The starting lineup is officially set for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, and teams now know where they’ll be making every pit stop during the eero 400.
Following Saturday’s qualifying session, NASCAR released the official pit stall assignments for all 38 drivers. While qualifying determines the starting grid, pit selection is another critical advantage, especially at a 1.5-mile intermediate track where green-flag pit cycles often shape the outcome of the race.
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Drivers who qualified near the front earned the first opportunity to choose their preferred pit stalls, with teams weighing factors such as opening availability, clear entry and exit lanes, and proximity to pit road traffic.
Inspection Penalties Shake Up Two Teams
Not every team had the chance to choose its ideal pit stall.
The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Kyle Larson failed pre-race inspection twice before passing on its third attempt. As a result, the team lost pit stall selection, and car chief Jesse Saunders was ejected for the remainder of the race weekend.
The No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Michael McDowell encountered an even steeper penalty. After failing inspection three times before finally passing on the fourth attempt, McDowell was not permitted to make a qualifying lap. He will start Sunday’s race from 38th, forfeited pit stall selection, and will serve a pass-through penalty after taking the green flag. Car chief Travis Young was also ejected for the remainder of the weekend.
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Those penalties altered where both teams will pit compared to what they likely would have selected based on speed.
Official 2026 Chicagoland Cup Series Pit Stall Assignments
Below is NASCAR’s official pit stall assignment chart for Sunday’s eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
With both the starting lineup and pit assignments now finalized, teams will turn their attention to race strategy ahead of Sunday’s return to Chicagoland Speedway.
