After leaving a positive impression on NASCAR fans during its first Cup Series race last year, can The Gateway replicate that success in 2023?
Joey Logano clinched victory in the previous edition of the Enjoy Illinois 300, employing a skillful slide job in the final moments of the race to secure his second win of the Cup Series season. This triumph foreshadowed the success that awaited the Team Penske driver, as he went on to claim his second career Cup Series championship, propelled by his assertive approach on the track.
The 2023 season hasn't been as fruitful for Logano compared to his previous year's performance. While he currently holds a playoff spot, he has struggled to replicate the frequent victories he experienced in 2022. Over the past five points races, he has finished outside the Top-15 four times, failing to make a significant impact, especially when compared to the impressive speeds showcased by his counterparts at 23XI Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.
Interestingly, Logano's teammate Ryan Blaney emerged as the victor at Charlotte, indicating that the Penske team possesses speed. Logano himself is widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest drivers, known for his exceptional talent that can produce remarkable results even in challenging circumstances. Nonetheless, it is unusual to witness such a skilled driver facing prolonged struggles. Perhaps this week presents an opportunity for Logano to return to his peak performance. His past success on Gateway's smooth asphalt suggests that he is capable of achieving greatness once again.
NASCAR at St. Louis live updates, highlights from 2023 race
9:15 p.m.: Busch takes the checkered flag at St. Louis! That's win No. 63 in his career, three of which have came this year.
9:14 p.m.: Overtime here we come.
9:08 p.m.: CAUTION! It's Wallace. Unfortunate finish for the No. 23 car, who seems to have had the same issues as Reddick. Snapped brake rotor while making his way around the turn. He looked headed for another Top-10 finish.
9:05 p.m: Busch with the second-long advantage over the remainder other track. Looks like we're headed for a dramatic finish at St. Louis
8:29 p.m.: CAUTION! Christopher Bell takes contact from Austin Cindric's loose vehicle. He spins into the middle of the track. Got to be frustrating for the No. 20, who got himself into the Top-10 after a difficult day.
8:12 p.m.: CAUTION! Noah Gragson skids into the wall. May have been another brake rotor issue. The No. 42 car takes major damage, with debris strewn all over the asphalt surface. That will bring out another red flag.
8:09 p.m.: Dillon's crew confirms that it did not make contact with the Jones' pit crew official who was whisked away with medical personnel.
8:06 p.m.: Another strong showing by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who just continues to show a shade of consistency that hasn't typically been representative of his game over the years. He sits in ninth.
8:04 p.m.: Back to green. Byron is dropping like a stone. Meanwhile, Bubba Wallace makes his way into the Top-10 for the first time today. He's been on an absolute roll recently. Good to see the No. 23 car continue to impress.
8:02 p.m.: The member of Jones' pit crew appears to have taken a shot head-on from Austin Dillon. He's awake but no word on his condition at the moment.
7:58 p.m.: Man down in pit road. May have been a member of Erik Jones' crew. We'll stay under yellow as emergency vehicles pull up to help them out of pit road.
7:49 p.m.: CAUTION! It's Reddick again! Tire is ravaged after his brake rotor blows into smithereens. Ugh.
7:37 p.m.: Dirty air causing some real difficulties for Busch. He sits in fifth, but that gap is growing. He sits at nearly three seconds behind the race leader Byron.
7:34 p.m.: We are back to green for one more! William Byron and Tyler Reddick hold the slight edge over Blaney, Busch and Denny Hamlin. The Top-five is a mere 1.5 seconds between one another.
7:23 p.m.: Stage 2 is through and it's Blaney who nabs the green flag. Things got a little hairy in the end for the Team Penske star. But he held on to outlast Busch, who finishes in P2. One more stage to see who ends the day (or rather, night) in victory circle.
7:15 p.m.: Hocevar chops it up with Fox Sports' Jamie Little after his wreck. Seems he's in pretty good spirits after a solid, but shortened, Cup Series debut.
7:10 p.m.: A look at Hocevar's whip after the damage it took. Unlucky for the lad.
6:50 p.m.: Hocevar's race is run after his wreck. Unfortunate given his showing so far; he had raced up to No. 18 at the time of his crash.
6:45 p.m.: CAUTION! It's Hocevar. Took some contact from the wall. His suspension looks shattered. He could be in trouble.
6:35 p.m.: Carson Hocevar, driving in Spire Motorsports' No. 7 car, is outperforming Corey LaJoie, who is manning Chase Elliott's faster No. 9 whip. Yikes.
6:28 p.m.: Reddick is flying down the track. He's up five spots on his restart position. Not to mention the 18 spots he jumped since spinning out on the first lap. 23XI does it again?
6:26 p.m.: Busch and Blaney really working hard on those restarts. They seem like the two best cars in the field. No. 12 car pulls in front with a great move in the turn.
6:23 p.m.: Uh oh. Looks like Ross Chastain was involved in the McDowell tumble. That will get folks talking for sure.
6:19 p.m.: CAUTION! Back to green for Stage 2! However, Michael McDowell goes spinning heading into the first turn. He was having a strong showing beforehand, so I'm sure he won't be too happy about that.
6:10 p.m.: Important thing to consider: Gateway does have lights, so if the race stretches into the dark, we should still be good for racing.
6:05 p.m.: Busch takes Stage 1. It's been a dominant stretch for the No. 8 car, who has led all but one lap so far.
6:02 p.m.: Keselowski's big day isn't going too well so far. He dropped to the back of the pack with an engine issue, getting lapped by Busch in the process. Not what he was hoping for on big race No. 500.
6:00 p.m.: Looks like Kyle Larson is having some problems with his grip. May have come after coming in contact with the wall.
5:50 p.m.: We're back to green from St. Louis! Our long national nightmare is over!
4:20 p.m.: Another strike within the vicinity. We could be here a while.
3:55 p.m.: Red flag out for lightning. Should expect a 30 minute delay as pop up showers spill over the track.
3:49 p.m.: CAUTION! Tyler Reddick spins out rolling around the bend on Turn 2. Doesn't look like he suffered too much damage, though.
3:48 p.m.: And we're off!
3:45 p.m.: We're mere moments from the start of the race. It's Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney leading off to start.
3:20 p.m.: Just two drivers to the rear to start: Erik Jones and Gray Gaulding.
3:00 p.m.: Big recognition for Brad Keselowski, who is participating in his 500th career Cup Series start today. What a racer.
2:35 p.m.: Corey LaJoie looking forward to the challenge of replacing Elliott in the No. 9 car. Big day for him.
2:17 p.m.: Some interesting context on Elliott's suspension from NASCAR president Steve Phelps. Looks like NASCAR didn't want to get caught in a double standard between Elliott and Bubba Wallace.
NASCAR at St. Louis starting lineup 2023'
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
|---|
| 1 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 2 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 4 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 5 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 6 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 7 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 8 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 9 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 10 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 11 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 12 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 13 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 14 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 15 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 16 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 17 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 18 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 19 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | RFK Racing |
| 20 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 21 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 22 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 23 | Justin Haley | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 24 | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 25 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 26 | Carson Hocevar | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 27 | Chris Buescher | 17 | RFK Racing |
| 28 | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 29 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 30 | Corey LaJoie | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 31 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 32 | Noah Gragson | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 33 | Ty Dillon | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 34 | BJ McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
| 35 | Gray Gaulding | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 36 | JJ Yeley | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
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