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nascar race today delivered a dramatic and damaging night at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, where multiple Chase contenders suffered brake-related problems during the Enjoy Illinois 300 on Sunday, September 13. The mechanical failures altered the championship picture and created one of the most dangerous stretches of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Kyle Larson ultimately prevailed in double overtime, ending a 51-race winless drought. However, the race was defined as much by the drivers who were forced out as it was by Larson’s breakthrough victory. Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe, Zane Smith and Noah Gragson were all affected by brake issues at the 1.25-mile oval.
Shocking NASCAR Race Today Brake Failures Change the Chase
Ryan Blaney was the first major championship contender to suffer a serious setback. Running sixth on Lap 155 of 240, the Team Penske driver entered Turn 1 when a brake rotor failed. The sudden failure sent his Ford into the outside wall and ended his race immediately.
Blaney had not reported an urgent problem immediately before the crash, although he had mentioned earlier that his brakes were becoming soft. The warning was not considered severe enough to trigger an immediate response, making the failure especially costly.
“Yep I’m fine. Brakes. Thank you,” Blaney said after the incident.
Despite retiring early, Blaney salvaged valuable points by finishing fourth in both stages. Those results earned him 14 bonus points and prevented an even larger drop in the Chase standings. He entered Gateway among the championship leaders, making the crash a major blow to his title hopes.
Explosive Late-Race Crash Involves Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott encountered a nearly identical problem 59 laps later. While entering the same corner and battling for the same position, Elliott suffered a blown brake rotor. His Chevrolet crashed into Chase Briscoe, bringing both Chase drivers’ afternoons to an abrupt end.
Elliott and Briscoe had each collected six stage points before the incident, but neither was able to finish the race. Their crashes came during a brutal sequence for championship contenders, with Gateway repeatedly punishing drivers who lost braking control in Turn 1.
The failures were not limited to the headline names. Zane Smith’s brake rotor exploded late in the second stage, directly in front of race leader Kyle Larson. Larson avoided contact, but Smith was unable to avoid a heavy driver-side impact with the outside wall. His team reported that Smith was alert and awake after the crash.
Later, on Lap 199, Smith’s teammate Noah Gragson also suffered a brake rotor failure. Gragson managed to ride the wall and avoid an even more severe impact. The incident was particularly concerning because he had suffered a serious crash at the same track in 2023 that sidelined him with a concussion.
Daniel Suarez also reported under caution on Lap 179 that his brake pedal was going to the floor. While he avoided a major crash, the report underscored how widespread the braking concerns were throughout the event.
Kyle Larson Wins Wild Gateway Race
Amid the mechanical drama, Kyle Larson secured his first Cup Series victory in 51 races. The Hendrick Motorsports driver won in double overtime after a chaotic finish and strengthened his position in the 2026 Chase standings.
Larson’s victory was especially notable because he narrowly avoided Zane Smith’s crash earlier in the race. His ability to manage the changing conditions and survive the late restarts helped him claim his 33rd career Cup Series win.
- Ryan Blaney crashed after a brake rotor failure on Lap 155.
- Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe were collected in a later brake-related incident.
- Zane Smith and Noah Gragson also suffered brake rotor failures.
- Daniel Suarez reported that his brakes were reaching the floor.
- Kyle Larson won in double overtime and ended a 51-race winless drought.
Critical Championship Stakes Ahead of Bristol
The Chase now moves to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops Bristol Night Race on September 19. The half-mile short track is expected to create another intense test for the remaining title contenders.
Ty Gibbs defeated Blaney at Bristol in the spring, while Blaney, Larson and Gibbs have recently shown strong form at the short track. Blaney, however, is still searching for his first Cup Series victory at Bristol. After losing ground at Gateway, he will need a strong recovery to keep his championship hopes alive.
The next race is scheduled to begin shortly after 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be carried by USA Sports and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With the Chase standings tightening and brake reliability under scrutiny, Bristol could become another decisive chapter in the 2026 NASCAR season.
FAQs About the NASCAR Race Today
Who won the NASCAR race at Gateway?
Kyle Larson won the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in double overtime. The victory ended his 51-race winless drought.
What happened to Ryan Blaney?
Ryan Blaney crashed on Lap 155 after a brake rotor blew while he was running sixth. He finished fourth in both stages and earned 14 bonus points despite retiring early.
Why did Chase Elliott crash?
Chase Elliott suffered a brake rotor failure while entering Turn 1. His car crashed into Chase Briscoe, ending both drivers’ races.
When is the next NASCAR Cup Series race?
The next race is the Bass Pro Shops Bristol Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19, with the start scheduled for shortly after 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
