NASCAR
Stratta’s Six: Who’s Favored in Year Two at Gateway?
A second go around of Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway is what awaits the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend. In the Madison, Illinois track’s maiden showing a year ago, Joey Logano beat Kyle Busch in overtime. 12 months removed from such a well-received addition to the Cup Series, who can stand out this time at Gateway? While Hendrick Motorsports has been the team to beat in 2023, they were shut out of the top-10 in St. Louis. The distinct 1.25-mile oval could see an upset winner. Here are a few ones to keep an eye on for the Enjoy Illinois 300.
Christopher Bell
If there’s any track type that best suits Christopher Bell, it’s flat ovals. Gateway’s two most comparable tracks, New Hampshire and Martinsville, have both seen Bell wins in the past year. In Gateway’s inaugural race the 20 was a ninth and top-10 in both Stages. Bell showed out early as a contender in the Coke 600, only to be relegated back in traffic. After that heartbreak, Bell eyes vengeance coming into this weekend.
“Gateway is a very unique track the way turns one and two are very sharp, and three and four being more sweeping,” Bell said. “It takes a car that is very versatile to be good on both ends of the track, that makes it really fun.”
Less than 20 markers separate the 20 from the overall points lead. Even with that consistency, Christopher Bell has called this season so far largely disappointing. Toyotas were the class of the field at Gateway 12 months ago, team 20 hopes that remains constant for 2023.
Joey Logano
The defending Gateway winner, Joey Logano was far from a dominant driver last season. The Shell/Pennzoil 22 gained the lead after outgunning Kyle Busch in overtime, taking another inaugural victory.
The 22 eventually wrestled the win away from Busch after a late series of back-and-forth slide jobs. It may take more late-race antics to get the 22 another victory though. Logano admitted in Charlotte that Fords lack downforce this season.
Trying to remain undefeated in St. Louis, Logano enters the weekend with short 11-1 odds. Team Penske earned two huge wins last week. Logano aims keep the good times rolling and deliver The Captain another trophy.
Kyle Busch
Arguably the best car at Gateway 2022 was Kyle Busch. Busch led a race-high 62 laps, and had command on the final restart. This would all be undone by Joey Logano outmaneuvering KB coming to the white flag. Can one that got away from Rowdy come back in year two? Busch believes that his RCR 8 team will bring a race-winning Chevrolet to St. Louis.
“We had a really good run there last year,” Busch said. “We were kind of mired there in traffic for a little bit but once we got out front our car was pretty fast. We were able to lead the most laps. To me, Gateway is a tough track. There’s a lot of shifting there. The braking is very technical. The two ends of the track are entirely different from one another so that’s kind of an interesting take on it as well. Turns 1 and 2 are vastly different than 3 and 4, so how you attack each end of the racetrack is really different.”
“I had a couple of late-race restarts last year that came down to me and (Joey) Logano. I just messed up on one of the restarts and let him get alongside of me. Then I tried to throw a slide job and wasn’t quite able to secure the win. I feel like we’ll be real close to that and we can win there.”
Gateway was one of a few races last season that Busch had within his grasp only to lose it late. Across four starts at Gateway between Xfinity and Cup, Rowdy owns an Xfinity win and a worst finish of eighth. A Gateway Cup Series triumph is one of very few unchecked boxes in Busch’s career. Expect the 8 to be in contention for a third 2023 checkered flag.
Martin Truex Jr
Alongside Busch, another stout driver at Gateway was Martin Truex Jr. Leading 42 laps, the 19 lost ground and faded late to finish sixth. Truex now returns to the site of one of his best runs from his winless season. Toyota No. 19 could put MTJ back in victory lane for a second time this season.
“Last year, we were one of the best cars out there, along with Joey (Logano) and Kyle (Busch),” Truex said. “We were up there and fighting for the lead a ton. It’s a place I’ve always liked, so we were able to get our car where we needed to fairly quickly with a full practice session and time to work on the car during the weekend. Hoping we can pick back up where we left off there. St. Louis is flat like Phoenix, but it’s a lot more worn out. Hoping we can have another strong effort there with our Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry TRD and be up front toward the end and have a shot to win there.”
Gateway was not a Hendrick-favored track, so this weekend is prime opportunity for other teams to shine. Joe Gibbs Racing has been the second-best team throughout the balance of 2023, with Truex carrying the banner at fifth in points. Trying to mount another charge at a championship, Truex could find his form Sunday at Gateway.
Ross Chastain
For reasons outside of his eight-place run, Ross Chastain was the highlight reel leaving St. Louis. Gateway saw the contact that led to the feud between Chastain and Denny Hamlin. Aside from these skirmishes, the Trackhouse 1 was able to remain a top-10 threat all day. More recently, Chastain has gone through a few down races at North Wilkesboro and Charlotte. Returning to one of his favorite tracks, Chastain hopes to see the front of the field again.
“I obviously have good memories of racing at World Wide Technology Raceway since I won there back in 2019 in the Niece Motorsports truck,” Chastain said. “I enjoy going to the Midwest and its fun because its a fairly new market for the Cup Series. The fans are excited to have a race there and the track has all kinds of this planned for them with the concerts and things like that.”
“Looks like it will be another really hot weekend just like it was last year. The track will be slick and I get the chance to drive the Moose Fraternity car again which always fun.”
Even with a mediocre Coke 600, Chastain still holds the Cup Series points lead by one marker. Should Chastain’s aggression return in a more strategic manner, he may find himself with a winning chance at Gateway.
Bubba Wallace
One of only two drivers to be top-five over the last three races, Bubba Wallace is on fire. The best three-race streak of his career so far, Wallace was also runner-up in the All-Star Race. With this incredible consistency in mind, why can’t Wallace have another strong day in Gateway?
23XI Racing’s No. 45 was third at Gateway with Kurt Busch, so they know how to run well here. Now 15th in points, Wallace is tracking towards his first-ever Playoff appearance. Wallace’s team came to life with great results throughout last summer. This second-half heat up is seemingly happening again for the 23. Do not be surprised with another Wallace standout run in Gateway.
A new calendar month means the pressure for the NASCAR Playoffs only increases. Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway is the next proving ground for all drivers. The Enjoy Illinois 300 will go green Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Only six golden tickets remain available, can Gateway give us a new winner?
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for NASCAR
