NASCAR Gateway Weekend Schedule: What You Need to Know

Rev up your engines, race fans, because it’s time to get down to business in the Show-Me State. This weekend, all eyes are on NASCAR at World Wide Technology Raceway, just a stone’s throw from St. Louis, for the Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300. It’s not just another race on the calendar; this is where championship hopes are either forged in the heat of battle or go up in smoke.

We’ve got a full slate of action with the NASCAR Cup Series and the Craftsman Truck Series ready to tear up the track, and if you think you know what’s coming, you’d better think again. This place, with its unique egg shape and tight corners, has a knack for throwing curveballs. Last year, Kyle Busch put on a clinic, reminding everyone why he’s one of the best to wheel a stock car.

He dominated, leading a whopping 121 laps and holding off a hungry Denny Hamlin to take the checkered flag. But that was then, and this is now. Can “Rowdy” do it again, or will a new contender rise to the occasion? You’ve got guys like Ryan Blaney, the reigning champ, still searching for that first win of the season.

Then there’s the Hendrick Motorsports powerhouse, featuring Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman, all hungry for another victory. Don’t you dare count out the Joe Gibbs Racing stable, either. With Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Christopher Bell, you know they’re bringing the heat. Every single point matters, and this weekend’s schedule is packed with opportunities to gain an edge or risk losing it all.

Gateway Track Weekend Schedule

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. You don’t want to miss a second of the action, so here’s the full weekend NASCAR schedule to keep you up to date on every practice session, qualifying run, and green flag.

Friday, May 31

The weekend kicks off with the big rigs. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series gets the party started with its practice session at 6:05 p.m. ET, immediately followed by qualifying at 6:35 p.m. ET. Both events will be live on FS1, so get the popcorn ready. This is where teams will dial in their trucks for Saturday’s main event.

Saturday, June 1

Saturday is when things really start to heat up. The  NASCAR Cup Series drivers get their first taste of the track with practice at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by the high-stakes qualifying session at 10:15 a.m. ET. You can catch all that action on FS1. Nailing the setup here is everything. Then, at 1:30 p.m. ET, it’s go-time for the Craftsman Truck Series with the Toyota 200. This 160-lap race is always a barnburner, and you can watch it all unfold on FOX. These drivers are scrappy, and they’ll be banging fenders from start to finish.

Sunday, June 2

This is the day we’ve all been waiting for. The main event, the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300, is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET. For 240 laps, the world’s best drivers will battle it out on one of the most challenging tracks on the circuit. FS1 has the broadcast, so find your favorite chair and settle in.

This is more than just a race. It’s a 300-mile chess match at 180 miles per hour, where one wrong move can end your day. Every lap, every pit stop, every restart is a chance to make or break a season. This is where the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders. So, grab your friends, fire up the grill, and get ready for a weekend of pure, unadulterated NASCAR action. It’s going to be a wild ride.