Sep 7, 2025; Madison, Illinois, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates after winning the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

The NASCAR Cup Series competed at World Wide Technology Raceway, and Toyota dominated the day. Chase Briscoe won Stage 1, while Bubba Wallace won Stage 2; however, neither went to victory lane. Christopher Bell appeared to have the best car, but it was his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate who claimed a spot in the Round of 12.

Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 team for Joe Gibbs Racing won the Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway, earning their fifth victory of the 2025 Cup Series season. Hamlin was able to get out front due to pit strategy before the final caution. The driver of the No. 11 car cleared Briscoe on the restart and set sail over the last 20 laps.

It was a big win for Hamlin, who now joins Briscoe in the Round of 12. Either way, Hamlin would have been in a great spot to make the next round; however, this gives the Joe Gibbs Racing driver the ability to race for the win at Bristol Motor Speedway. Hamlin has been strong to start the 2025 NASCAR playoffs and will likely continue moving forward.

NASCAR results: Cup Series playoff race at World Wide Technology Raceway (September 2025)

  1. No. 11 Denny Hamlin (P)
  2. No. 19 Chase Briscoe (P)
  3. No. 9 Chase Elliott (P)
  4. No. 12 Ryan Blaney (P)
  5. No. 22 Joey Logano (P)
  6. No. 42 John Hunter Nemechek
  7. No. 20 Christopher Bell (P)
  8. No. 23 Bubba Wallace (P)
  9. No. 17 Chris Buescher
  10. No. 54 Ty Gibbs
  11. No. 24 William Byron (P)
  12. No. 5 Kyle Larson (P)
  13. No. 60 Ryan Preece
  14. No. 71 Michael McDowell
  15. No. 77 Carson Hocevar
  16. No. 45 Tyler Reddick (P)
  17. No. 6 Brad Keselowski
  18. No. 3 Austin Dillon (P)
  19. No. 2 Austin Cindric (P)
  20. No. 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  21. No. 43 Erik Jones
  22. No. 8 Kyle Busch
  23. No. 16 A.J. Allmendinger
  24. No. 1 Ross Chastain (P)
  25. No. 88 Shane van Gisbergen (P)
  26. No. 48 Alex Bowman (P)
  27. No. 41 Cole Custer
  28. No. 7 Justin Haley
  29. No. 51 Cody Ware
  30. No. 4 Noah Gragson
  31. No. 35 Riley Herbst
  32. No. 34 Todd Gilliland
  33. No. 38 Zane Smith
  34. No. 10 Ty Dillon
  35. No. 99 Daniel Suarez
  36. No. 21 Josh Berry (P)

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Denny Hamlin wins NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Gateway in 2025

Reporting by Austin Konenski, Motorsports Wire / Motorsports Wire

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