Chase Elliott was edged out by Brandon Jones in an overtime finish at Chicagoland Speedway on July 5, 2026, losing by just 0.171 seconds in the rain‑delayed Cuervo 300.
What happened?
The race returned to Chicagoland after a seven‑year hiatus, and the final restart on lap 200 set the stage for a duel. Jones, in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, and Elliott, piloting the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, ran side‑by‑side through Turns 1 and 2. Jones seized the lead in Turn 3 on the white‑flag lap, holding off Elliott’s late charge to cross the line first.
How did Elliott perform?
Elliott led the most laps—78 of the scheduled 200—showing speed throughout the event. He chose the top lane for the restart but missed the push from third‑place Jesse Love, who was on worn tires. Elliott later blamed his own line, saying he “got myself super tight” and lost momentum into Turn 3, which cost him the win.
Why does this matter for Chase Elliott?
The finish keeps Elliott out of the victory column in a race that featured several playoff‑relevant drivers. While he secured a strong points haul, the loss drops him behind Brandon Jones in the race‑by‑race standings and leaves him needing a win or higher finish in the remaining four events before the Chase field is set.
What’s next for Elliott?
Elliott will head to the next O’Reilly Auto Parts Series stop with a focus on tire management and restart strategy, areas highlighted by his post‑race comments. A solid finish could still solidify his position in the postseason picture, especially as teammate Tayor Gray sits just 11 points above the cut line.
Who else was in the mix?
Austin Hill rounded out the top five, while rookie Brent Crews and JGR teammate Tayor Gray fought for playoff spots. Gray led 55 laps, finishing seventh and maintaining a 52‑point cushion above the current Chase cut line. Crews sits 12th, holding the final Chase‑eligible spot, while William Sawalich, after contact with Crews, fell to 29th and now faces an uphill battle.
How did the race unfold?
Qualifying was canceled after rain, so Connor Zilisch started on pole based on metrics and led the first stage wire‑to‑wire. A fuel issue forced his car to pit, dropping him to 26th before he fought back to ninth by the end of Stage 2. Elliott led the field at the first pit stop and held the top spot through the end of Stage 2, demonstrating his speed despite the eventual overtime drama.