Tony Stewart's NASCAR rival Denny Hamlin gains ground at Chicagoland Speedway, finishing 14th and 26th in the past two road course events. Hamlin's four wins over five weeks earlier in the season had narrowed Tyler Reddick's points lead to 19.
What happened?
Tyler Reddick's June swoon continues, with a 36th-place finish at Sonoma. Reddick's month of June included finishes of 35th, 25th, and 36th, with a runner-up finish at Pocono sandwiched in there. At Pocono, Reddick finished behind Hamlin, who took the top spot.
Why it matters for Tony Stewart
Hamlin's gains on the road course have put pressure on Reddick, who had been expected to regain some of the lost points over the course of back-to-back road races. Reddick's road-course history has been strong, but Hamlin's recent performances have made him a formidable opponent.
What comes next?
NASCAR returns to Chicagoland Speedway, a track that has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. The event is set to take place in March, giving Hamlin and Reddick a chance to make up ground and solidify their positions in the standings.
In recent years, NASCAR has returned to North Wilkesboro and Bowman Gray, and has tip-toed back to Rockingham. A return to Chicagoland Speedway doesn't spark the same type of romanticism, but it's a welcome addition to the schedule.
Hamlin's Chevy wasn't exactly in showroom shape down the stretch at Sonoma, leaking oil and becoming increasingly difficult to handle. Despite this, Hamlin was able to earn his paycheck in the closing laps, finishing 26th.
The good news for Reddick is that June is gone, and he'll have a chance to regroup and refocus for the next event. The bad news is that Hamlin's momentum is building, and he'll be a tough opponent to beat in the coming weeks.
NASCAR's return to Chicagoland Speedway is a welcome addition to the schedule, and it will be interesting to see how Hamlin and Reddick perform in the coming weeks. Will Hamlin's gains on the road course carry over to the next event, or will Reddick be able to regain his footing and make up ground? Only time will tell.
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