It’s an early Saturday morning for the Cup Series drivers at World Wide Technology Raceway for practice and qualifying for the Enjoy Illinois 300.
Due to rain in the area, the drivers have not been divided into two groups for practice. All of the drivers will take to the track for a single 30 practice session. They will be split into groups for qualifying to set the field.
With eleven minutes remaining in practice, NASCHAR has displayed the caution flag due to a bit of rain on the track.
After only a few minutes, the rains – drizzle has stopped and the drivers are going again. However, the Toyota’s have all stayed on pit road with the crews working to set the cars for qualifying.
Team Penske tops the board after practice with Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney leading the way. Logano led fastest lap and multi-lap averages.
The first driver on the track from group a is Cody Ware who posted a time of 33.335 seconds around the mile and a quarter track.
Austin Dillon is the first driver to break the 33 second mark with a time of 32.899 seconds.
Austin Cindric, Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, and Denny Hamlin will all move on to round two of qualifying from Group A.
The first driver from Group B to make a qualifying lap is Derek Kraus who posted a time of 32.916 seconds.
Todd Gilliland got loose on his qualifying run but saved the car and posted a 33.021 lap.
Michael McDowell set a new track record with a time of 32.318 seconds.
Group B drivers Michael McDowell, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Brad Keselowski will move on to round two of qualifying.
Kyle Busch is the only Chevrolet in the top 10; he posts a time of 32.842 seconds.
With a time of 32.468 seconds Michael McDowell earns his third pole of the season…and his career. Austin Cindric will start alongside on the front row.
The starting lineup for the Enjoy Illinois 300:
Michael McDowell
Austin Cindric
Ryan Blaney
Christopher Bell
Tyler Reddick
Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski
Bubba Wallace
Ty Gibbs
Kyle Busch
William Byron
Joey Logano
Kyle Larson
Alex Bowman
Corey LaJoie
Ross Chastain
Chase Elliott
Austin Dillon
Martin Truex Jr
Carson Hocevar
Justin Haley
Erik Jones
Chase Briscoe
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Derek Kraus
Chris Buescher
Noah Gragson
Daniel Hemric
Josh Berry
Harrison Burton
Daniel Suarez
Ryan Preece
John Hunter Nemechek
Cody Ware
Todd Gilliland
Zane Smith
For the first time this season, none of the Hendrick Motorsports cars are in the top 10.
Stage one is 45 laps, stage two are 95 laps, and stage three is 100 laps for a total of 240 laps around the mile and a quarter track. The drivers can run 70 to 75 laps on a single load of fuel.
Michael McDowell brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the outside lane and jumps out in front for the lead. Christopher Bell gets around Austin Cindric for second. Back in the field the drivers are getting three wide.
Brad Keselowski had a big slide; he recovered but sent a big batch of durt onto Joey Logano’s windshield.
The first caution flag of the race comes out on lap three for a wreck involving John Hunter Nemechek and Cody Ware. Nemchek spins out and collects Ware.
Michael McDowell brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane with Christopher Bell alongside on lap eight. Going side by side, Bell takes the lead briefly before McDowell gets out in front.
Lap nine, the top five are Michael McDowell, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Tyler Reddick.
Denny Hamlin passes Tyler Reddick for fifth.
Kyle Busch reported that his car is a little on the tight side but noted several of the drivers are very loose.
Lap 13, Michael McDowell has a third of a second lead on Christopher Bell; Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
After getting loose on the track, Brad Keselowski has been dropping in the field and is now out of the top 10.
The second caution flag of the race comes out when Derek Kraus spins out and gets into Cody Ware.
Several of the drivers come down pit road for adjustments and service but the leaders stay out.
Brad Keselowski made a second trip down pit road, saying he had a loose wheel.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr was caught speeding on pit road and will restart the race from the back of the field.
The top 12 drivers stayed out on the track, Michael McDowell brings the field down for the green flag restart on laps 23 with McDowell edging out for the lead.
Lap 24, Michael McDowell leads the race with Christopher Bell in second; Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Cody Ware is the only driver not on the lead lap.
Lap 26, Josh Berry is slowed on the track, but gets the car moving again and the track stays green.
Bubba Wallace reports all four corners need grip.
Lap 30, Michael McDowell has led every lap so far; Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Christopher Bell moves up the track to get near leader Michael McDowell’s bumper. Ryan Blaney moves up to make it a close three way line over a second in front of the remainder of the field.
Lap 38, Christopher Bell begins to make a move on leader Michael McDowell.
Lap 40, teammates Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson battle for tenth.
Lap 41, Christopher Bell battle with Michael McDowell for the lead. Bell finally gets out in front for the lead.
Christopher Bell wins stage one for his fifth stage win of the season.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Christopher Bell
Michael McDowell
Ryan Blaney
Austin Cindric
Denny Hamlin
William Byron
Ty Gibbs
Tyler Reddick
Joey Logano
Chase Elliott
Mike Joy announced that the race is a sellout!
