The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Midwest for the second race of Round One of the 2025 playoffs. Here are the best bets for the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
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Race Winner — Enjoy Illinois 300
Brad Keselowski +2500
Three drivers tested at World Wide Technology Raceway in June: Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson and Erik Jones. Goodyear ultimately decided to use the same tire deployed at Iowa. The tire was not an issue at Iowa, nor was it during the test. With temperatures expected to be 20 degrees cooler this weekend compared to the test, tire management is unlikely to be a factor. What will matter is what always matters in the Gen-7 car on ovals—track position and fuel mileage.
Passing is rare in the Gen-7 car, and it has always been difficult at Gateway. Widely regarded as one of the least competitive tracks on the Truck Series circuit, World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway) was granted a Cup Series race. The track owners invested in improvements, and NASCAR executives were eager to expand into a new metropolitan area. However, Gateway remains a track where racing is challenging. Track position is critical. The leaders are unlikely to be passed and will dictate pace and fuel-saving strategies. Who will have the advantage in track position? The drivers who tested—Keselowski, Larson and Jones—stand the best chance to perform well. Keselowski, notably, finished third at Gateway last season.
Matchups — Enjoy Illinois 300
Chase Briscoe -190 vs. Alex Bowman +140 — Chase Briscoe
Get in now. The odds will likely shift further in Briscoe’s favor after qualifying. Briscoe has been one of the top qualifiers in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025, while Bowman has been among the weakest top-tier drivers in qualifying. Briscoe will likely start the race with a significant advantage, essentially getting a head start. That’s a major edge in a race where passing will be limited. Furthermore, this race will likely come down to fuel-saving strategies. Briscoe won a fuel-saving race earlier this season.
Bowman’s championship aspirations are on life support, so he must be aggressive to advance. Briscoe, on the other hand, is cruising. He can play it safe and still secure a top finish—or even win. This is his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), and it appears that Briscoe and No. 19 JGR Toyota crew chief James Small are now in sync. The team is reminiscent of the former No. 19 team. Briscoe believes there’s still room for improvement. He noted earlier this week that the team didn’t use the simulator last season. Now, with Briscoe at the wheel, the team spends two-to-three days a week in the simulator. That preparation is paying off and could lead to a Cup Series Championship.
