# NASCAR heads to Gateway with the Chase already tightening

> Round two of the Chase lands at World Wide Technology Raceway, and the weekend has two title fights and one long-running drought.
- Title: NASCAR heads to Gateway with the Chase already tightening
- Summary: Round two of the Chase lands at World Wide Technology Raceway, and the weekend has two title fights and one long-running drought. Cup runs the Enjoy Illinois…
- Keywords: nascar, cup series, gateway, playoffs, tv schedule, sports, heads, Chase, already, tightening, Racing America On SI
- Source: Racing America On SI — https://si.com/onsi/racing-america/news/how-to-watch-nascars-race-weekend-at-world-wide-technology-raceway
- Published: 2026-09-12T15:19:30+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nascar, cup series, gateway, playoffs, tv schedule, sports
## Round two of the Chase
Both NASCAR series roll into World Wide Technology Raceway with their championship runs already underway. Gateway is the second stop for each of them.
## Two races, two title runs
Sunday's Enjoy Illinois 300 is race two of the Cup Series' 10-race Chase. Saturday's Nu Way 225 is race two of the nine-race O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase.
## Hamlin needs a rebound
Denny Hamlin leads the Cup points and won this race last year, but an 18th at Darlington took the shine off. A Gateway repeat would reset his momentum.

> Hamlin could use the momentum boost of a win at Gateway
## Bell's Gateway problem
Christopher Bell finally won last week, and he has brought race-winning speed to Gateway nearly every time. He still has never closed it out here.

> Can he finally grab that elusive first Gateway win in his fifth try?
## Saturday's full slate
Practice and qualifying for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series run at 1 and 2:05 PM ET on The CW. Cup practice follows at 3:30 and qualifying at 4:35 on TruTV.
## Where to watch the races
The Nu Way 225 goes Saturday at 7:30 PM ET on The CW and the ESPN app. The Enjoy Illinois 300 is Sunday at 3 PM ET on USA Network, with Driver Cam on HBO Max.
## Key takeaway

Cup runs the Enjoy Illinois 300 Sunday at 3 PM ET on USA Network, with the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series going Saturday night at 7:30 PM ET on The CW.