The Cup Series travels to World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway for the Enjoy Illinois 300.
Gateway is the site of Kyle Busch’s final Cup Series win. They have renamed the trophy given to the winner as the “Rowdy Trophy”!
The 36 drivers get a full 50 minute practice session and two sets of tires before making a qualifying run to set the field.
The 17 car driven by Chris Buescher and the number 51 car driven by Cody Ware failed the inspection process twice but passed on the third try. As a result, Buescher and Ware lose their car chief for the weekend and NASCAR will assign the pit stall.
Denny Hamlin ran one lap and came back into the garage with a number of car issues including a possible brake issue.
The biggest conversation in the NASCAR paddock this week is Hurricane Hocevar and Brad Keselowski. TNT Sports reports that so far this season Carson Hocevar has been involved in 34 incidents among 30 different drivers. During the race last weekend at Darlington, Keselowski and Hocevar made contact, sending Keselowski in a spin. Keselowski has said that a “hard” payback is coming. Hocevar takes it all in stride. While commentators and drivers both complain about Hocevar’s behaviour, the forget that some of the greatest drivers in the sport were once young, reckless drivers similar to Hocevar.
Team Penske drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano topped the leaderboard in practice with Joshy Berry in third. Blaney ran the fastest lap with a time of 33.170 seconds.
When the NASCAR official announced the end of the adjustment period between practice and qualifying he said the time for “fluffing and puffing” has ended.
The first driver on the track to make a qualifying run is Cody Ware who posted a time of 33.926 seconds.
Joey Logano was the first driver to break the 33 second mark with a time of 32.817 seconds.
With a time of 32.817 seconds Joey Logano puts his number 22 car on the pole with Kyle Larson alongside on the front row
The starting lineup for the Enjoy Illinois 300:
Joey Logano
Kyle Larson
Ryan Blaney
Christopher Bell
Chase Briscoe
Carson Hocevar
Bubba Wallace
Chase Elliott
Ty Gibbs
Denny Hamlin
Alex Bowman
Zane Smith
Austin Cindric
Ryan Preece
Daniel Suarez
Josh Berry
AJ Allmendinger
Tyler Reddick
Connor Zilisch
Ross Chastain
Chris Buscher
Austin Dillon
Brad Keselowski
William Byron
Erik Jones
Cole Custer
Austin Hill
John Hunter Nemechek
Michael McDowell
Cody Ware
Noah Gragsson
Ty Dillon
Riley Herbst
Todd Gilliland
Shane van Gisbergen
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Stage one is just 45 laps, stage two is 95 laps and stage three is 100 laps for a total of 240 laps.
The engines are cranked, the drivers are moving around the track, and now it is time for the pyro – the wall of fire – along the backstretch!
John Hunter Nemechek will have to start the race from the back of the field after the crew made some unapproved adjustments to the car.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr is making Cup Series start number 500 today.
Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag sstart of the race with Kyle Larson alongside. Logano jumps out in front for the lead. Driverss are getting three wide through the field.
Starting in sixth place, Carson Hocevar has already moved up to fourth place.
Lap two, the top five are Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Carson Hocevar, and Ryan Blaney.
Denny Hamlin iss dropping spots and has dropped four spots since race start.
Tyler Reddick started the race back in the field and hit the wall hard after some contact from Daniel Ssuarez.
The first caution flag comes out on lap six when Riley Herbst spins out and gets into the wall.
Riley Herbst and Tyler Reddick come down pit road for repairs.
Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap eleven and quickly gets out in front for the lead.
Lap 12, the top five are Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Carson Hocevvar. Denny Hamlin is out of the top 10 in 15th.
Lap 15, Ricky Stenhouse Jr spins out to bring out the second caution flag of the race. He gets moving again.
It is a hot Sunday afternoon and the track is slick.
Some of the drivers come down pit road for service.
Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag restart with teammate Ryan Blaney alongside on lap 20. Logano jumps out in front for the lead with Christopher Bell right behind.
The third caution flag comes out on lap 20 for a big crash after some three and four wide racing involving Daniel Suarez, Shane van Gisbergen, Cody Ware, Noah Gragson, and Michael McDowell.
Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ryan Blaney alongside on lap 25. Logano holds on to the lead with Christopher Bell in second; Ryan Blaney, Carson Hocevar, and Kyle Larson rounding out the top five.
The fourth caution flag comes out on lap 29 when Shane van Gisbergen spins out after contact with AJ Allmendinger.
Some of the drivers come down pit road for service.
Despite four cautions in the first 30 laps, Joey Logano has led every lap so far.
Christopher Bell reports that his brakes are “worrisome” saying they are soft and getting longer.
Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ryan Blaney alongside on lap 33. Logano takes the lead. Drivers are getting three wide and spread out around the track.
Lap 34, the top five are Joey Logano, Chrisotpher Bell, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott.
Lap 36, Christopher Bell battles with Joey Logano for the lead.
Just four laps remain in stage one, Joey Logano leads the race with Christopher Bell close behind; the third place driver Kyle Larson is over a second and a half back; Chase Elliott and Carson Hocevar round out the top five.
Leading every lap in the stage, Joey Logano wins stage one.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Joey Logano
Christopher Bell
Kyle Larson
Ryan Blaney
Chase Elliott
Carson Hocevar
Chasse Briscoe
Alex Bowman
Ty Gibbs
Brad Keselowski
Drivers come down pit road for service with Christopher Bell winning the race off of pit road but not all of the drivers came down pit road.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with John Hunter Nemechek alongside on lap 53. Drivers get three and four wide going into turn one.
The top 10 drivers stayed out on the track.
Lap 54, the top five are Brad Keselowski, John Hunter Nemechek, Daniel Suarez, William byron, and Denny Hamlin.
The sixth caution flag comes out on lap 56 when Erik Jones spins out after contact from Ty Gibbs.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag restart with John Hunter Nemechek alongside on lap 60. Keselowski edges out for the lead.
The top five are Brad Keselowski, John Hunter Nemechek, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Daniel Ssuarez.
The caution flag comes out on lap 64 for a wreck involving Riley Herbst and AJ Allmendinger.
Most of the field comes down pit road for service with Denny Hamlin winning the race off of pit road after taking only two tires.
After staying out on the track, Ross Chastain brings the field down for the green flag restart with Erik Jones alongside on lap 70. Chastain takes the lead.
Lap 70, the top five are Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece, Kyle Larson, Erik Jones, and Brad Keselowski.
Lap 74, all 36 cars are on the track but Riley Herbst is one lap down.
Lap 75, Ross Chastain leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Ryan Preece, Brad Keselowski, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
Lap 79, Ross Chastain holds on to the lead with Kyle Larson coming on fast; Ryan Preece, Brad Keselowski, and Joy Logano round out the top five.
Lap 80, Kyle Larson battle with Ross Chastain for the lead and is the new leader.
Lap 83, Kyle Larson has pulled out to a lead of over half a second on Ross Chastain; Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Ryan Preece round out the top five.
Lap 87, Kyle Larson has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Ross Chastain.
Lap 88, Brad Keselowski and Ross Chastain battle for second.
Lap 91, The battle between Ross Chastain and Brad Keselowski continues with Joey Logano joining the fight for second.
Lap 94, Kyle Larsson has pulled out to a lead of over two seconds on the field.
The top five are Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney.
Riley Herbst remains the only car not on the lead lap.
Lap 100, in fuel conservation mode, Kyle Larson has increased his lead to nearly two and a half seconds on Ross Chastain; Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Lap 103, Brad Keselowski continues his battle to pas Ross Chastain for second with Joey Logano on Keselowski’s bumper.
Lap 105, the drivers have made a green flag run of 35 laps after a caution filled stage one.
