The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs rolled into Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, for the second postseason event of 2025. Known for its tight corners, narrow pit road, and history of hard-fought battles, the track once again delivered on the promise of unpredictability. Denny Hamlin, starting from pole, overcame challenges from Kyle Larson, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, and Joey Logano to secure his 59th career victory and a coveted place in the Round of 12.
Key Highlights
Denny Hamlin scored his 59th Cup Series win, becoming the fourth different winner in four years at Gateway.
Chase Briscoe won Stage 1, while Bubba Wallace captured Stage 2.
Incidents included spins for Kyle Busch, crashes for Josh Berry and Ty Dillon, and contact between Larson and Ryan Blaney.
Strategy plays on pit road shuffled the lead multiple times, with Hamlin ultimately prevailing.
Hamlin’s victory ensured a spot in the Round of 12, following Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Briscoe’s win the previous week.
Stage 1: Chase Briscoe Shows Strength Early
The opening laps set the tone with Hamlin and Larson dueling at the front. Larson’s car showed impressive middle-corner speed, but the race’s first caution arrived after Kyle Busch spun while pushing hard inside the top 10.
The restart shuffled the order, and despite Larson charging back through the pack, Chase Briscoe established himself as a force. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver, already secure in the next round, made it clear he wasn’t backing down. Briscoe muscled past Hamlin and Larson in the closing laps of the stage, taking the win and sending a message that momentum mattered just as much as points.
Behind him, Chase Elliott snatched the final stage point, avoiding contact during Josh Berry’s crash that ended the No. 21 team’s night early. Berry, who also crashed in the playoff opener, left Gateway with his postseason hopes in deep trouble.
Stage 2: Wallace Capitalizes in the Chaos
The second stage delivered even more fireworks. Daniel Suárez locked up his brakes and hit the wall in turn one, forcing pit strategies into play. Briscoe, the stage one winner, suffered a lengthy stop when his crew struggled with a stubborn left-rear tire, costing him valuable track position.
Bubba Wallace seized the opportunity. Restarting in prime position, Wallace’s McDonald’s-backed Toyota surged forward, holding off veterans Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski in a furious late-stage sprint. With bold moves and perfect timing, Wallace crossed the line first, scoring a crucial stage victory and proving his playoff readiness.
Meanwhile, tempers flared further back. Larson slid up into Ryan Blaney, sparking frustration from the Team Penske driver. Ty Dillon’s afternoon also unraveled, as separate incidents — including contact with his brother Austin — put him into the wall twice before mechanical issues ended his day.
Strategy Battles and Pit Road Drama
Stage three began with Wallace leading the field, but the balance of power quickly shifted. Logano surged to the front, while Hamlin worked traffic with precision. Shane van Gisbergen’s playoff run hit trouble after light wall contact, though he was able to continue.
The race’s complexion changed during green-flag pit cycles. Hamlin and Logano traded the lead with differing strategies, while Briscoe briefly cycled to the front on two tires. The timing of a caution during Ty Dillon’s second crash caused confusion, jumbling the order and trapping several contenders a lap down.
Hamlin’s crew executed flawlessly during their stop, and he reemerged among the leaders. From that point forward, it became clear the No. 11 Toyota was the car to beat.
Closing Laps: Denny Hamlin Seals the Deal
With fewer than 30 laps to go, Hamlin’s speed on fresh tires gave him the edge over Briscoe and Elliott. Brad Keselowski, who tried to stretch older tires, could not hold off the faster cars and slipped backward.
Elliott, making his 350th start with Hendrick Motorsports, climbed into the top five despite admitting Gateway has never been a track that suited his driving style. Briscoe continued to press, refusing to give Hamlin an easy victory, but the pole sitter had too much pace in clean air.
As the laps wound down, Hamlin stretched his advantage. He crossed the finish line more than a second clear, finally breaking through at a track where he had finished runner-up the previous two seasons. His massive burnout drew cheers and boos in equal measure, a sign of his polarizing status among fans.
News in Brief: NASCAR Cup Gateway Playoff Race Highlights
Denny Hamlin’s win at Gateway marked his 59th career Cup Series victory and locked him into the Round of 12. The result also gave Toyota its 200th Cup win, adding to Joe Gibbs Racing’s strong playoff start after Chase Briscoe’s Darlington triumph. Stage wins went to Briscoe (Stage 1) and Wallace (Stage 2), both of whom remain serious threats in the postseason. Kyle Busch, Josh Berry, and Ty Dillon all suffered setbacks, while Elliott and Keselowski gained valuable points. With Hamlin’s breakthrough, the first two playoff races have both gone to JGR drivers, signaling strong momentum for the organization heading deeper into the postseason.
ALSO READ: Enjoy Illinois 300 Predictions: A peek into Stats, Track and Top Contenders
