NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 Predictions & Betting Tips

NASCAR

The second leg of the Round of 16 playoffs takes place on Sunday when NASCAR heads to southern Illinois for the Enjoy Illinois 300. The field of 36 drivers gets a relatively new course to navigate with the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison hosting its fourth Cup Series race. Austin Cindric is the defending champion after setting a race record for highest average speed in 2024. The green flag is scheduled to drop at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 7 with USA Network providing television coverage.

NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 Preview

There isn’t much history to go on since there have only been three NCS races on the course, adding an element of unknown to the 1.25-mile flat oval track. There should be a comfort level for the past three winners, though. Cindric won last year with Kyle Busch in 2023 and Joey Logano in 2022 getting the checkered flag. However, those drivers aren’t even among the top 5 on the NASCAR odds for this race. Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell opened as co-favorites with Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe boasting odds shorter than 10/1.

Enjoy Illinois 300 Betting Odds

Ryan Blaney +526
Christopher Bell +526
Denny Hamlin +651
Kyle Larson +876
Chase Briscoe +931
Joey Logano +1001
William Byron +1151
Tyler Reddick +1344
Austin Cindric +1652
Chase Elliott +1877
Brad Keselowski +1902
Kyle Busch +1922
Bubba Wallace +2145
Josh Berry +2428
Ross Chastain +2986
Chris Buescher +3083
TY Gibbs +3563
Carson Hocevar +3642
All other drivers listed higher than +4000

NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 Top Contenders

Christopher Bell +526

Has a history of success on intermediate tracks with four wins and six top 5s in his last 17 starts.
Finished among the top 10 twice and 11th once in his three NCS starts at WWT Raceway. He won both stages last year and led 80 laps before placing seventh.
Has a win on this course in 2016 when he was full time in the Truck Series.

Joey Logano +1001

The only driver in the field to finish among the top 5 in all three races at World Wide Technology.
His average rating on this course is the highest of any he’s driven in the last three years.
He’s currently below the playoff cut line giving him added motivation for another strong finish.

Austin Cindric +1652

Caught a break last year winning the race after Ryan Blaney ran out of fuel on the final, but give him credit for being in position to take advantage.
Won Stage One in the 2022 race and led for 26 laps before setting for 11th. Also placed 13th in 2023.
Has finished among the top 16 in his last six completed races.

Kyle Busch +1922

The active driver with the most NCS wins hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in two years, when topped the field in this race in 2023.
Led a race-high 66 laps in 2022 and finished second.
Was among the top 10 last year before crashing out.

NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 Predictions

I’m not sold on Cindric, but past winners on a course have done well on that same course this season. Just last week Chase Briscoe defended his title at the Southern 500. I have to think Blaney has a chip on his shoulder after running out of fuel on the final lap and losing last year’s race. He has two top 10s but has never won on an intermediate 1-mile course. Perhaps this is the year. Check out this betting guide for other ways to bet NASCAR.