The 2026 eero 400 marks the return of the Cup Series to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019, set to kick off on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. This race serves as the second event in the NASCAR In-Season Challenge.

Key Drivers to Watch:

• Denny Hamlin: The pole sitter at +380, aiming for his sixth pole of the season.
• Brad Keselowski: A two-time winner at this track.
• Alex Bowman: The last winner at Chicagoland, listed at +4000.
• Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe: Both making their track debuts, with Reddick as a second favorite at +430.
• Shane van Gisbergen: Coming off a recent victory.

Betting Insights:

• Denny Hamlin's recent performances have been concerning, finishing 14th in San Diego and 26th in Sonoma. Despite being a favorite, the model suggests he may struggle to finish in the top 5.
• Ty Gibbs at +1500 is gaining traction, coming off a strong race with two stage wins and a third-place finish at Sonoma, now sitting fourth in the standings.

Longshot Bets:

• The model identifies two longshots at +1800 and a massive longshot around +4000, offering potential for significant payouts.

Before placing any bets, consider the insights from Mike McClure, a seasoned DFS player with over $2 million in winnings, who has successfully predicted numerous race outcomes. For those interested in maximizing their betting strategy, detailed predictions and the projected leaderboard can be found at SportsLine.