The Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway was a mix of strategy, tension, and playoff drama. From the pole to the checkered flag, Denny Hamlin proved unshakable, capturing his 59th career NASCAR Cup Series victory and fifth win of the 2025 season. In front of a sold-out crowd, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver secured Toyota’s 200th Cup win and advanced to the Round of 12, leaving behind a chorus of boos and the echoes of shifting playoff fortunes.
Key Highlights
Denny Hamlin won his 59th Cup race and fifth of 2025, locking into the Round of 12.
Chase Briscoe finished second, 1.620 seconds behind his JGR teammate.
Playoff drivers Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano rounded out the top five.
Bubba Wallace won Stage 2, while Briscoe captured Stage 1.
The race featured 15 lead changes, 10 cautions, and post-race inspection with no issues.
Denny Hamlin Controls Gateway
Starting from pole, Hamlin delivered a commanding performance that shifted the playoff picture. His decisive pass after the Lap 216 restart allowed him to hold control until the checkered flag. The victory marked his first at Gateway and brought him within one win of Kevin Harvick for 10th on the all-time list. Yet the crowd reaction was unmistakable.
“You can either get on the bandwagon or get run over by it.” – Denny Hamlin
Despite boos, Hamlin’s place in the championship chase looks firm. He credited both his team and manufacturer for delivering on a crucial day.
“Yeah, it’s so big for everyone at Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. Progressive Toyota was great there at the end. So happy to get this victory. My dad’s not feeling well at home. Just shout-out to him… Fantastic day. Man, couldn’t be better.” – Denny Hamlin
With a nod to pre-race grand marshal Bill Murray, who joked with him on the grid, Hamlin emphasized that his focus never wavered. The result left no doubt—Hamlin is a frontrunner for the title still missing from his career.
Briscoe, Elliott, Blaney and Logano Anchor Playoff Field
Chase Briscoe, already locked into the Round of 12 after Darlington, overcame a pit-road issue to claim second place.
“I would say our strength was our speed. We had a really good Bass Pro Shops Toyota. Our weakness was just the sloppiness, right? Whether it was me behind the wheel or pit road. I don’t know what the left-rear issue was.” – Chase Briscoe
Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano rounded out the top five in a race where playoff contenders dominated the front. For Logano, it marked his fourth straight top-five, unmatched by any other driver this season. Bubba Wallace added a stage win and eighth-place finish, while Christopher Bell ran consistently to seventh.
The day also brought friction between contenders. Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney made contact late in Stage 2, leaving Blaney frustrated despite his fourth-place finish.
“I just wanted to know what I did to deserve it. He just said he made a mistake. That’s fine. Make mistakes. But like at the end of the day, I still got turned.” – Ryan Blaney
Larson admitted fault afterward.
“Yeah, all on me. But wasn’t intentional at all. I hope he understands that. Obviously, I hurt his day where he could have gained more points.” – Kyle Larson
Elimination Picture Grows Clearer
While the front of the field celebrated, struggles at Gateway deepened the playoff cut-line drama. Austin Cindric clung to 12th in the standings with a 19th-place finish, 11 points clear of Austin Dillon. Four-time winner Shane van Gisbergen slipped 15 points below the elimination line after a spin relegated him to 25th. Alex Bowman’s 26th-place finish left him 35 points behind the cut, while Josh Berry’s crash and last-place run placed him 45 points out, needing a Bristol miracle.
| Fin | Driver | Diff |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denny Hamlin (P) | — |
| 2 | Chase Briscoe (P) | 1.620 |
| 3 | Chase Elliott (P) | 2.236 |
| 4 | Ryan Blaney (P) | 2.748 |
| 5 | Joey Logano (P) | 5.540 |
| 6 | John Hunter Nemechek | 5.966 |
| 7 | Christopher Bell (P) | 6.401 |
| 8 | Bubba Wallace (P) | 8.469 |
| 9 | Chris Buescher | 9.004 |
| 10 | Ty Gibbs | 10.492 |
| 11 | William Byron (P) | 10.753 |
| 12 | Kyle Larson (P) | 10.755 |
| 13 | Ryan Preece | 12.797 |
| 14 | Michael McDowell | 13.206 |
| 15 | Carson Hocevar | 14.384 |
| 16 | Tyler Reddick (P) | 14.484 |
| 17 | Brad Keselowski | 14.991 |
| 18 | Austin Dillon (P) | 15.040 |
| 19 | Austin Cindric (P) | 15.238 |
| 20 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 16.148 |
| 21 | Erik Jones | 16.994 |
| 22 | Kyle Busch | 17.603 |
| 23 | AJ Allmendinger | 17.818 |
| 24 | Ross Chastain (P) | 18.548 |
| 25 | Shane van Gisbergen (P) # | 18.721 |
| 26 | Alex Bowman (P) | 19.786 |
| 27 | Cole Custer | 20.669 |
| 28 | Justin Haley | 22.114 |
| 29 | Cody Ware | 22.689 |
| 30 | Noah Gragson | 1 lap |
| 31 | Riley Herbst # | 1 lap |
| 32 | Todd Gilliland | 1 lap |
| 33 | Zane Smith | 1 lap |
| 34 | Ty Dillon | Out |
| 35 | Daniel Suarez | Out |
| 36 | Josh Berry (P) | Out |
The race’s attrition and strategies widened the gap between contenders and those on the brink. For some, Gateway was a springboard; for others, it set up desperation at Bristol. With four drivers set for elimination after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, the pressure only intensifies.
News in Brief: 2025 Enjoy Illinois 300 Full Results
Denny Hamlin earned his 59th Cup victory at Gateway, leading 75 laps and securing his spot in the Round of 12. Chase Briscoe finished second, with Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano completing a playoff-filled top five. Bubba Wallace and Briscoe captured stage wins, while cautions and pit cycles shaped strategy. Hamlin’s triumph was Toyota’s 200th win. Below the cut line, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry face elimination danger.
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