Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson enters Sunday's eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway with a clear goal: ending a 42-race winless streak at a track where he holds the best multi-start average finish in history.
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the D-shaped oval in Joliet, Illinois, for the first time since 2019, according to The Associated Press.
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Larson built momentum after posting a quick lap during Friday's practice session, following a multi-day testing period at the venue in April.
"I felt like we learned a lot about our race car at the test that has benefited the four of us as we've moved on from it," said Larson, referring to teammates Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman.
He noted that while the extra laps provided confidence, the high skill level across the field means competitors will quickly find speed on the bumpy asphalt surface.
"So yeah, I think just extra laps here gives some confidence, but everybody's so good, they're going to get the speed fast," Larson said.
The 33-year-old former champion is seeking his first victory since winning at Kansas in May 2025.
Although he has secured five top-five finishes in his last six races this season, Larson previously recorded consecutive runner-up finishes at Chicagoland in 2018 and 2019, including a notable final-lap battle with the late Kyle Busch.
"It was a really neat battle and it's always fun to be a part of battles that still to this day get replayed, and I've been a part of a few," Larson said, reflecting on archival footage of the 2018 race.
