Everything to know for NASCAR’s Enjoy Illinois 300 race and festivities this weekend
MADISON, Ill. - Start your engines! NASCAR roars back into the Metro East this weekend as Enjoy Illinois 300 returns to World Wide Technology Raceway for the fourth consecutive year.
For the first time ever, WWT Raceway will play host to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, serving as the second of 10 playoff races on the road to the championship.
Tens of thousands of NASCAR fans are expected to pack to grandstands on Sunday for the playoff showdown, along with several days worth of NASCAR-themed events leading up to the big race.
The raceway has drawn sold-out crowd of more than 57,000 fans for the main event in each of the last three years, setting the bar high for this weekend.
As the St. Louis region gears up for its next chapter in raceway royalty, here’s a closer look at what to expect this weekend for the Enjoy Illinois 300 race and festivities.
When is the main race? How can I watch?
The NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 race is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 7.
If you’re unable to attend the race on a ticket, USA Network will carry the TV broadcast. Fans can also tune in via radio on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Fans planning to watch the race should expect it to take around three hours.
Are tickets still available?
Tickets for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 playoff race, Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series and a three-day weekend pass that includes both events, plus access to the Xfinity Series Practice and fan track walk on Friday, are all for sale.
Organizers have listed tickets for Saturday's and Sunday's events, along with a three-day weekend ticket pass, online via Tixr.com.
As of Thursday, the cheapest tickets (before fees) start at $75 for the main race, $52 for the Xfinity Series, or $127 for both events.
Organizers say that ticketholders for Sunday, Saturday and the three-day pass will have access to the Confluence Music Festival at WWT Raceway on the dates corresponding to their tickets. The festival features several concerts scheduled around the main race this weekend.
Some tickets for NASCAR's events this weekend are also on sale through third-party platforms like Ticketsmaster.com, SeatGeek, and StubHub.
Raceway history and track
World Wide Technology Raceway opened as a road course in 1985 and has adapted to host NASCAR-sponsored events since 1997. Throughout the years, it’s been the site of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the IndyCar Series and other sanctioned racing tournaments.
Enjoy Illinois 300 is the only NASCAR Cup Series the raceway has hosted over several decades. Since its 2022 debut, the race has typically been held in June during the regular season. This year, however, it's scheduled for September as a key event in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, where the stakes grow higher for drivers to build their case for a NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Similar to the last three years, drivers will take on the 1.25-mile, oval-shaped track of World Wide Technology Raceway. The first and second turns on the track are a bit tighter than the third and fourth turns of each track due to different degrees of banking. Drivers will make 240 laps around the track and drive 300 miles unless overtime is needed.
Joey Logano won the 2022 inaugural race in overtime fashion. He finished with a total race time of three hours, seven minutes, and 34 seconds and took a lead over Kyle Busch on the final lap to secure victory.
Busch answered that close defeat with another victory in overtime fashion in 2023 with a total race time of three hours, 28 minutes, and 16 seconds.
And just last year, Austin Cindric pulled a last-lap upset to claim the 2024 title with a total race time of two hours, 48 minutes and 3 seconds.
Top talents set to race
Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, and Austin Cindric, the first three winners of the Enjoy Illinois 300, are all scheduled to race once again. Cindric is currently set to begin the race in the second position, Busch in the eighth, and Logano in the 18th position.
Former NASCAR Cup Series champions Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney are also among the big names expected to compete. Bubba Wallace, who became the second Black driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series in 2021, is also set to race.
Thirty-six drivers are currently set to race. Among them, 15 drivers are using Chevrolet-manufactured cars, 12 are using Ford-manufactured cars, and nine are using Toyota-manufactured cars, according to JaySki.com. For the complete list of drivers and their positioning, click here.
Heading into the race, DraftKings gives Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell the best odds to win (+500). Logano, Busch and Cindric are all within the Top 12 in DraftKings odds.
NASCAR Events - This Weekend
Some celebrations around Enjoy Illinois 300 begin as soon as Thursday. Most events are at or around the raceway grounds, but there are some in other parts of St. Louis and the Metro East. Some upcoming events may be free to the public, while others are free with NASCAR event admission. Here's a brief breakdown...
THURSDAY
Fans can attend a NASCAR Fan Fest event at Ballpark Village, starting at 4 p.m. A few NASCAR drivers are expected to appear. There will also be games, giveaways, show cars and music.
For fans with campground access, there will be Standing On Pluto and Drawl STL performances scheduled from 7-9:30 p.m. at the campground stage.
FRIDAY
Parking lot gates at WWT Raceway open at 3 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., fans can visit the Gateway Garage for a Fan Zone Preview of NASCAR automobiles.
From 4:05-4:45 p.m., practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series is scheduled. The Xfinity Series is NASCAR’s premier development league that helps up-and-coming drivers gain experience before they move up to the NASCAR Cup Series.
At 5:30 p.m., fans can partake in a track walk around the iconic WWT Raceway Track.
For fans with campground access, there will be Blackwater Acoustic and Carboard Dale performances scheduled from 7-9:30 p.m. at the campground stage.
SATURDAY
Parking lot gates at WWT Raceway open at 10 a.m. Spectator gates will open at 10:30 a.m.
At 10:30 a.m., the Infield Fan Zone opens for fans to check out NASCAR automobiles and the NASCAR Cup Series inspection process.
At noon, there will be an Xfinity autograph session at the infield garage.
At 1 p.m., there will be SICW wrestling match at the Midway Stage.
At 2 p.m., the Xfinity Series Qualifying race is set at the race track.
From 3:30-5:30 p.m., Cup Series Practice and Qualifying races are set at the race track.
There are also three concerts scheduled through the Confluence Musical Festival in the evening:
- Lil John at 5:30 p.m. (Midway Stage)
- Adam Wainwright - TBD (Midway Stage)
- Tim Dugger - TBD (Midway Stage)
SUNDAY
Parking lot gates at WWT Raceway open at 7:30 a.m. Spectator gates will open at 8 a.m.
A church service is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. St. Louis native and retired NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace is expected to make a live appearance at 10 a.m.
Fans can see final preparations in the Infield Fan Zone for several hours leading up to the start of the main race.
There will be three concerts scheduled through the Confluence Musical Festival prior to the main race:
- Bobby Ford Band at 10:30 a.m. (Infield Stage)
- Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers from 11 a.m. (Midway Stage)
- Ella Langley at noon (Infield Stage)
Pre-race festivities and driver introductions will begin at 1:35 p.m. The NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 will begin at 2 p.m.
After the race, fans are welcomed to gather at the Fan Zone Stage for a Victory Lane and trophy presentation.
There will also be three concerts scheduled through the Confluence Musical Festival in the evening:
- Dr. Zhivegas at 5:30 p.m. (Midway Stage)
- Tim Dugger at 5:30 p.m. (Infield Stage)
- Jon Pardi at 7 p.m. (Infield Stage)
For more details on the events, including times, locations, and which events will require a ticket for admission, CLICK HERE.
