Denny Hamlin dominates Gateway, eyes 2025 title after a commanding performance at the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Leading 75 laps and securing another playoff advancement, Hamlin cemented his place among the year’s favorites with Joe Gibbs Racing and added momentum to a credible title pursuit.
Hamlin’s qualifying speed set him on pole for the weekend, and he followed it up by steering the No. 11 car to an authoritative win on Sunday, September 7. His efforts included winning the Xfinity Fastest Lap bonus point and leading more laps than any competitor during the event. With this triumph, Hamlin joins his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe as the first drivers to clinch spots in the playoff Round of 12, with Chase Elliott rounding out the top three finishers at Gateway.
Pivotal Moments and Hamlin’s Shifting Approach
This victory at Gateway marks Hamlin’s second consecutive pole position as the postseason opens, following a seventh-place run at Darlington Raceway. The consistency stands in contrast to recent pitfalls; though Hamlin has sometimes lacked reliable challengers, his form since returning from missing Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has intensified. Each season has carried hopes for Hamlin, but unforeseen turns have dashed title dreams before the Bill France Cup could be secured.
What makes 2025 different is an undercurrent of new determination and humility. Hamlin, with five series-leading wins so far—many coming in dominant fashion—has pursued a slightly quieter campaign, perhaps as a result of life changes off the track. In 2025, Hamlin missed the Mexico City race for the birth of his son with fiancée Jordan Fish, marking a significant family milestone as they now share three children. The celebration of his engagement and a new contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing—rumored as potentially his last—bookend a year of personal and professional transformation.
Financial shifts and adversity also colored the season’s opening. Joe Gibbs Racing entered 2025 without key sponsors FedEx and Mavis, stretching the organization’s resources and perhaps forcing a fresh focus. Additionally, a prominent lawsuit looms over the background of the team, making this one of the most eventful stretches of Hamlin’s career.
Despite the headline dominance of drivers such as Shane van Gisbergen on road courses, Hamlin’s steady performance has accumulated five wins, even while the Cup Series lacks a clear, runaway title favorite. While Connor Zilisch and Corey Heim are setting the pace in the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series respectively, Hamlin’s quest stands at the front of Cup Series competition.
The mentality around Hamlin seems more relaxed. Nearing 45 years old, Hamlin has expressed contentment simply in pursuing race victories rather than being measured solely by championship outcomes. Yet the results and performance echo successful playoff surges seen from the likes of Jimmie Johnson—a comparison that holds fresh intrigue as Hamlin progresses through the season. If current trends persist, 2025 could indeed be the year that finally delivers Hamlin the championship.
Strong Performances and Season Standouts
Joey Logano continued to exhibit a particular affinity for Gateway, matching his reputation as a top-five regular at the track. With all four Cup Series appearances at the 1.25-mile oval resulting in top-five finishes, Logano’s fifth place on Sunday provided much-needed encouragement to the No. 22 team, marking his fourth top-five run this season along with a win at Texas Motor Speedway. Despite past struggles and an average finish of 17.1 during his 2024 championship campaign, Logano’s consistent showings at Gateway have stood out among a competitive playoff field.
There’s only one driver who has finished in the top five in all three Cup Series races at @WWTRaceway.His name is @joeylogano. pic.twitter.com/fO0Da5fCMo— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 7, 2025
This latest Gateway top finish shows that when it comes to handling the Illinois oval for 300 miles, Logano remains one of the series’ best, continuing to build on his legacy at the venue.
Setbacks for Playoff Hopefuls and Painful Exits
While some drivers made headlines for strong results, others encountered more trouble. Josh Berry’s postseason woes grew after an early exit at Gateway. Though Berry’s No. 21 car made it through the race‘s opening lap, a collision with Chase Elliott sent him into the wall after only 35 circuits, leading to terminal suspension damage and another rough day for the team.
Contact with Chase Elliott sends Josh Berry into the wall and brings the second caution of the day. 🟨📺 USA Network pic.twitter.com/3QhRXBcZPQ— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 7, 2025
Berry’s playoff effort has been derailed; since the postseason’s onset, he has accumulated only three points and completed just 36 of a possible 607 laps spanning Darlington and Gateway. Now 45 points below the cut line, Berry finds himself in a must-win position if he is to keep championship aspirations alive as the series heads toward the final Round of 16 race.
Eye-Catching Car Designs Add Character to Race Weekend
Beyond the racing, unique paint schemes caught the eye of fans and competitors at Gateway. Over the summer, Dale Earnhardt Jr. garnered widespread attention after starring in an IHOP commercial, with his enthusiastic call for pancakes becoming an online sensation. This theme carried over to the race, as drivers and their sponsors used food-centric designs to liven up the field.
Who wants pancakes?! Dine-in, delivery or catering – breakfast moves fast at IHOP. Those world-famous pancakes get to the party even faster when I’m behind the wheel. Order @IHOP catering for all of your hosting needs. pic.twitter.com/VOYOCN40kM— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 25, 2025
But as fall approaches, Daniel Suarez and Trackhouse Racing brought a twist, with Choice Privileges presenting a No. 99 car wrapped in a golden waffle theme, topped with syrup. The creative livery stood out as one of the season’s most memorable designs, highlighted by media and fans alike as Suarez even treated reporters to breakfast courtesy of his sponsor. However, after starting 26th, Suarez finished deep in the order at 35th following early contact with Briscoe that forced his car into the wall between turns 1 and 2, cutting short what could have been a strong showing.
What Awaits the Championship Contenders
The NASCAR Cup Series now moves to Bristol Motor Speedway for the much-anticipated summer night race, a historic classic under the lights at Thunder Valley. This event is pivotal, concluding the Round of 16 and marking an end to the championship hopes for four competitors after 500 challenging laps. The anticipation intensifies, with fans looking to see which twelve will remain in the title chase.
Kyle Larson’s supporters, in particular, can look forward to Bristol’s main event. Larson has been nearly unbeatable there, with victories in both the previous two races at the Last Great Colosseum—leading a remarkable 873 out of the last 1,000 laps. The Bass Pro Shops Night Race is set to air Saturday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. ET, with USA Network providing television coverage and Performance Racing Network sharing the call on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
As the field narrows and the playoffs heat up, names like Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Chase Briscoe, and Shane van Gisbergen continue to shape the championship narrative. With every race taking on added meaning, the focus remains squarely on Hamlin, whose determination and circumstances have set the stage for what might be his long-awaited Cup Series triumph.
