Gateway

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway for an action-packed race weekend. This nascar-xs event at Gateway Motorsport Park features a twilight start, offering fans a unique racing experience as the sun sets over the 1.25-mile oval. The CW Network will broadcast the race exclusively, bringing the action to viewers across the nation.

Circuit Details

World Wide Technology Raceway sits in Madison, Illinois, just east of St. Louis. The facility features a distinctive 1.25-mile egg-shaped oval that challenges drivers with its unique characteristics. Turns 1 and 2 carry 11 degrees of banking, while Turns 3 and 4 have 9 degrees. The backstretch narrows considerably, creating a tighter radius in Turns 1 and 2 compared to Turns 3 and 4.

This unusual layout draws comparisons to multiple legendary tracks. Turns 1 and 2 resemble New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while Turns 3 and 4 mirror Phoenix Raceway. The overall design mimics the legendary Darlington Raceway. The track received a complete repave in 2017, ensuring a smooth racing surface. The facility also houses a 2.000-mile road course configuration that incorporates Turns 1 and 2 of the oval, multiple infield road courses, and a quarter-mile NHRA-sanctioned drag strip.

Race Format

The nascar-xs race at Gateway follows a 200-lap, 250-mile format. This distance provides teams with strategic options for pit stops and tire management. The twilight start adds an extra variable as track conditions change when temperatures drop and natural light fades. The egg-shaped oval configuration creates distinct racing lines through each pair of turns, requiring drivers to adjust their approach throughout the lap.

Championship Context

The 2026 season brings significant changes to the NASCAR championship format across all three national series. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series adopts a postseason "Chase" format that emphasizes full-season consistency and race wins. The previous "win-and-you're-in" rule no longer applies. Drivers qualify for the Chase based on regular-season points, with 12 drivers making the playoff field.

Additional rule changes for 2026 include a lower minimum age requirement for drivers competing at tracks 1.25 miles and shorter. Drivers can now compete at Gateway and similar facilities at age 17. These changes reshape the competitive landscape and open opportunities for younger talents to prove themselves at the nascar-xs level.

Technical Specifications

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series cars are stock cars built to specific NASCAR regulations. The 2026 season includes updated regulations across the series, including changes to the lug nut penalty structure and eligibility requirements. Goodyear serves as the exclusive tire supplier, providing teams with compounds suited to Gateway's unique surface and layout.

The combination of the track's characteristics and the car specifications creates close racing throughout the field. The varying banking angles and turn radii demand precise setup decisions from crew chiefs. Teams must balance their cars for two distinctly different pairs of corners while maintaining speed on the straightaways.

Participants and Teams

The nascar-xs field at Gateway includes full-time teams such as Alpha Prime Racing, Big Machine Racing, and DGM Racing. While specific driver lineups vary throughout the season, the series features a mix of rising stars and experienced veterans. The Gateway race serves as a proving ground where young drivers can showcase their talents against established competitors.

Past winners at Gateway include Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Carl Edwards. These champions demonstrated that success at this track requires patience, precision, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Current competitors look to add their names to this list of accomplished drivers.

Track History

World Wide Technology Raceway opened as St. Louis Raceway Park in 1967. The facility evolved through several name changes, including Gateway International Raceway and Gateway Motorsports Park, before adopting its current name in 2019. NASCAR's presence at the track began in 1997 when Elliott Sadler won the first Xfinity Series race on July 26 of that year.

The Xfinity Series raced at Gateway consistently from 1997 to 2010, hosting 15 events during that span. After a 14-year absence, the series returned to the facility in 2025. The track's history extends beyond NASCAR, as it has hosted NTT IndyCar Series and NHRA Drag Racing Series events. World Wide Technology Raceway stands as one of the few facilities in the United States to host all three major racing disciplines in a single year.

What Makes This Race Special

The Gateway nascar-xs event offers several distinctive features that set it apart from other races on the schedule. The twilight start creates a visual spectacle as cars race under both natural and artificial light. Track temperatures drop as evening approaches, altering grip levels and forcing teams to adjust their strategies.

The egg-shaped oval configuration creates side-by-side racing opportunities that differ from traditional symmetrical ovals. Drivers must master two different types of corners on the same lap, rewarding versatility and car control. The track's location near downtown St. Louis makes it accessible to a large metropolitan area, drawing fans from across the region.

The NASCAR weekend at Gateway also features the Enjoy Illinois 300 Cup Series race and the Confluence Music Festival, creating a multi-day entertainment experience. This combination of racing action and musical performances attracts diverse audiences and establishes Gateway Motorsport Park as a major entertainment destination. The facility's ability to host multiple racing series alongside other events demonstrates its versatility and importance to the motorsports community.

This nascar-xs race at Gateway promises competitive action on a unique oval that tests every aspect of driver skill and team preparation. The return of the series to this facility strengthens NASCAR's presence in the St. Louis region and provides fans with quality racing on a challenging circuit.