The NASCAR Cup series visited the Global Technology Circuit, commonly known as the Gateway, for the first time today. Located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, the venue has waited nearly a quarter of a century for the day to host its first Cup Series race. The Enjoy Illinois 300 was the first event to sell out the Gateway in the track’s history.
Stewart-Haas’ Chase Briscoe took pole and led the race from the first 27 laps before suffering a puncture. Stop point for new tires sent Briscoe a lap. He finished in 24th place on the lead round.
Trackhouse’s Ross Chastain became enemy number one after filming Chase Elliott and shoving Denny Hamlin against a wall. No driver hesitant in retaliation when Elliott later bumped Chastain into the wall of Turn 2, and Hamlin joined the action. Chastain apologized for driving after the race, knowing his future punishment would come on track from his rivals.
The closing rounds revolved around a three-way win-win between Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch, Penske’s Joey Logano and his teammate Ryan Blaney. Logano clings to Busch’s rear bumper, trying to go with the leader. Then, a brake hit sent Kevin Harvick’s Mustang into the outer wall in Round 3, sending the race into extra time.
Kyle Busch decides to restart in the outer lane, and Logano rushes into Turn 1, sliding ahead of Busch. Busch was knocked down inside Logano, and the pair went door-to-door down to the backseat. Busch can’t Keep his car low in Turn 3, push up the track and open the door for Logano to drive the final lap safely to the winning lane.
Race results – Top 10
- Joey Logano
- Kyle Busch
- Kurt Busch
- Ryan Blaney
- Aric Almirola
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Erik Jones
- Ross Chastain
- Christopher Bell
- AJ Allmendinger
