September 8, 2025

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin won Sunday's Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway and led the most laps in the process, showcasing a powerful run. Hamlin started the race in first after winning the pole during qualifying on Saturday and held the lead for the first eight laps until he was passed by Kyle Larson. Hamlin regained the lead on lap 33 after the race's first pit stop, but quickly lost it in one lap to Chase Briscoe. Hamlin finished the first stage in third behind Briscoe and Larson, collecting eight stage points. In the second stage, Hamlin went to pit road and ended up in the middle of the pack to start. Hamlin later returned to the top five midway through the stage, but eventually pitted again after a lap 134 caution that sent him to the back half of the top 10. Hamlin finished the second stage in seventh, adding four more stage points to his total. In the final stage, Hamlin went back to the lead and led for a while until his green flag pit stop on lap 196, which put him a lap down until he regained it back midway through green flag pit stops. After a caution came out, Hamlin stayed out and restarted second on lap 216 behind Brad Keselowski. Hamlin quickly took the lead from Keselowski and never looked back, winning at WWTR for the first time in his Cup career over teammate Briscoe. Hamlin's win locked him into the Round of 12 and made him one of two drivers continuing through the playoffs past Bristol.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: NASCAR.com