Brad Keselowski clinches Stage 2 win at the eero 400 on Sunday
Brad Keselowski took the Stage 2 win at the eero 400 on Sunday, July 7, 2026, pulling in ten valuable points that moved him two spots closer to the Chase cutline at Chicagoland Speedway.
Starting from fourth on the grid, Keselowski settled into a rhythm early, staying within the top five as the race settled into its first green‑flag run. A well‑timed pit stop on lap 45, coordinated by crew chief Jeremy Bullins, gave him fresh tires just as the second stage began. He leveraged the grip advantage to overtake Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 car on lap 62, then held the lead through a series of green‑flag laps. The win awarded him ten points and a boost in the points standings.
Coming into Chicagoland, Keselowski sat two positions below the Chase cutline after a seven‑race stretch that averaged only 9.3 points per event. The Stage 2 win added a rare 30‑plus point haul, the first such surge since his Texas victory earlier in the season. That influx not only narrowed the gap to the cutline but also gave his team momentum heading into the final stage, where a strong finish could solidify his playoff hopes.
The No. 6 team dealt with a tight pit stall selection after a penalty in qualifying, forcing them to start deeper in the field than they might have liked. Additionally, a brief caution on lap 30 shuffled the order, putting Keselowski behind a pack of faster cars. He navigated traffic with a mix of aggressive passes and strategic drafting, especially on the backstretch where the wind can unsettle the car’s balance.
While Keselowski claimed Stage 2, Tyler Reddick is still favored to win the overall eero 400, according to most analysts. Denny Hamlin, who captured pole with a 30.296‑second lap, is expected to fight for a top‑five finish despite a pit‑road mistake that may cost him a few seconds. Michael McDowell’s No. 71 car is likely to end with a DNF after multiple inspection failures and a pass‑through penalty. Keselowski’s performance, however, keeps him in the conversation for a strong finish that could shake up the points leaderboard.
The final stage will demand flawless pit work and tire management. If the team can avoid another penalty and keep the car’s handling consistent through the closing laps, Keselowski could finish inside the top ten, adding another handful of points. A solid finish would place him within striking distance of the Chase, setting up a tense battle for the remaining races of the season.