Ryan Blaney was one of three drivers who took part in NASCAR's two-day Goodyear tire test at Chicagoland Speedway.
The test marked the track's return to the calendar after seven years, with the next race scheduled for July 5.
## What happened at the test?
Blaney made a bunch of long runs during the test, focusing on picking the right tire for the July race.
The test also helped Goodyear determine the drop off of the tires, as the track hasn't been used in quite some time.
## Why it matters for Ryan Blaney
Blaney emphasized the importance of racing in Chicago, citing the city's large population of sports fans.
He noted that even though Chicagoland Speedway is 45 miles from downtown Chicago, it's still accessible.
## What comes next?
The two-day test gave teams and manufacturers an idea of how various tires will perform at Chicagoland.
Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin were the other drivers testing for Chevrolet and Toyota respectively.
Blaney's experience working with the Goodyear team was productive, with each team provided with eight sets of tires.
The 2023 NASCAR cup series champion also talked about NASCAR's future in Chicago, after the series announced it would no longer host the Chicago street race.
Blaney shared his thoughts on the matter, stating that it's essential to have a presence in the city.
The track had been idle since 2019, except for hosting the SuperMotocross playoffs in 2023.
Blaney's visit to the track brought back memories from his previous visits, and he's looking forward to the July 5 race.