MADISON, ILL – September 7, 2025 – Anthony Holbrook
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs bracket shifts gears to the annual running of the Enjoy Illinois 300 hosted by the Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Playoff contender Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson lead the field to green for the chance to advance to the next level in 2025 Playoff grid.
Enjoy Illinois 300
Stage 1 Recap:
Denny Hamlin’s Hot Rod quicky claims the lead as challengers plot their plans. Kyle Larson will be the first to attest and gain the lead just over 7 laps in event.
Larsons stint at the front will be interrupted by Yellow as Kyle Bush’s caution slows down the field.
Multiple teams including Hamlin and Briscoe roll the dice and decline pit opportunities for track position.
A final Caution with 9 circuits in Stage 1 will hamper Josh Berry’s outlooks but allow teams to battle for a final dash for the checkers.
Chase Briscoe wards off any aggression and progression of a gritty Kyle Larson.
Honors bestowed to Briscoe defensive driving display along with Stage 1 Checkers and Valuable Playoff resume points.
Enjoy Illinois 300
Stage 1 Results:
1. Chase Briscoe
2. Kyle Larson
3. Denny Hamlin
4. William Byron
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Bubba Wallace
7. Christopher Bell
8. Ross Chastain
9. Zane Smith
10. Chase Elliott
Enjoy Illinois 300
Stage 2 Recap:
Kyle Larson headlines the front position for the first 30 Laps disposing any threats of his run at the top.
Ty Dillon’s caution flag splits the field as Larson hits pit row from the lead. To Larsons’ misfortune, half the field opts to stay out on track during Dillon’s yellow flag.
Bubba Wallace will throw his hand in the ring mingling within a striking distance for a Stage win.
A final Stage caution sets Bubba Wallace to overtake Brad Keselowski for the Stage 2 adulations at Gateway!
Enjoy Illinois 300
Stage 2 Results:
1. Bubba Wallace
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Joey Logano
4. Kyle Larson
5. Christopher Bell
6. Austin Dillon
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Chase Elliott
9. John Hunter Nemechek
10. Ross Chastain
Enjoy Illinois 300
Final Stage Recap:
Many teams plan to play the fuel-mile ratio game, extending their time on the track instead of time lost in pit service sequences. This will be found on lap 196 as Denny Hamlin surrenders his lead for green flag pit attention. Many other contenders attend also, scrambling the leader board. Teams of different pit sequence will control the post until newer tires prevail.
Denny works through encounters before rotating back to the front. Chase Briscoe and Brad Keselokski gallant efforts falls short to challenge Denny Hamlin for the lead on lap 225.
Denny wins with authority at WWT Raceway!
Enjoy Illinois 300
Final Stage Results:
Pos | Driver
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Chase Briscoe
3. Chase Elliott
4. Ryan Blaney
5. Joey Logano
6. John Hunter Nemechek
7. Christopher Bell
8. Bubba Wallace
9. Chris Buescher
10. Ty Gibbs
11. William Byron
12. Kyle Larson
13. Ryan Preece
14. Michael McDowell
15. Carson Hocevar
16. Tyler Reddick
17. Brad Keselowski
18. Austin Dillon
19. Austin Cindric
20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
21. Erik Jones
22. Kyle Busch
23. AJ Allmendinger
24. Ross Chastain
25. Shane van Gisbergen
26. Alex Bowman
27. Cole Custer
28. Justin Haley
29. Cody Ware
30. Noah Gragson
31. Riley Herbst
32. Todd Gilliland
33. Zane Smith
34. Ty Dillon
35. Daniel Suarez
36. Josh Berry
NASCAR Cup Series
Point Standings
(After Enjoy Illinois 300 (9/7/2025)
Race 2 of 3 in Round of 16
Pos | Driver | Wins
1.Denny Hamlin | 1 Win
2. Chase Briscoe | 1 Win
3. Kyle Larson | +60
4. Bubba Wallace | +50
5. Ryan Blaney | +42
6. William Byron | +39
7. Tyler Reddick | +37
8. Christopher Bell | +32
9. Chase Elliott | +28
10. Joey Logano | +21
10. Ross Chastain | +19
12. Austin Cindric | +11
— Cutline (Bristol) —
13. Austin Dillon | -11
13. Shane van Gisbergen | -15
15. Alex Bowman | -35
16. Josh Berry | -45
NASCAR Cup Series invades Thunder Mountain for the Annual Running of the –
Bass Pro Shop Night Race hosted by Bristol Motor Speedway:
Saturday, September 13, 2025
7:30 p.m. E.T.
(USA / PRN / SIRIUSXM – NASCAR Chanel 90 )