The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the World Wide Technology Raceway for the Enjoy Illinois 300 on Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m. ET, as the postseason Chase continues. Here’s how to watch it for free.
How to watch the NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 airs on USA Network, and streams live on DIRECTV (free trial).
What: Enjoy Illinois 300, a NASCAR Cup Series Race
When: Sunday, September 13
Where: World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Illinois
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: USA Network
Live stream: DIRECTV (free trial), Sling, Hulu + Live TV, HBO Max
DIRECTV
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What to know about the Enjoy Illinois 300Joey Logano’s best chance yet?
Few drivers enter Sunday’s playoff race with more momentum than Joey Logano. The three-time Cup Series champion earned the pole position after posting the fastest lap in qualifying, giving him a valuable advantage at a track where starting up front has often translated into success.
Logano arrives after winning two of the last seven races and has a strong history at Gateway. He won the track’s inaugural Cup Series race in 2022 and has finished in the top five in each of the last three visits. Just as importantly, he’ll have the first pit stall on one of the narrowest pit roads on the schedule. With his championship hopes gaining steam, this feels like one of the most important opportunities of the opening playoff round.
Christopher Bell brings winning momentum
While Logano starts first, Christopher Bell may be the driver carrying the most confidence into Sunday. Bell opened the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs by passing Kyle Larson late to score his first victory of the season, immediately locking himself into the Round of 12 and establishing himself as a serious title contender.
Several other playoff drivers also qualified near the front, including Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace. Defending race winner Denny Hamlin starts 10th after winning this event from the pole a year ago, while Tyler Reddick faces more work from 18th.
Why track position matters so much
Gateway has quickly developed a reputation as a track where qualifying can make or break a race. Three of the four previous winners started on the front row, including Hamlin last season and Kyle Busch in 2023. Austin Cindric won from second in 2024.
That history puts extra attention on Sunday’s starting lineup. Logano is the only previous Gateway winner to reach Victory Lane from outside the front row, and with passing often difficult, clean air and pit-road position could prove decisive. As the playoff pressure ramps up, the drivers who qualified near the front may already have the upper hand in the race to advance.