World Wide Technology Raceway prepares for its fourth annual hosting of the NASCAR Cup Series with the Enjoy Illinois 300 set for Sunday afternoon. The 1.25-mile track, known for its unique shape and banking, will once again test the sport’s best. With 36 drivers entered and qualifying scheduled for Saturday, the lineup order promises early intrigue before the green flag drops. The field will be split into two groups, with Cody Ware leading Group A and AJ Allmendinger topping Group B.
Key Highlights
Fourth annual Enjoy Illinois 300 scheduled for Sunday, September 7 at 3 p.m. ET.
1.25-mile World Wide Technology Raceway track features 11-degree and 9-degree banking.
36 Cup drivers entered for the weekend’s 240-lap race.
Cody Ware leads Group A qualifying order; AJ Allmendinger leads Group B.
Practice and qualifying sessions set for Saturday, September 6.
Gateway Track and Race Details
World Wide Technology Raceway, located in Madison, Illinois, has quickly established itself as a staple in the Cup Series since joining the schedule in 2022. The 1.25-mile oval features tight turns with 11 degrees of banking in Turns 1 and 2 and nine degrees in Turns 3 and 4, creating unique challenges for teams.
Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 marks the 28th race of the 2025 Cup Series season, spanning 240 laps and expected to showcase tire management, strategy, and bold moves on restarts. Alongside the Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will also run this weekend, giving fans a double dose of competition.
Cup Series Qualifying Format and Groups
Cup Series qualifying at Gateway will take place on Saturday following practice, with sessions beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET and 5:40 p.m. ET. FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass revealed the qualifying order earlier in the week, highlighting two groups of 18 drivers.
Group A opens with Cody Ware, followed by Ty Dillon and Michael McDowell. Young names such as Riley Herbst and Zane Smith will join veterans Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, and Chris Buescher in pursuit of starting positions.
| S No. | Driver | Score |
| 1 | Cody Ware | 36.7 |
| 2 | Ty Dillon | 33.4 |
| 3 | Michael McDowell | 30.9 |
| 4 | Riley Herbst | 30.1 |
| 5 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 29.7 |
| 6 | Justin Haley | 27.9 |
| 7 | Todd Gilliland | 27.5 |
| 8 | Cole Custer | 26.7 |
| 9 | Daniel Suárez | 25.6 |
| 10 | Ty Gibbs | 21.4 |
| 11 | Noah Gragson | 20 |
| 12 | Zane Smith | 17.5 |
| 13 | Brad Keselowski | 17.4 |
| 14 | Ryan Preece | 16.6 |
| 15 | Carson Hocevar | 13.8 |
| 16 | Chris Buescher | 12.1 |
| 17 | Kyle Busch | 11.3 |
| 18 | John Hunter Nemechek | 10 |
Group B will be led by AJ Allmendinger, with Erik Jones following, while playoff contenders like Josh Berry, Alex Bowman, Shane van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, William Byron, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Briscoe make up the balance.
| S No. | Driver | Score |
| 1 | AJ Allmendinger | 9.8 |
| 2 | Erik Jones | 8.7 |
| 3 | Josh Berry (P) | 31.4 |
| 4 | Alex Bowman (P) | 26.2 |
| 5 | Shane van Gisbergen (P) | 26 |
| 6 | Christopher Bell (P) | 23.3 |
| 7 | Austin Dillon (P) | 20.3 |
| 8 | Joey Logano (P) | 17.9 |
| 9 | William Byron (P) | 16.5 |
| 10 | Chase Elliott (P) | 15.2 |
| 11 | Ryan Blaney (P) | 14.7 |
| 12 | Kyle Larson (P) | 14.2 |
| 13 | Austin Cindric (P) | 11.1 |
| 14 | Ross Chastain (P) | 10.1 |
| 15 | Bubba Wallace (P) | 5.7 |
| 16 | Denny Hamlin (P) | 5.5 |
| 17 | Tyler Reddick (P) | 2.6 |
| 18 | Chase Briscoe (P) | 1 |
Both groups will turn qualifying laps to determine which drivers advance into the final round and secure top starting spots. The system places immediate pressure on drivers to execute, with every tenth of a second making a difference at the flat Gateway oval.
Playoff Drivers Spotlight
The Enjoy Illinois 300 carries added weight as it arrives during the playoffs, where every point counts. A majority of Group B features playoff contenders, including championship hopefuls like William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Larson. Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe will look to rebound from recent struggles with strong starting positions, while Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace seek to maximize their playoff momentum.
Veterans such as Joey Logano and Christopher Bell have historically found success at flat tracks, while newcomers like Shane van Gisbergen face the challenge of adapting their styles to the tight Gateway corners. With Cody Ware and AJ Allmendinger leading the two groups, the qualifying battle is poised to highlight the mix of seasoned stars, playoff contenders, and up-and-coming drivers.
News in Brief: Qualifying Order Set for 2025 Enjoy Illinois 300
World Wide Technology Raceway will host the 2025 Enjoy Illinois 300, the 28th NASCAR Cup Series race of the season, on Sunday, September 7 at 3 p.m. ET. The 240-lap event features 36 drivers. Practice and qualifying will take place Saturday, with Cody Ware leading Group A and AJ Allmendinger leading Group B. The 1.25-mile track’s tight corners and unique banking add to the challenge. Playoff contenders including William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick will seek strong starting positions.
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