Villeneuve,Ky. – A dramatic Full Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway Motor Speedway on Sunday eliminated three drivers from NASCAR Cup Series playoff contention.Christopher Bell emerged victorious, securing his second win of the season and a crucial advancement in the opening playoff round.
The race served as the cutoff event for the first round of the playoffs, leaving Noah gragson, Cody Ware, and Todd Gilliland below the cutline. Chase Briscoe secured the final transfer spot on points, narrowly avoiding elimination. The remaining 12 drivers will advance to the next round of the postseason battle.
The finishing order of drivers eliminated and on the bubble was as follows: 29th – Cody Ware (No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford); 30th – Noah Gragson (No.4 Front Row Motorsports Ford); 31st – Riley Herbst (No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota); 32nd – todd Gilliland (No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford); 33rd – Zane Smith (No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford); 34th – Ty Dillon (No. 10 Kaulig Racing chevrolet); 35th – Daniel Suarez (No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet); 36th – Josh Berry (No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford).
The next race in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs is the Bass Pro Shops Night race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 13, with live coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
