Denny Hamlin proved unstoppable in qualifying once again, capturing the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. His run marked the second straight playoff weekend where the veteran driver starts from the front, setting up another chance to control the early stages of a high-stakes event. With Toyota still chasing its 200th Cup Series victory, Hamlin’s effort also tied him with Hall of Famer Junior Johnson for 11th on the all-time poles list.
Key Highlights
Denny Hamlin earned his 46th career Cup Series pole, third this season, and first at Gateway.
His lap at 139.190 mph was 0.021 seconds faster than Kyle Larson, who starts second.
Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, and Ryan Blaney completed the top five starters.
William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Austin Cindric, and Zane Smith filled out the top 10.
Playoff drivers outside the top 10 include Josh Berry (12th), Joey Logano (13th), Bubba Wallace (14th), and Chase Elliott (19th).
Denny Hamlin Continues Playoff Qualifying Perfection
For Hamlin, qualifying at Gateway showcased the precision of Joe Gibbs Racing. He and his team capitalized on adjustments between practice and time trials, securing his second consecutive pole of the postseason. His lap of 32.330 seconds at 139.190 mph gave him just enough edge over Kyle Larson, who had participated in a Goodyear tire test at the track earlier this year. The result also delivered Toyota’s first-ever Cup Series pole at Gateway.
“We were able to, very similarly to last week, make some great adjustments from where we were in practice. And again, there is so much that is different from practice to qualifying when you’re going for one lap. Air pressures at a track like this are dramatically different, certainly, the intensity from which I drive is a lot different in practice than qualifying. They gave me all of the adjustments that I needed to have a really good-handling car there, and we were able to capitalize on it.” – Denny Hamlin
Hamlin’s achievement placed him level with Junior Johnson’s career pole total at 46, while also highlighting the potential of his No. 11 Toyota to control the opening stages of Sunday’s race. Despite his history of not always converting poles into victories, the performance reinforced his standing as a serious title contender.
Strong Efforts From Larson and Briscoe
Starting alongside Hamlin will be Kyle Larson, who came up just short but still displayed speed that carried over from his previous testing experience at the 1.25-mile track. His 32.351-second run at 139.099 mph was competitive enough to secure the front-row position and make him a direct challenger for Sunday’s race. Chase Briscoe, fresh off his Darlington win that opened the playoffs, qualified third with a 32.397-second lap. Sitting second in the points standings, Briscoe continues to demonstrate consistency when it matters most.
Ross Chastain and Ryan Blaney locked down the fourth and fifth starting spots. Blaney’s effort was particularly notable, as he will bring the fastest Ford to the front of the grid, armed with confidence after winning last year at Iowa on the same tire compound being used at Gateway.
Playoff Stakes Intensify at Gateway
The Gateway weekend comes with heightened playoff pressure, and the starting lineup reflects just how competitive the field has become. With nine playoff drivers inside the top 10, Sunday’s race is likely to feature fierce battles among championship hopefuls.
| Driver | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Denny Hamlin | 32.330 | 139.180 |
| Kyle Larson | 32.351 | 139.099 |
| Chase Briscoe | 32.397 | 139.190 |
| Ross Chastain | 32.408 | 138.855 |
| Ryan Blaney | 32.432 | 138.752 |
| William Byron | 32.467 | 138.602 |
| Tyler Reddick | 32.501 | 138.457 |
| Christopher Bell | 32.512 | 138.410 |
| Austin Cindric | 32.351 | 138.160 |
| Zane Smith | 32.674 | 137.724 |
| Chris Buescher | 32.689 | 137.661 |
| Josh Berry | 32.698 | 137.623 |
| Joey Logano | 32.719 | 137.535 |
| Bubba Wallace | 32.739 | 137.451 |
| Austin Dillon | 32.757 | 137.375 |
| Erik Jones | 32.760 | 137.363 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 32.764 | 137.346 |
| Shane van Gisbergen | 32.765 | 137.342 |
| Chase Elliott | 32.799 | 137.199 |
| John Hunter Nemechek | 32.852 | 136.978 |
| Ty Gibbs | 32.889 | 136.824 |
| Kyle Busch | 32.952 | 136.562 |
| Brad Keselowski | 32.957 | 136.542 |
| Noah Gragson | 32.993 | 136.393 |
| Alex Bowman | 33.005 | 136.343 |
| Daniel Suarez | 33.038 | 136.207 |
| Carson Hocevar | 33.133 | 135.816 |
| Michael McDowell | 33.197 | 135.554 |
| Cole Custer | 33.201 | 135.538 |
| Todd Gilliland | 33.230 | 135.420 |
| Justin Haley | 33.252 | 135.330 |
| Ryan Preece | 33.282 | 135.208 |
| Riley Herbst | 33.417 | 134.662 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 33.538 | 134.176 |
| Ty Dillon | 33.635 | 133.789 |
| Cody Ware | 33.650 | 133.730 |
Josh Berry, who sits 19 points below the cutline after finishing last at Darlington, will start 12th. Joey Logano, winner at Gateway in 2022 and currently three points below the elimination line, rolls off from 13th. Bubba Wallace (14th), Austin Dillon (15th), Shane van Gisbergen (18th), Chase Elliott (19th), and Alex Bowman (25th) all start deeper in the field, facing the task of racing forward to stay alive in the playoff hunt.
Practice at Gateway was highlighted by Ty Gibbs topping the charts at 136.786 mph, with Larson close behind. Brad Keselowski, Carson Hocevar, and Todd Gilliland filled the rest of the practice top five. Austin Cindric, who qualified ninth, had a scrape with the wall during practice but carried on with mostly cosmetic damage.
With Hamlin, Larson, and Briscoe leading the pack, the Enjoy Illinois 300 is shaping up to be a pivotal race in the postseason story, one where track position and pit execution may decide who survives and thrives in the Round of 16.
News in Brief: NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 Starting Order
Denny Hamlin secured his second straight NASCAR Cup Series playoff pole, edging Kyle Larson for the top spot at World Wide Technology Raceway. His 46th career pole ties him with Junior Johnson and gives Toyota its first pole at Gateway. Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, and Ryan Blaney completed the top five starters. Nine playoff drivers qualified inside the top 10, while others like Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, and Chase Elliott start deeper in the field. The Enjoy Illinois 300 runs Sunday, September 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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