Enjoy Illinois 300

Joey Logano and Kyle Larson made up the front row for the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Personally, I’m not sure what drivers expected before the green flag, but I don’t feel like they anticipated the chaos that ensued.

Stage 1

As the race got underway, drivers were beating and banging throughout the field. The first caution came early, on Lap 6, as Riley Herbst went for a spin.

(Photo Credit: World Wide Technology Raceway | Facebook)

Logano and Christopher Bell led the field to green on Lap 11, and drivers took it three-wide throughout the field. Ultimately, Ryan Blaney was in the catbird seat to give Logano a run for his money. Before he could make a move, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. brought out the next caution when he got loose on the backstretch.

Logano and Blaney restarted things on Lap 20, and once again the No. 22 shot ahead with the lead. Before the lap was completed, the third caution waved. This time, Daniel Suarez, Cody Ware, Noah Gragson, and others were all collected.

The Nos. 22 and 12 once again brought the field to green, with Logano getting the better launch. Within two laps, the caution was once again in the air. This time, Shane Van Gisbergen was the culprit.

With 13 to go in the stage, Logano and Blaney got the action resumed, with Logano getting the better of his teammate.

A caution-filled stage finally came to a close with Logano as the winner.

(Photo Credit: Roush Yates Engines | X)

Stage 2

The start of the second stage saw a shake-up in the leaders. Brad Keselowski and John Hunter Nemechek opted to stay on track during the break and brought the field to green. Throughout the field, drivers went three- and four-wide. After contact from Ty Gibbs, Erik Jones brought out the next caution on Lap 56.

Keselowski and Nemechek once again brought the field to green. Before Keselowski could put much distance between his machine and the field, the caution was out – again. This time for Herbst and an innocent bystander, AJ Allmendinger.

For the Lap 70 restart, Ross Chastain and Jones were out front, and Chastain quickly separated himself from the field.

Within 10 laps, Larson was on Chastain’s bumper. Lap 81 brought Larson to P1. He proceeded to put nearly three seconds on the field as drivers finally settled into a long green-flag run.

With 30 to go, radio chatter started to focus on fuel. Nineteen laps later, Chastain took to pit road for a green-flag stop. One lap later, the caution waved, and the stage ended as Zane Smith blew a rotor and slammed the wall.

Per the new “if a caution comes within 10 laps of the end of a stage” rule, this caution ended the stage with Larson in the lead.

Stage 3

Logano and Larson started the final stage out front while the field went four-wide, and, of course, brought out the caution. This time, Chase Briscoe and Bubba Wallace were the instigators who collected numerous other cars.

The same duo restarted things on Lap 149 with Logano getting the better launch. Keselowski got around Larson and was soon battling Logano for the lead.

Lap 155 brought the next caution as Blaney had a brake failure and rode the wall.

Josh Berry joined Larson on the front row to mix it up a bit, but out of nowhere, Hamlin inserted himself into the conversation. Berry took the lead, but Keselowski quickly challenged the No. 21.

Directly behind these two who were banging doors, Logano and Carson Hocevar were eyeing the chaos.

Logano worked around Berry, but Chastain went for a spin and, you guessed it, brought out the caution.

With 66 to go, Keselowski and Logano restarted the race. Drivers once again went three- and four-wide, but Herbst brought out another caution.

With 59 to go, Keselowski and Logano were out front, and the No. 22 cleared his former teammate for the lead.

They made it 17 laps before the caution waved again. This time, Gragson was added to the list of drivers with brake issues, and the break in action brought the majority of the field to pit road with a variety of strategies.

Keselowski and Gibbs remained on track and restarted out front. They took the green with 35 to go, and Keselowski shot ahead.

30 to Go

Drivers mixed it up behind the leaders, but managed to keep the race green. However, three laps later, there was another huge crash with Briscoe and Chase Elliott. It appeared to be another brake issue, this time for the No. 9.

With 20 to go, the Nos. 22 and 6 were out front again. And after going three-wide for a couple of laps, the caution waved again. This incident brought a great deal of carnage and saw Tyler Reddick nearly go airborne.

Drivers took 13 to go with Larson and Logano out front, but the 16th caution of the day quickly came out. Drivers attempted to go four-wide again, but their efforts were thwarted.

This incident brought out the red flag. Following the cleanup, Larson and Logano brought the field to seven to go, and Larson shot ahead.

But with three to go and the end in sight, Chris Buescher slowed with a brake issue, bringing out the red again.

NASCAR Overtime

This incident set up NASCAR Overtime with Larson and Logano on the front row. But of course, the caution immediately waved; this time it was when SVG wrecked.

Overtime attempt number two saw Larson and Bowman in the lead. Logano cleared Bowman and set his eyes on Larson, but Bowman worked back around the No. 22.

Fans (and likely drivers) held their breath as the white flag waved, and when all was said and done, Larson ended up victorious in the Enjoy Illinois 300.

Rich MARvelous Move of the Race

The Rich MARvelous Move of the Race is voted on by the Pit Pass Network staff following the NASCAR Cup Series race.

When it came time for the start of the final stage, drivers attempted to go four-wide – heavy on the attempt.

While William Byron (No. 24), who was running P13 at the time, did not initiate the incident, he did receive damage.

Byron was forced to pit multiple times for repairs following this incident, and with 40 to go, he was running 23rd.

In the final 59 laps of the race, he methodically worked his way through the field, avoided multiple wrecks that followed, and finished the day within the top five.

(Photo Credit: Amy Kontras | Getty Images)

We felt that was pretty MARvelous considering everything that happened in those 300 or so miles.

Honorable Mention

We wanted to give a shout-out to Cliff Daniels and the No. 5 team on a move that won them the race. Without a doubt, Larson was in the hunt from the start of the day, and Daniels refused to panic while Logano was dominating.

After winning Stage 2, Daniels kept Larson on track while the majority of teams came in. However, a quick caution allowed Larson the opportunity to come in and mix up the strategy a bit.

The MARvelous moment for the No. 5 team was Daniels’ call for four tires on Lap 199. Daniels opted for four tires while the majority of those pitting took two tires or fuel only. This put Larson deeper in the field, but the fresh tires allowed him to maneuver through the field and into prime position – ultimately securing the win.

(Photo by Chris Graythen | Getty Images)

There was a lot happening at WWT Raceway! Comment below or on socials – What stood out to you in the Enjoy Illinois 300?

As always, we want to extend a huge thank you to Rich Mar Florist for their continued sponsorship of the Rich MARvelous Move of the Race into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Make sure to give them a follow across social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) to stay up-to-date with all the Team Rich Mar NASCAR happenings! And check out their website for all your floral needs, no matter where you are located!