Lap 106, Joey Logano passes Brad Keselowski for third.
Lap 109, Kyle Larson has a two and a half second lead on Ross Chastain; Joey Logano, Brad Keselowsski, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Lap 114, there are 33 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 116, Joey Logano finally gets around Ross Chastain for second.
With 22 laps remaining in stage two, Kyle Larson has a near three second lead on Joey Logano; Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Fifteen laps remain in stage two, now in third and fourth, Ross Chastain and Brad Keselowski continue their battle for position.
Thirteen to go, there are now 31 cars on the lead lap.
Brad Keselowski finally passes Ross Chastain.
With 12 laps to go in stage two, Ross Chastain has to make a pit stop for fuel.
The caution flag comes out on lap 131 when Zane Smith hits the wall hard and has flames under the car. Smith is out of the car but not without some discomfort.
Kyle Larson wins stage two when the stage ended with the caution flag.
Ross Chastain is the “lucky dog”.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Kyle Larson
Joey Logano
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Blaney
Josh Berry
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Preece
Tyler Reddick
Chase Briscoe
Bubba Wallace
Drivers come down pit road for service with Joey Logano winning the race off of pit road.
With over 100 laps remaining in the race, the drivers will have to make another trip down pit road during stage three.
Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three with Kyle Larson alongside on Lap 141. Logano gets out in front for the lead . Drivers are four wide to bring out the caution flag. Bubba Wallace spins out after contact from Chase Briscoe. William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman were also involved. Wallace was the bottom car in the four wide battle. On top Josh Berry did not move up with Ryan Preece and Chase Briscoe in between.
Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag restart with Kyle Larson alongside on lap 147. Logano gets out in front with Brad Keselowski in second; Kyle Larson, Josh Berry, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
With 90 laps remaining in the race, Joey Logano has a half second lead on Brad Keseilowski; Kyle Larson, Josh Berry, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Ryan Blaney gets into the wall hard with a brake failure to bring out the caution flag on lap 155.
The news on Zane Smith from the care center is that he is alert and walking but chose not to issue a statement.
Drivers come down pit road to pack the fuel cell with 82 laps remaining in the race. Brad Keselowski wins the race off of pit road. Kyle Larson and Josh Berry stayed out on the track.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart with Josh Berry alongside with 78 laps remaining in the race. Denny Hamlin makes it a three way battle for the lead. Josh Berry takes the lead. Brad Keselowski moves up on the inside to battle with Josh Berry for the lead.
The top five are Josh Berry and Brad Keselowski in a battle for the lead with Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Carson Hocevar.
Carson Hocevar passes Kyle Larsson for fourth.
Lap 168, Brad Keselowski finally takes the lead.
Joey Logano takes second.
Kyle Larson has dropped out of the top five.
Lap 170, the caution flag comes out for a crash from Ross Chastain who spins out.
Pit road is busy with drivers making stops.
There was a fire in Riley Herbst’s pit stall.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag restart with Joey Logano alongside with 66 laps to go. Keselowski takes the lead with Joey Logano in second; Carsson Hocevar, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.
Riley Herbst brings out the caution flag with 64 laps to go. Herbst got loose and spun out.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag restart with Joey Logano alongside with 59 laps to go. Logano and Keselowski are side by side with Logano taking the lead. Brad Keselowski and Carson Hocevar are side by side in a battle for second.
With 57 to go, the top five are Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Carson Hocevar, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs.
With 55 to go, Joey Logano has a near one second lead on Brad Keselowski; Carson Hocevar, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.
With 52 laps to go, Kyle Larson restarted the race in 18th; he is now in eighth in a battle with Denny Hamlin.
Fifty to go, Joey Logano’s lead is down to less than half a second on Brad Keselowski; Carson Hocevar, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.
Christopher Bell passes Carson Hocevar for third.
