Chase Elliott on renewed excitement heading into the NASCAR playoffs
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott said the regular season can get long and drawn out, making the playoffs something to look forward to.
Denny Hamlin claimed his fifth victory of the season by winning the NASCAR Gateway race at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis on Sept. 7 and securing his spot in the Round of 12 in the playoffs.
It was Hamlin’s 59th career win. He is now one win behind Kevin Harvick at 10th all-time in Cup victories.
Hamlin, 44, had finished second in the Enjoy Illinois 300 each of the last two seasons. He led 75 of the 240 laps on Sept. 7.
It means Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have won the first two races of the playoffs with Chase Briscoe winning last week at Darlington. The race has had four different winners in its four years.
Chase Briscoe finished second and Chase Elliott was third.
Ryan Blaney, who was wrecked during Stage 3 by Kyle Larson, was fourth and Joey Logano was fifth. Bubba Wallace, who led 73 laps, finished eighth.
Who won NASCAR Gateway race? Race winner for the Enjoy Illinois 300
Here are the unofficial results for the NASCAR Gateway race at World Wide Technology Raceway:
- Denny Hamlin, No. 11, 23XI Racing Toyota
- Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
- Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
- Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
- Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
- Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
- Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
- Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
- Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
- AJ Allmendinger, No. 1 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
- Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
- Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
- Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Riley Herbst, No, 35, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
- Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
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