive racing.
Wide Support Within the Racing World for Briscoe’s Warning
Briscoe’s cautionary message has resonated strongly among fans and fellow racers, with many voicing concern over potential consequences if Chicagoland’s surface is altered. On Reddit, one fan remarked:
If they are dead set on repaving Chicagoland, then we might as well not return there at all because the racing product will be putrid.
Many in the NASCAR community advocate for investment focused on enhancing the venue’s amenities rather than modifying the track surface. Desired improvements include better grandstands, upgraded parking facilities, enhanced suite areas, and modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi, all aimed at improving the fan and driver experience without undermining the racing dynamics that made Chicagoland popular from 2001 to 2019.
The outcome of NASCAR’s approach to Chicagoland Speedway could influence how future track renovations are handled across the sport. Preserving the competitive edge of these venues remains critical to maintaining NASCAR’s appeal. Briscoe’s warning serves as a reminder that changes to the racing surface carry risks that could diminish on-track excitement and driver satisfaction moving forward.