Denny Hamlin wins NASCAR Cup Series at the Enjoy Illinois 300, overtaking Brad Keselowski in the final laps at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. This dramatic victory not only marks Hamlin’s 59th career triumph but also celebrates Toyota’s 200th win since entering the series in 2007.
Key Moments From the Enjoy Illinois 300
Hamlin capitalized on a crucial restart at lap 215, seizing the lead from Brad Keselowski at the 1.25-mile oval in Madison after a late caution involving Ty Dillon sent the race into a tense finish. As Ty Dillon’s car hit the wall during lap 210, the field was reshuffled in the midst of green-flag pit cycles. Hamlin, having completed his pit stop, returned to the lead lap to restart beside Keselowski, where he made his decisive move for victory and maintained his position ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe.
This win was Hamlin’s fifth of the 2025 season and marks his fifth time recording at least five wins in a single year. His performance continues a strong legacy, with Hamlin closing in on Kevin Harvick’s record as he approaches the tenth spot on the Cup Series all-time wins list. Despite nearing his 45th birthday, Hamlin remains a central figure among Cup Series drivers.
Drivers React to High-Stakes Finish
With emotions running high during the victory celebration, Hamlin expressed his gratitude to his team and family, underscoring the significance of the win for both himself and Toyota.
“Yeah, it’s so big for everyone at Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing,”
Hamlin said.
“The Toyota was just great there at the end. And so happy to get this victory and my dad’s not feeling well at home. So just shoutout to him, the whole family’s here, so fantastic day and it couldn’t be better.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
The crowd response was mixed, yet Hamlin embraced the intensity, reveling in both cheers and boos amid the lively celebration.
“Man, it’s just a great victory. Love that Denny Time flag, the poster is pretty good. You all can boo me, but you can either get on the bandwagon, or you can get run over by it.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Reflecting on his career resilience and approach, Hamlin noted,
“I mean, all I can do is just keep being a student of the game, keep trying to get better, and every week is a chance to get a little better. I just told [Grand Marshal Bill Murray] to talk to the guys behind me and make sure they stay behind me the rest of the race. So we made that happen.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Chase Briscoe and Field’s Notable Performances
Chase Briscoe, who recently claimed victory at the Cook Out Southern 500, finished second for Joe Gibbs Racing in what was a turbulent race that saw him recover from early setbacks. His run-in with Daniel Suarez and a pit road miscue left him outside the top 30 at one stage, but a two-tire call on the final green-flag stop propelled him back into contention.
Briscoe evaluated his team’s effort positively, recognizing both strengths and areas for improvement.
“I would say our strength was our speed,”
Briscoe noted. He added,
“Great recovery. James [Small] did an amazing job of doing something different to get us up there, would have loved to battle up there and potentially try to be everybody’s favorite driver for Toyota’s 200th win. I was at a tire deficit. I thought our car, for having the tire deficit and everything else, showed how good it was.”
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Chase Elliott secured a third-place finish, followed by Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano rounding out the top five. Briscoe and Hamlin have now clinched spots in the upcoming Round of 12 of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, ensuring their championship aspirations remain intact.
What Lies Ahead for NASCAR Cup Series Drivers
With the conclusion of the Enjoy Illinois 300, focus shifts to the looming Round of 16 finale at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, set to take place at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13. Coverage will be available via USA Network, the Performance Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. As the playoffs intensify and additional drivers aim to secure their place in the next round, the competitive stakes remain high across the series.
