2019 NASCAR Preview: Week 17 – Chicagoland

The boys took on Sonoma’s road course last week and Martin Truex Jr. rose above the rest, defending his 2018 victory. They’re now off to Chicagoland, a race won by Truex in both 2016 and 2017. Does he do it again today, or does someone else step up?

Here’s what to look for:

Austin Dillon – Looking for big things Chicago. @ChicagolndSpdwy #NASCAR (Source: @austindillon3)

–Austin Dillon will lead from Pole, he’ll need all the help he can get today. In just five attempts here, he’s got two finishes deep in the field; a 37th last year, and a 43rd in 2015.

Stewart-Haas Racing – This #FreakyFast machine is ready to turn left at @ChicagolndSpdwy! We’re less than an hour away from racing, fans! (Source: @StewartHaasRcng)

–Kevin Harvick starts 2nd today, and has two straight 3rd place finishes. Happy won the first two races here back in 2001 and 2002, but hasn’t been to Victory Lane since.

Joe Gibbs Racing – Pre-race Prep: Our crew members are getting ready for the green flag at 3p ET. #TeamToyota #NASCAR (Source: @JoeGibbsRacing)

–Martin Truex Jr, we touched upon him earlier, has a 4-1-1 over his last three races, heading backwards. He didn’t get it done in Qualifying though, a sign of struggles to come? #19 starts 18th.

Kyle Busch – Just shot the cover for our new album. First single ‘Slide Job!’ drops soon. 😎 @DaleJr @KyleLarsonRacin @NASCARonNBC (Source: @KyleBusch)

–Kyle Busch has six Top 10s in his last seven attempts, and his most recent outing was a Win. He’ll start just one position in front of teammate Truex, a different sort of setup for the JGR cars in Qualifying?

Daniel Hemric – Go time here @ChicagolndSpdwy 👊 @LibertyCareers #LNLRacing (Source: @DanielHemric)

–Daniel Hemric is one that could surprise a few this week, but could it really be a “surprise?” He hasn’t yet tackled the Cup circuit’s Chicagoland race, but he nailed down a 4th and 5th in Xfinity his last two runs. And he’s starting 3rd; he started 9th and 10th respectively for that pair of Top 5s.