This weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series travels to Chicagoland for the Overton’s 400. Here is what to watch for during the action on Sunday.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads back to a more traditional style of racing at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. Last week, 38 drivers took to the twist and turns at Sonoma Raceway, where Martin Truex Jr. was able to outpace the field on way to his third win of the 2018 season. Luckily for him, the next track on the schedule could produce win number four considering his recent success there.
In a bold move last weekend, crew chief Cole Pearn made the decision for Truex Jr. to stay out late rather than pitting in hopes that the caution flag would stay away. This move allowed Truex Jr. to earn the win over a charging Kevin Harvick.
Had the caution flag come out, Truex Jr. wouldn’t have won. However, Lady Luck was on his side. A.J. Allmendinger didn’t have the same luxury. What looked like a good race turned into disaster for him when he missed a shift and blew his engine.
The next Cup Series race is at Chicagoland, where Truex Jr. has had recent success, including two wins in the last two races. This race, the Overton’s 400, starts the 10-race countdown until the playoffs start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September. Don’t forget to tune in to NBC Sports Network at 2:30 p.m. ET for the live broadcast of the race.
Here is what to watch for in this Sunday’s Overton’s 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
What to watch
The “big three” dominating
There seems to be a three-man race each weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series between Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. These three drivers consistently finish in the top five from race to race, and they have accumulated 12 wins through 16 races so far this season. More notable is Truex Jr.’s dominance at Chicagoland. He has won the last two races at the track and will look to win his third in a row there this weekend.
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Toyota will have a good day
Two out of the three “big three” of Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick driver Toyota cars. Those two drivers are Busch and Truex Jr. Truex Jr., as mentioned earlier, has won the last two races at Chicagoland and is the most recent race winner in the NASCAR Cup Series. Rewind to three years ago and it was Denny Hamlin in victory lane at Chicagoland in a Toyota as well. Harvick will still be up front in his Ford, but expect to see the Toyota drivers on top this Sunday.
Debut of Dale Earnhardt Jr. on NBC Sports Network
For those who feel NASCAR needs a good shot in the arm to boost the sport, look no further than this weekend when Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins the NBC Sports Network broadcast booth for the first time in 2018. It’s no secret that the sport took a hit when he announced his retirement and left the sport following the 2017 season. The Earnhardt followers no longer had either Dale in the sport, and they have been forced to either stop watching it or jump on with a different team. Hearing Dale Jr. call the race on Sunday will be music to many fans’ ears.
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Don’t forget to tune into NBC Sports Network this Sunday, July 1 at 2:30 a.m. ET to watch the live broadcast of the Overton’s 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. What will you be watching for this weekend? Are you excited for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s debut in the booth?