Brandon Jones Denies Chase Elliott in Overtime to Win Chicagoland thriller
In a dramatic finish that stretched into the early hours of Sunday morning, Brandon Jones passed Cup Series star Chase Elliott on an overtime restart to win the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. The victory, which came after a lengthy rain delay that pushed the green flag past 10:15 p.m. EST on July 4, was Jones's first of the 2026 season and the eighth of his career.
Jones, driving the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, started the race in 29th position after qualifying was canceled due to inclement weather. He methodically worked his way through the field, surviving a race that featured side-by-side racing and multiple lead changes. The decisive moment came on the final restart when Jones, on older tires, slid up in front of Elliott and held him off through the final corners at the 1.5-mile oval.
“I had to earn that one,” Jones told reporters after the race. “Haven’t had an exciting one like that in a long time. Thank you guys for sticking that one out through the rain, and everything.”
A Duel on Old Tires
The overtime restart put Jones and Elliott on the front row, and Elliott appeared to have the advantage. But Jones used a strong restart to get alongside Elliott entering Turn 1, and the two drivers traded bumps and slides over the final two laps. Elliott ran against the wall to build momentum and attempted a last-ditch dive under Jones into Turn 3, but Jones held his line and powered to the checkered flag.
“It says a lot about just how resilient we are, and how hard we’re working at this,” Jones said of the battle. “Chase made it really difficult on me. He’s one of the best in the sport, so I knew he was going to be difficult. We were all on old tires — that was a blast to slide around and duel it out like that.”
Elliott, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion and a part-time entrant in the O’Reilly Series, acknowledged that his own mistakes cost him the win. “I don’t think that was the reason why we lost (not having a restart push), by any means,” Elliott said. “I ended up having momentum going the wrong way into Turn 3 and I tried to drive in really hard, got myself super tight. Super bummed about that, honestly.”
Jesse Love, Brent Crews, and Austin Hill rounded out the top five. Justin Allgaier, Taylor Gray, Sam Mayer, Cole Custer, and Connor Zilisch completed the top ten.
Why This Win Matters for Jones and Joe Gibbs Racing
For Jones, the win represents a breakthrough in what had been an inconsistent season. He had recorded four top-five finishes and one pole position entering Saturday night but had yet to visit Victory Lane. The 29th-place starting position made the comeback even more impressive, as Jones passed nearly half the field to position himself for the overtime shootout.
Joe Gibbs Racing celebrated its third win of the 2026 O’Reilly Series season, a welcome boost for the organization as it chases championship form. Jones, who has been a steady presence in the Xfinity Series for years, proved that he can still deliver against top-tier competition, even when faced with adversity.
“We’ve had some success early on, we’ve been in a little bit of a rut the last couple of weeks, so it’s nice to do it like we did today,” Jones said. “We really had to earn that one.”
The victory also carries added significance because it came on Independence Day weekend, a time when NASCAR traditionally showcases its biggest stars. The late-night atmosphere, combined with the weather delays, made the win even more memorable for the Jones team.
Jones will carry significant momentum into next weekend’s race at EchoPark Speedway in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. The homecoming will give him a chance to build on this performance and potentially challenge for a second straight win.
Elliott’s Missed Opportunity: A Rare Loss for a Cup Star
Chase Elliott’s second-place finish will likely be scrutinized given his pedigree. The No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet driver has dominated whenever he’s stepped into the O’Reilly Series in recent years, and his last win in the series came at Charlotte in 2024. Expectation is high when a Cup Series champion enters a developmental series race, and anything short of a win is often seen as a missed opportunity.
Elliott acknowledged his own shortcomings in the final laps. “Credit to Brandon,” he said. “He did a good job, had a good restart, and we stayed side-by-side through (Turns) 1 and 2. He had the momentum going the right way into Turn 3, and I got myself in a bad spot and paid the price.”
Despite the disappointment, Elliott’s performance was still strong. He ran near the front for most of the rain-delayed event and put himself in position to win, even if the final result wasn’t what he or his fans hoped for. The race served as another reminder that in NASCAR’s daredevil world, even the best can be beaten on any given night.
Broader Implications: A Boost for the O’Reilly Series
Jones’s victory over Elliott is a narrative boost for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, which often exists in the shadow of the Cup Series. A dramatic, late-night finish featuring a series regular outdueling a Cup champion brings attention to the developmental ranks and highlights the depth of talent in NASCAR’s lower divisions.
The win also reinforces Chicagoland Speedway’s reputation as a track that rewards tire management and driver skill. The worn, abrasive surface has historically favored drivers who can conserve rubber over long runs, and Jones’s ability to hold off Elliott on older tires demonstrated that expertise.
Looking ahead, Jones’s performance could signal a turning point in his season. With a home race in Atlanta next week, the momentum from this victory could propel him into the championship conversation. For Elliott, the result is a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar part-time schedule, but it’s unlikely to dampen his long-term prospects. As the 2026 season progresses, both drivers will look back on this Independence Day thriller as a defining moment.
“I don’t think I choked, but I definitely didn’t execute the way I needed to,” Elliott said. “We’ll move on and get them next time.”
For Jones, the celebration will continue, at least until the next green flag drops.
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