The NASCAR Cup Series continues in the Chase with the Enjoy Illinois 300 on Sept. 13 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
The 1.25-mile oval is a unique track in the 10-race Chase, with the flat surface putting an emphasis on handling.
Last year's Gateway race may have been a precursor to the 2026 season as a whole; Toyotas swept the stages while Denny Hamlin won the race
Christopher Bell moved to second in points with his win at Darlington last week.
Here are The Tennessean's expert picks for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Gateway:
NASCAR predictions for Gateway Cup Series race: Here's who wins the Enjoy Illinois 300
Mike Organ's pick: Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Racing Ford
Cindric needs to make a big move in the Chase and World Wide Technology Raceway is the perfect place for him to do it. Fords are competitive again with Toyotas and Cindric won there in 2024.
Nick Gray's pick: Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Joey Logano may not win the
championship, but he's going to hang around a lot longer than most.
Tom Kreager's pick: Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
This just seems like a race Logano finds a way to win. He has four top-five finishes in four starts at Gateway in the Cup Series, including a win in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Gateway predictions 2026, expert picks for Enjoy Illinois 300 Cup race
