Denny Hamlin wins pole position for NASCAR’s return to Chicagoland Speedway

Denny Hamlin claimed pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, posting a qualifying lap time of 30.296 seconds at a speed of 178.241 mph. The race marks NASCAR's first Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway in seven years. Qualifying took place on Saturday, July 5, 2026.