The 13th caution flag of the race comes out with 42 laps to go when Noah Gragson gets into the wall with brake issues.
With this caution, the Cup Series has set a new record for cautions at the track.
Many of the drivers come down pit road for service with Joey Logano winning the race off of pit road after taking just two tires. The top five drivers stayed out on the track with Brad Keselowski leading the race.
Carson Hocevar had to make a second trip down pit road for a loose wheel.
Denny Hamlin had a slow pit stop and dropped to 20th.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ty Gibbs alongside with 35 laps remaining in the race. Keselowski takes the lead. Drivers get three and four wide on the track.
The top five are Brad Keselowski, Ross Chastain, Chase Briscoe, Shane van Gisbergen, and Joey Logano.
Just 32 laps to go, Brad Keselowski has a near one second lead on Ross Chastain; Joey Logano, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell.
Joey Logano battles with Ross Chastain for second.
Christopher Bell passes Chase Briscoe for fourth.
Joey Logano passes Ross Chastain for second.
Thirty to go, Brad Keselowski has pulled out to a near one second lead but Joey Logano is slowly closing in; Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.
The 14th caution flag comes out with 27 laps to go when Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe crash. Elliott drives away from the wreck but Briscoe is stopped on the track. Elliott is the third driver to have a brake issue.
Brad Keseloski brings the field down for the green flag restart with Joey Logano alongside with just 20 laps remaining in the race. Logano takes the lead ass drivers get three and four wide in the field.
The top five are Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, and Christopher Bell.
Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson battle for second.
A big wreck brings out the 15th caution of the flag. Christopher Bell, Josh Berry Bubba Wallace, and Tyler Reddick were all involved.
Joey Logano bring the field down for the green flag restart with Kyle Larson alongside with just 13 laps remaining in the race. Drivers spread out three and four wide. Kyle Larson takes the lead.
The caution flag comes out for a wreck involving Ty Dillon, Ty Gibbs, AJ Allmendinger, and Daniel Suarez.
NASCAR is throwing the red flag after the 16th caution flag with just eleven laps remaining in the race.
After a short break, the yellow flag has been displayed and some drivers are on pit road for repairs.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart with Joey Logano alongside with just seven laps remaining in the race. Larson takes the lead as drivers spread out three and four wide.
The top five are Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, and Brad Keselowski.
With just three lapss remaining in the race, the caution flag comes out for Chris Buescher who gets into the wall with another brake issue.
And the red flag comes out again!
The race goes into overtime!
When the brakes get super-heated and then cool down; they can crack and it is that cracking that causes them to break and explode.
The drivers are moving once again.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag overtime shootout to the end with Joey Logano alongside. Larsson jumps out in front ass the drivers spread out.
Shane van Gisbergen brings out the caution flag when he spins out in a four wide battle.
Alex Bowman passes Joey Logano to take second.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the second overtime shootout for the end of the race. Larsson takes the lead ass drivers spread out across the track.
Kyle Larson takes the white flag!
After a 51 race drought, Kyle Larsson finally gets a win!
Larson dedicated the race to teammate Alex Bowman who helped by giving him some pushes.
The unofficial results of the Enjoy Illinois 300:
Kyle Larssson
Alex Bowman
Joey Lobano
William Byron
Ross Chastain
Austin Dillon
Connor Zilisch
Carson Hocevar
Denny Hamlin
Ausstin Cindric
Cole Custer
Brad Keselowski
Erik Joness
Bubba Wallace
John Hunter Nemechek
AJ Allmendinger
Ryan Preece
Ty Gibbs
Christopher Bell
Michael McDowell
Austin Hill
Cody Ware
Shane van Gisbergen
Todd Gilliland
Tyler Reddick
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Chris Buescher
Josh Berry
Daniel Suarez
Ty Dillon
Josh Berry
Chase Elliott
Chase Briscoe
Noah Gragsson
Riley Herbst
Ryan Blaney
Zane Smith