Drivers come down pit road for service. Taking only two tires, Ryan Preece and Martin Truex Jr were the first driver to come off of pit road.
After staying out on the track, Todd Gilliland leads the race.
Todd Gilliland brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two on lap 55 with Kyle Busch alongside. Busch jumped out in front for the lead as drivers get four wide across the track. Chase Elliot slaps the wall.
Much of the field is three wide!
Lap 56, Kyle Busch has a third of a second lead on Todd Gilliland; Austin Dillon, Josh Berry, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr round out the top five.
Todd Gilliland has dropped in the field and is out of the top five in seventh.
Lap 58, Kyle Busch has pulled out to a lead of over half a second on teammate Austin Dillon; Josh Berry, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.
Lap 60, Kyle Busch continues to increase his lead and is now nearly a second in front of Austin Dillon; Josh Berry, Christopher Bell, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.
Christopher Bell passes Josh Berry for third.
Lap 63, Christopher Bell passes Austin Dillon for second; Kyle Busch has a near one second lead.
Lap 70, Christopher Bell passes Kyle Busch for the lead.
The top five are Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Martin Truex Jr, and Josh Berry.
Lap 73, Christopher Bell has pulled out to a lead of nearly a second on Kyle Busch.
Lap 76, all 36 of the cars are on the track and on the lead lap.
Lap 77, Christopher Bell has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Kyle Busch.
Lap 80, Christopher Bell now has a second and a half lead on Kyle Busch; Austin Dillon, Martin Truex Jr, and Josh Berry round out the top five.
Lap 87, Christopher Bell is running away with the race, he has a lead of over three seconds on Kyle Busch; Austin Dillon, Martin Truex Jr, and Josh Berry round out the top five.
Chase Elliott reports that he did knock the tow out on his car when he hit the wall. Elliott is in sixth place.
Lap 90, Austin Dillon passes teammate Kyle Busch for second.
Lap 91, driving it like he stole it, Christopher Bell now has a lead of four and a half seconds.
Lap 92, green flag pit stops have begun.
Josh Berry was caught speeding on pit road and will have to serve a pass through penalty.
Lap 96, Christopher Bell gives up a near five second lead to come down pit road. Martin Truex Jr is the new leader.
Lap 97, Martin Truex Jr comes down pit road and gives the lead over to Austin Cindric.
While pit road speed is just 40mph, there is no speed limit on the access road leading to pit road.
Lap 102, Austin Cindric leads the race with Ryan Blaney in second; Ryan Preece, Brad Keselowski, and Chase Briscoe round out the all Ford top five.
This is the third year that the Cup Series has been racing at WWT; but it is the time the drivers have made a green flag pit stop.
Lap 109, Martin Truex Jr works his way to pit road with a flat tire and the track stays green.
Austin Cindric leads the race with Ryan Blaney in second; Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five. There are 17 cars on the lead lap.
Josh Berry gets into the wall and brings out the fourth caution flag. Berry reports that he blew the tires. He is out of his car examining the car.
Drivers who have yet to make a pit stop, come down pit road for service.
Christopher Bell retakes the lead with Chase Elliott in second; Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, and Austin Cindric round out the top five.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 120 and gets out in front for the lead.
Kyle Larson and Austin Cindric battle for fifth
Drivers are three and four wide across the track.
The top five are Chrisotpher Bell, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric, and Kyle Larson.
Josh Berry is out of the race.
After having to make an unscheduled trip down pit lane with a flat tire, Martin Truex Jr is now two laps down.
Lap 124, Austin Cindric and Kyle Busch battle for third.
Ryan Blaney passes Kyle Larson for fifith.
Lap 125, Christopher Bell has a second and a half lead on Chase Elliott.
Lap 127, Christopher Bell has pulled out to a lead of over two seconds on Chase Elliott.
Ryan Blaney passes Kyle Busch for fourth.
Lap 129, the top five are Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Busch.
Lap 130, Austin Cindric and Chase Elliott battle for second and finally gets the spot with Christopher Bell two and a half seconds out in front.
Joey Logano passes Kyle busch for fifth.
Lap 134, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott battle for third.
There are 32 cars on the lead lap with Christopher Bell nearly three and a half seconds out in front.
The caution flag comes out on lap 140 when the two Kyles make contact and into the wall.
Christopher Bell wins stage two by nearly four seconds to sweep both stages.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Christopher Bell
Austin Cindric
Ryan Blaney
Chase Elliott
Joey Logano
Brad Keselowski
Chase Briscoe
Carson Hocevar
Austin Dillon
Denny Hamlin
Kyle Busch has taken his car to the garage and is out of the race for his first DNF of the season.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Chirstopher Bell winning the race off of pit road after taking only two tires. The Team Penske drivers were among those that stayed out on the track.
