Gateway’s 1.25-mile flat oval always forces drivers into a knife fight. Braking zones are tricky, track position is king, and the first three winners here weren’t favorites coming in. This race has been a minefield for playoff drivers before, and that’s why I’m locking onto proven short-flat speed, Penske power, and a couple of live longshots that fit the moment.

 

 

 

Enjoy Illinois 300: The Favorites

Ryan Blaney (+500 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Blaney has been the class of Gateway on pure speed. In 2023 he led 83 laps and won Stage 2, and last year he was leading on the white flag before running out of fuel. He’s posted top-five form at both Richmond and Iowa this year, and his Next Gen speed rankings at Gateway are best in the field.

Christopher Bell (+500 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Bell flat out owned Gateway last year, winning both stages and leading 80 laps before an engine problem knocked him back to seventh. He’s one of the best short-flat drivers in the series and already has a Phoenix win this season to prove it. When Bell rolls off here, he’s a threat to control the race.

 

 

 

Enjoy Illinois 300: Mid-Tier Targets

Joey Logano (+1100 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Logano’s Gateway résumé is perfect: three starts, three top-5s, and a win. His average finish here is 3.0, and he always finds long-run pace at this place. Sitting below the playoff cut line only adds fuel — expect the 22 team to unload with a car capable of running up front all afternoon.

Austin Cindric (+1600 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Yes, it’s Penske across the board this week. Cindric is the defending winner of this race and has an 8.3 average finish at Gateway. Penske’s short-flat package has been locked in, and if track position becomes the story, Cindric has shown he knows how to manage it here.

 

 

 

Enjoy Illinois 300 Longshots Worth a Look

Carson Hocevar (+4000 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Hocevar was eighth here last year and Gateway was also the site of his Cup debut, where he showed real pace before a tire issue. In 2025 he’s stepped up with a runner-up at Nashville and multiple top-10s on technical ovals. Spire has improved dramatically, and this number reflects more upside than downside.

Chris Buescher (+4500 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Buescher hasn’t cracked Gateway yet, but RFK’s short-flat speed is trending the right way. Keselowski nearly won Iowa, and Buescher’s style — smooth, mistake-free, conserving tires — fits this track. With playoff drivers drawing most of the spotlight, he’s exactly the kind of name that can slip into a top-5 and pay off this ticket.

 

 

 

Enjoy Illinois 300 YOLO Dart of the Week

Alex Bowman (+5000 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Bowman dug a hole last week in the playoffs, and now he needs a result to stay alive. The flat-track form is there: runner-up at Richmond, top-10s at Iowa and Indy, plus a seventh at Phoenix. His Gateway record doesn’t look good, but it’s been more bad luck than bad speed. At +5000, with playoff urgency and track-type strength, Bowman is my YOLO play.

 

 

 

Enjoy Illinois 300 Props That Pop

Winning Manufacturer: Ford (+180 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Penske has won two of the three Gateway races and brings Blaney, Logano, and Cindric as live contenders. Add in RFK’s momentum on short flats, and the Ford camp has deep coverage. +180 is the right way to back the blue ovals without having to pick which driver gets it done.

Carson Hocevar Top 10 (+170 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Hocevar’s eighth here last year was no fluke, and his 2025 results on flat and odd-shaped tracks back it up. Darlington, Indy, Iowa, Nashville — all top-10 caliber runs. This is one of the cleanest value props on the board.

Head-to-Head: Joey Logano (-114 at BetRivers Sportsbook) over Chase Briscoe

Briscoe is locked into Round 2 after last week’s win, which means he doesn’t need to take risks here. Logano’s below the cut line and carries a perfect Gateway record with a win and three straight top-5s. The motivation gap plus track history makes this an easy bet.

 

 

 

Enjoy Illinois 300 Final Thoughts

Gateway has a way of flipping the script, which makes this one of the most entertaining stops to bet all year. Penske rolls in with a full arsenal, Bell is chasing redemption after last summer’s heartbreak, and Hocevar has turned himself into a real factor on these technical ovals. Bowman’s playoff life is on the line, Ford feels like the brand to beat, and it all comes together for a rowdy Sunday in St. Louis… or technically Illinois, depending on how you want to claim it.

 

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