Venue & Race Details
Event: NASCAR Cup Series – Enjoy Illinois 300 (Round of 16, Race 2 of the Playoffs)
Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Start Time: 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT local)
Location: World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison, Illinois (just outside St. Louis)
Track Specs: 1.25-mile oval, 11° banking in Turns 1–2, 9° in Turns 3–4, 240 laps (300 miles)
Broadcast: USA Network (TV), MRN & SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Radio)
Pre-Race Report & Conditions
Weather Outlook: Sunny, mid-70s°F, light winds, low rain chance — ideal for consistent track temps and long green-flag runs.
Track Characteristics: Short-flat oval with heavy braking zones, tight restarts, and a premium on track position, tire management, and pit road execution.
Key Driver Matchups & Storylines
Denny Hamlin – Pole Sitter & Momentum Builder
Hamlin grabbed the pole with a blistering 139.190 mph lap, marking his third pole of 2025. He’s finished runner-up in the last two Gateway races and will look to convert prime track position into his first Enjoy Illinois 300 victory.
Kyle Larson – Front Row Threat
Starting alongside Hamlin, Larson’s qualifying speed and adaptability on short-flats make him a legitimate contender.
Joey Logano – Gateway Ace Under Pressure
The 2022 inaugural winner and only driver with three straight top-five finishes at Gateway starts 13th. He’s just three points below the playoff cut line, making this a must-perform weekend.
Chase Briscoe – Already Locked In
Fresh off a dominant Darlington win, Briscoe starts 3rd and can race aggressively without playoff pressure.
Playoff Bubble Watch
Alex Bowman: 19 points below the cut, poor Gateway history (outside top 25 in last two starts).
Josh Berry: Also -19, needs a clean race and stage points.
Shane van Gisbergen: Starts 18th, must avoid early trouble.
Recent Form & Track History
Past Winners: Joey Logano (2022), Kyle Busch (2023), Austin Cindric (2024).
Defending Winner: Cindric used late-race execution to secure the 2024 win.
Manufacturer Trends: Team Penske has won two of the first three Cup races at Gateway.
Betting Trends & Insights
Ryan Blaney: Elite long-run pace at Gateway; led 83 laps last year before running out of fuel.
Christopher Bell: Led a race-high 80 laps in 2024; short-flat skillset fits Gateway perfectly.
Joey Logano: Restart craft and pit precision give him upside despite mid-pack start.
Brad Keselowski: RFK Racing trending up on flat tracks; value play for a podium.
Primary Pick: Christopher Bell (+500) – Qualifying speed + Stage 2 control potential.
Co-Favorite: Ryan Blaney (+500) – Long-run balance and throttle discipline.
Value Play: Joey Logano (+950) – Proven Gateway record, playoff urgency.
Long Shot: Erik Jones (+6000) – Short-flat feel, could capitalize on timely cautions.
DRIVER ODDS
Ryan Blaney + 500
Christopher Bell + 500
Denny Hamlin + 650
Kyle Larson + 850
Joey Logano + 950
Chase Briscoe + 1000
William Byron + 1200
Tyler Reddick + 1300
Austin Cindric + 1600
Chase Elliott + 1800
Kyle Busch + 2000
Bubba Wallace + 2200
Josh Berry + 2500
Brad Keselowski + 2500
Ross Chastain + 3000
Chris Buescher + 3000
Carson Hocevar + 3500
Ty Gibbs + 4000
Austin Dillon + 4000
Alex Bowman + 4000
Ryan Preece + 5500
Erik Jones + 6500
Justin Haley + 10000
John Hunter Nemechek + 10000
Michael McDowell + 12000
Daniel Suarez + 12000
Shane Van Gisbergen + 14000
AJ Allmendinger + 15000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. + 20000
Zane Smith + 25000
Todd Gilliland + 25000
Noah Gragson + 25000
Cole Custer + 30000
Ty Dillon + 45000
Riley Herbst + 50000
Cody Ware + 70000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, September 6, 2025
