Tyler Reddick walked out of the 23XI Racing No. 45 at Chicagoland Speedway and, despite posting top times in Friday practice, said the track still feels harsher than expected.
Unsettling Bumpy Texture Sticks Around Chicagoland
In a post‑practice interview, Reddick admitted the dioxide‑treated surface left practical “confusion.” He expected a smooth run but the lap‑time pace flat‑lined, suggesting that the freshly laid rubber hasn’t fully smoothed the rough patches.
The Joliet intermediate’s newly resurfaced turns 3 and 4 carry a tremor that even the high‑speed cars feel, with a jump bump at Turn 1 that keeps drivers from fully committing.
Drivers’ Thoughts on Track Setup and NextGen Cars
RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher called the ride “rough like we knew it would be coming in,” but added it’s marginally smoother than simulator data would predict.
Buescher explained that newer NextGen models, equipped with independent rear suspension and a nose‑up, rear‑down balance, experience these bumps differently from the Gen‑6 cars of the 2019 season, which were nose‑down and rear‑up.
Track Evolution Since 2019 and the Road Ahead
Since the track’s 2019 revival, the asphalt’s “clinginess” has been less pronounced, with the front lane moving past rubber in a surprisingly short practice window.
Fellow drivers predicted a quick build‑up to wall‑side racing, saying the track will iterate swiftly once every lane receives adequate rubber.
Comparisons to Kansas and Atlanta Drafting Tracks
Daniel Suarez likened Joliet to Kansas in terms of track quality but with bigger, more pronounced bumps, and remarked that “Charlotte 3 & 4” would be less bumpy.
Carson Hocevar, recalling the Atlanta drafting style of the past, called this track a modern echo of that era, warning that the race might fill the fence‑touch range sooner than drivers expect.
Q & A: Drivers Predict O’Reilly Series Impact
Ryan Blaney noted that the upcoming O’Reilly Series run would likely give drivers a chance to “clear the wall” and set a tone for the main event.
Other drivers agreed that, given the limited practice, the copper paint and rubber in the last few turns would help the cars perform better during the race.
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