Denny Hamlin Wins Enjoy Illinois 300, Advances in NASCAR Playoffs

Denny Hamlin won the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway, securing his fifth NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season and locking himself into the playoffs Round of 12. This victory was Toyota Motorsports' 200th NASCAR Cup Series win, with Hamlin now just one win shy of the top 10 all-time NASCAR winners. Hamlin started on pole and led 75 laps, demonstrating strong performance despite some pit cycle shuffles. His teammate Chase Briscoe finished second, despite some tire issues, while Chase Elliott claimed third place for his best finish at the track. Other notable performances included Bubba Wallace winning Stage 2 and finishing eighth, while Josh Berry suffered another early exit, jeopardizing his playoff chances. The win solidifies Hamlin and Briscoe's advancement to the next playoff round, with several other Toyota drivers holding strong positions, as the NASCAR Cup Series moves on to the next race at Bristol Motor Speedway.