Christopher Bell started the Chase off with a bang as he went to Victory Lane in the Southern 500 and closed the gap to points leader Denny Hamlin to just 12 points in the process. Now, NASCAR heads to World Wide Technology Raceway for the 2026 Enjoy Illinois 300.
Hamlin’s troubles at Darlington have dramatically shifted the points picture in just one race. Can the #11 team bounce back at Gateway, or will we see a new points leader after Sunday’s race?
Let’s dive in!
2026 Enjoy Illinois 300 Entry List
After a pair of weeks with multiple non-charter entries, Sunday’s field will be made up of just the 36 charter entries. There have been some silly season shifts already announced, as Josh Berry will vacate the #21 car in 2027, with Jesse Love filling the seat. Meanwhile, Berry will slide over to the #42, replacing John Hunter Nemechek. However, these changes are not set to take place until next season.
The Chase races through the Midwest!
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 8, 2026
Watch all the action at @WWTRaceway, live on @NASCARonUSA. pic.twitter.com/ggtC1mRKrs
The layout of Gateway marks another uniquely shaped track like Darlington. However, the relatively flatter banks and shorter length at 1.25 miles lend to the circuit having more short-track-like characteristics. Track position will be at a premium, and we’ve seen strategy play a strong part at this track in the past.
Chase Standings
As mentioned above, Denny Hamlin experienced significant trouble at Darlington when a slow stop left him mired back in the pack, where contact with Michael McDowell ruined his day. Hamlin’s lead of 25 points to start the Chase has dwindled to just 12, showing just how fast things can change.
- Denny Hamlin
- Christopher Bell -12
- Ryan Blaney -16
- Tyler Reddick -24
- Chase Briscoe -37
- Ty Gibbs -39
- Kyle Larson -49
- Joey Logano -72
- Chase Elliott -72
- Bubba Wallace -81
- Chris Buescher -88
- Carson Hocevar -89
- Daniel Suarez -94
- Austin Cindric -102
- Ryan Preece -104
- William Byron -114
Hamlin wasn’t the only Chase driver to experience trouble last Sunday, as William Byron spun late in the race and experienced mechanical issues that dropped him to the bottom of the points standings. Meanwhile, at the top of the standings, there seems to be a clear separation between Kyle Larson in 7th and Joey Logano in 8th. The drivers in the top seven are all within 50 points, while Logano and the rest are 70 points back or more. I think that could very well be the cutoff between contenders and non-contenders, though Logano has had success at Gateway in the past and could move up after this weekend.
2026 Enjoy Illinois 300 Race Predictions
As mentioned above, Joey Logano has had success at Gateway, winning the inaugural Cup Series race at the track back in 2022. Logano’s teammate, Austin Cindric, has also found himself in Victory Lane at the circuit, and while Ryan Blaney hasn’t won here yet, the driver of the #12 was in position to do so in 2024 before running out of gas and giving the win to the aforementioned Cindric. In short, all Penske drivers are a threat this weekend.
There's a prime opportunity for the @Team_Penske Fords this weekend at @WWTRaceway. pic.twitter.com/L0pduOqqa6
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 10, 2026
Outside of the Penske crew, Denny Hamlin is the only active driver to have won a Cup race at Gateway. Given the disastrous start to the Chase, you can bet the #11 team will be looking to bounce back in a big way, and I’d expect Hamlin to run well on Sunday. With Christopher Bell finally getting back to Victory Lane, I wouldn’t be surprised to see another strong run out of the #20 either.
However, for my race winner pick, I’m circling back to the Penske Fords. Ryan Blaney is overdue for a win at this track, and I think the #12 gets it done on Sunday, cementing himself as the biggest threat to Denny Hamlin’s quest for his first Cup championship.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action this week!
Saturday 09/12
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice – 12:00 p.m. CT on the ESPN App
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying – 1:05 p.m. CT on the ESPN App
NASCAR Cup Series Practice – 2:30 p.m. CT on TruTV
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 3:35 p.m. CT on TruTV
Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) – 6:30 p.m. CT on the CW
Sunday 09/13
Enjoy Illinois 300 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 2:00 p.m. CT on USA and HBO Max
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