Austin Cindric brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 149 with Cindric edging out for the lead, Drivers are three and four wide.
Ty Gibbs was caught speeding on pit road and restarted the race from the back of the field.
Chase Elliott tried to thread the needle but the hole closed up.
Lap 150, Austin Cindric leads the race with Ryan Blaney in second; Joey Logano, Carson Hocevar, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five. Christopher Bell is in the top 10 in ninth.
Lap 156, Austin Cindric has a half second lead on Ryan Blaney; Joey Logano, Carson Hocevar, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five. Christopher Bell is four seconds back in eighth place.
Lap 160, Austin Cindric has increased his lead to over half a second on Ryan Blaney. Christopher Bell is working his way through the field and is now in sixth place.
With 73 laps remaining in the race, Austin Cindric leads the race by over half a second on Ryan Blaney; Joey Logano, Carson Hocevar, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell battle for fifth. IN fourth place, Carson Hocevar is a half second in front.
With 68 to go, Ryan Blaney has closed the gap on leader Austin Cindric to under half a second.
Christopher Bell blows by Carson Hocevar as Hocevar slows to come down pit road.
Ryan Blaney gives up second to make a green flag pit stop as drivers begin the cycle of green flag pit stops.
Austin Cindric comes down pit road and gives the lead over to Joey Logano.
With 63 to go, Christopher Bell passes Joey Logano for the lead.
Sixty to go, Christopher Bell has a lead of four and a half seconds on Brad Keselowski; Tyler Reddick, Justin Haley,, and ross Chastain round out the top five.
There are 56 laps remaining in the race, Christopher Bell has increased his lead to over five and a half seconds on Brad Keselowski; Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, and Justin Haley round out the top five.
Christopher Bell continues to increase his lead on Brad Keselowski; he is now nearly six seconds out in front.
With 47 laps remaining in the race, Christopher Bell gives up a near six second lead to make his pit stop. Brad Keselowski is the new leader.
With 45 laps to go, the top five are Brad Keselowski, Justin Haley, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher. Christopher Bell returns to the track in 18th place.
Forty to go, Brad Keselowski has a lead of over nine seconds on Chase Elliott; Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, and Todd Gilliland round out the top five. Christopher Bell is up to 14th.
Todd Gilliland gives up fifth place to make his pit stop with 37 laps to go.
Tyler Reddick passes Brad Keselowski to unlap himself.
Christopher Bell has moved up to 12th place; 27 seconds behind the leader.
With 34 lpas to go, Christopher Bell has entered the top 10.
There are 16 cars on the lead lap.
With 31 to go, Christopher Bell passes Michael McDowell like he was sitting still.
Chase Elliott makes his pit stop.
Christopher Bell passes Austin Cindric for sixth.
Thirty to go, leader Brad Keselowski gives up his lead to make a pit stop; Kyle Larson is the new leader.
Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace, and Ryan Blaney battle for third.
Kyle Larson leads the race but will need to make a pit stop. Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell battle for second
Ty Gibbs made a pit stop and nearly took his front tire changer with him upon leaving pit road.
With 25 to go, Christopher Bell battles with Rya nBlaney for second.
With 24 to go Kyle Larson makes his pit stop. Ryan Blaney gets the lead but Christopher Bell continues the battle.
Twenty to go and the battle for the lead between Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell continues.
Leaders encounter slower traffic.
Christopher Bell reports that he is “blowing up”!
Just 15 laps to go, Ryan Bloaney has a lead of over three seconds on Austin Cindric; Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Ten to go! Ryan Blaney has a near three second lead on Austin Cindric; Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Martin Truex Jr is down three laps but comes up behind teammate Christopher Bell to give him a push and Bell is running faster laps. Bell is currently in fifth place.
Seven to go, leader Ryan Blaney has encountered Daniel Suarez, Noah Gragson, and Bubba Wallace who are all fighting to stay on the lead lap.
Three to go, Ryan Blaney has a lead of less than A SECOND AND A HALF ON Austin Cindric; Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Just before the white flag, Ryan Blaney slows on the track and Austin Cindric takes the lead.
Austin Cindric wins the race! It is only his second top 10 finish this season. The win breaks an 85 race winless streak.
The unofficial results of the Enjoy Illinois 300:
Austin Cindric
Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski
Tyler Reddick
Joey Logano
Austin Dillon
Christopher Bell
Carson Hocevar
Justin Haley
Kyle Larson
Ty Gibbs
Ross Chastain
Chase Elliott
Chris Buescher
William Byron
Todd Gilliland
Chase Briscoe
Daniel Hemric
Zane Smith
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Bubba Wallace
Noah Gragson
Daniel Suarez
Ryan Blaney
Michael McDowell
Erik Jones
John Hunter Nemechek
Alex Bowman
Ryan Preece
Derek Kraus
Harrison Burton
Corey LaJoie
Cody Ware
Martin Truex Jr
Kyle Busch
Josh Berry