Bookmark this page and come back often as Gateway Chase weekend essentials -- from entry lists to race results -- are tabulated.

NASCAR's swear jar is already getting pretty hefty after just one race in the Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Full 2026 NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 schedule at World Wide Technology Raceway, including practice, qualifying, and race start times for both the Cup Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano are the only two drivers in the Chase field who have raced under the previous NASCAR Chase format. Logano is also one of four former champions in the field with Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Ryan Blaney, but none of those titles came in the Chase system.

Carson Hocevar turned an early NASCAR Chase incident into the biggest talking point from the Cook Out Southern 500 after Brad Keselowski spun on Lap 107. Hocevar’s response only added to the tension.

The proving grounds have finally arrived in NASCAR. Find out how to watch the NASCAR Cup Series Chase begin the postseason in the Palmetto State with the Cook Out Southern 500 today.

Chase Elliott backs NASCAR’s decision to return to the traditional Chase points format for the 2026 Cup Series champion. After years of criticism for the win-and-you’re-in, elimination-style playoffs, NASCAR returned to The Chase format to determine a champion.

Pit-road blunders, mechanical failures, spins, and strategy miscues hit 10 of the 16 playoff drivers, reshuffling the championship after just one race.