Here are the hot topics, trending news and key story lines to get you ready for this weekend's races -- and Sprint Cup Series Chase opener -- at Chicagoland Speedway.

WEATHER

The weekend forecast for Joliet, Illinois, looks relatively clear. Friday night -- when the Camping World Truck Series will take the track -- there is a 90 percent chance of rain and expected evening thunderstorms. For the XFINITY race, Saturday looks promising for the afternoon XFINITY race, with partly cloudy skies, a high near 78 degrees and a 20 percent chance of rain. Sunday looks to be ideal race day weather, with sunny skies and a high of 75 degrees.

KEY TIMES

Sprint Cup Series: The Sprint Cup Series holds its first practice Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET (NBC Sports App) followed by Coors Light Pole qualifying at 6:45 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App).

XFINITY Series: The XFINITY Series qualifies Saturday morning at 11:45 ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App), turning around to race that day at 3 p.m. ET (NBC/NBC Sports App).

Camping World Truck Series: The Camping World Truck Series is scheduled for a Keystone Light Pole qualifying session at 4:45 p.m. ET on FS1 Friday followed by the American Ethanol E15 225 race at 8:30 p.m. ET (FS1).


CATCH DRIVERS LIVE

We'll stream every driver press conference in the Chicagoland media center at NASCAR.com/presspass. Click here for a full XFINITY Series/Camping World Truck Series press schedule. With this weekend being the first race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR.com will also live stream a Ready. Set. Chase. launch event, which includes interviews with all 16 competitors, on Thursday at 3:05 p.m. ET. Click here to tune into the live stream.

LAST TIME

Denny Hamlin notched his second win of the 2015 season at Chicagoland, beating Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Carl Edwards across the finish line by .962 seconds to advance to the next round of the Chase.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman's conflict on track last weekend at Richmond could be far from over. Stewart made the 16-car Chase field, while Newman missed out and was noticeably frustrated with "Smoke" post-race, saying it was "just disappointing that you have somebody old like that that should be retired the way he drives." Will that spill over into the opening Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race? We'll find out Sunday.

• Alex Bowman will be wheeling the No. 88 Chevrolet for sidelined Dale Earnhardt Jr. this weekend at Chicagoland. Bowman has made two starts in the Hendrick Motorsports ride and will make seven more starts for the team this season, splitting seat time with veteran driver Jeff Gordon. Click here for the 2016 No. 88 driver schedule.

• Given Chicagoland's relatively young age, there have only been nine Sprint Cup winners at the Illinois track. "Smoke" leads the pack with three trips to Victory Lane, with Brad Keselowski on his heels with two wins. Six of the nine winners are current Chase competitors.

• A win at Chicagoland would guarantee a Chase competitor entrance into the next round of the Chase, beginning on Oct. 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. One thing to watch though, NASCAR announced rules updates for the Chase regarding post-race laser inspection and lug nuts and the penalties associated with those. Read more on those updates here.

THE FAVORITE

Brad Keselowski. Nope, he's not a JGR driver, who many consider the Chase favorites. But don't rule out Kes: He's won two of last four Sprint Cup races at Chicagoland and finished the past five straight races in the top 10. Good odds for taking the Blue Deuce.

Others to consider: Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth.

THE SLEEPER

 

Tony Stewart. "Smoke," a sleeper? Well, he hasn't won at Chicagoland since 2011 and finished his last two events there 18th and 25th. But he leads all-time drivers with the most wins at the Illinois track with three trips to Victory Lane. More importantly, the last time Stewart won at Chicagoland, he won the title later that season. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

Others to consider: Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman.

STAFF PICKS

Brad Keselowski: 3
Matt Kenseth: 2

Joey Logano: 2
Martin Truex Jr.: 1

Kevin Harvick: 1
Carl Edwards: 1