NASCAR Cup Series heads to Gateway as Christopher Bell's win tightens the playoff race

Bell's breakthrough reshapes the championship picture

One race into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, the 2026 championship remains wide open. Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing won the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway last week, his first victory of the season after a record seven second-place finishes earlier in the year. The win moved Bell to second in the standings, 12 points behind teammate Denny Hamlin, according to multiple reports.

Hamlin, who won at Gateway last year, finished 18th at Darlington and will look to rebound this weekend. With the top nine drivers separated by just 72 points, every position matters as the playoff pressure intensifies.

Race details and how to watch

The NASCAR Cup Series competes at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 3 p.m. ET. The track, formerly known as Gateway, is a 1.2-mile oval. The race airs live on USA Network and can be streamed with a Sling subscription, which carries USA.

Sling offers several options for viewers. A 1-Day Pass starts at $4.99, a 3-Day Pass at $9.99, and a 7-Day Pass at $14.99. The Sling Orange package includes over 30 channels, including ESPN, Disney Channel, CNN, and HGTV. Sling Blue offers 40+ channels, including NFL Network, Bravo, CNN, FOX News, and more. The combined Orange + Blue package provides 50+ live channels, including ESPN, NFL Network, USA, TNT, Bravo, FOX News, and CNN. Additional add-ons like Sports Extra, Entertainment/Hollywood Extra, Heartland Extra, and News Extra are also available.

Sling Orange allows streaming on one device at a time, while Sling Blue supports up to three simultaneous streams. The Orange + Blue package allows streaming on up to four devices. Six of the nine remaining NASCAR Cup Series races this season air on USA, including this weekend's event.

Logano's momentum and confidence at Gateway

Joey Logano enters Sunday's race with considerable momentum. The three-time Cup Series champion won two of the last seven races and claimed the pole position after posting the fastest lap in qualifying. Logano won the track's inaugural Cup Series race in 2022 and has finished in the top five in each of his last three visits to Gateway. He will also have the first pit stall on one of the narrowest pit roads on the schedule, an advantage that could prove critical.

Christopher Bell, meanwhile, may be carrying the most confidence into Sunday after his playoff-opening victory. Other playoff drivers, including Ryan Blaney, Chase Brisbee, Ty Gibbs, Chase Elliott, and Bubba Wallace, qualified near the front for the Enjoy Illinois 300. Gateway has developed a reputation as a track where qualifying can make or break a race, setting the stage for a competitive afternoon.