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Can the Cup Series big names win one at a new track on the schedule? After two-straight weeks of high- speed racing on larger tracks, the NASCAR Cup Series is set for a first-time visit to a new short track on the schedule. The Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway takes the green flag this Sunday.
The short track has seen plenty of racing over the years with the Xfinity and Truck Series as well as ARCA, IndyCar, and Champ Car events. But this is the first time that Cup Series cars will hit the 1.25-mile venue so the checkered flag could be up for grabs! Oddsmakers are looking at some tried-and-true names this week starting with Kyle Larson at +750.
Larson, like many other drivers in the Cup Series, has never turned a lap at Gateway so you can tell that past performance this season and quality of equipment are two things being considered this week. Maybe more than usual.
On the other hand, Kyle Busch comes in at +800 heading into Sunday’s race, and the driver of the No. 18 Toyota has history at the track. Busch won an Xfinity Series race at Gateway in 2009 and he’s won 14 Cup Series races on short tracks.
The odds for the Gateway race are tight with four drivers bunched together at the top with another group of six drivers spread between +1000 and +1200. Here are the favorite drivers to win The Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway outright.
Kyle Larson +750
Kyle Busch +800
Denny Hamlin +850
Martin Truex Jr +900
Kyle Busch is not the only driver with NASCAR wins at Gateway. Three other Cup Series drivers have won Xfinity races at the track; Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Kevin Harvick. On the Camping World Truck Series side of the stats – Harvick has a Gateway win behind the wheel of a NASCAR Truck. Five other Cup Series drivers in the field Sunday have also won in a Truck at the venue; Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Cole Custer, and Justin Haley.
2022 Enjoy Illinois 300 Preview
Date: Sunday, June 5, 2022, 3:30 pm EST
Track: World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison, IL
Type: egg-shaped oval, Asphalt, 1.25 mile
Race Distance: 240 laps, 300 miles
Defending Track Winner: N/A
TV/Radio: FS1/MRN/local affiliates
2022 Enjoy Illinois 300 Predictions
Kyle Busch +800
Kyle Busch has won 14 races on short tracks as a Cup Series driver. His lone win this season came at Bristol when he won the dirt race. Busch has been handed great cars for much of the season and he’s run well all year long with several chances to add another checkered flag to his 2022 resume. His last two races have garnished 2nd, and 3rd place runs.
Ryan Blaney +1000
Ryan Blaney has had an up and down season this year but his short track numbers have been solid. He finished 7th at Richmond and followed that up with a 4th place run at Martinsville. If you toss in Phoniex then you can add a second 4th place finish. He also finished 5th at Bristol, yes it was a dirt race, but it is still a short track. He also won the All-Star race. Blaney wants to put the crash last week at Charlotte behind him.
Joey Logano +1600
Joey Logano won a few weeks ago at Darlington and finished in the No. 2 spot at Martinsville before that. Logano has two DNFs on the season but both came on bigger tracks; Talladega and last week at Charlotte at the close of the race where he was one of the leaders for some of the race. If you look at his most recent Martinsville finishes for comparison. He’s finished 10th or better in his last six races. He’s finished 6th or better in four of those races.
Others to Consider: I am completely repeating myself from last week as I’m hesitant on Martin Truex Jr. (+1000) again. This is simply because of some of the inconsistent finishes he’s had this season. The same applies to Kyle Larson (+750) and especially Kevin Harvick at +1800. Harvick needs to break through as he’s not won in over 50 races.
2022 Enjoy Illinois 300 Betting Lines
Kyle Larson +750
Kyle Busch +800
Denny Hamlin +850
Martin Truex Jr +900
Chase Elliott +1000
Ryan Blaney +1000
Ross Chastain +1000
William Byron +1000
Christopher Bell +1200
Tyler Reddick +1200
Joey Logano +1600
Alex Bowman +1800
Kevin Harvick +1800
Chase Briscoe +2500
Kurt Busch +2800
Aric Almirola +3300
Daniel Suarez +3500
Austin Cindric +5500
Austin Dillon +6600
Erik Jones +6600
Darrell Wallace Jr. +6600
Brad Keselowski +7000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr +8000
Chris Buescher +10000
Cole Custer +20000
Justin Haley +50000
Ty Dillon +50000
Michael McDowell +50000
Harrison Burton +50000
Todd Gilliland +100000
Corey Lajoie +100000
Josh Bilicki +150000
Cody Ware +150000
