On Sunday, NASCAR will be returning to WWT Raceway/ Gateway for year #2 at this 1.25-mile egg shaped oval. At Gateway, I would approach it as you would a “Shorter-Flat Track” (Phoenix, New Hampshire and Richmond). Of those three listed, Phoenix has the most correlation. I’ll note, the new low downforce package isn’t being used this weekend, but some drivers said they didn’t even feel a difference with it, so there’s that. On Sunday, I think passing will be difficult and this will likely be a track position race.

On Saturday, practice was held for Gateway. Teams only had 20 minutes, and keep in mind teams have different agenda’s (some want to focus on long runs, some just want to feel out their car, some might focus on qualifying so they can start near the front etc.). Make sure you check out our Gateway Practice Notes, Gateway Lap By Lap Average Speed Rankings Heat Chart and Gateway 5,10,15,20,25 and 30 Lap Average Speed Cheat Sheet Heat Chart.

Here’s the WWT Raceway/ Gateway Qualifying Results/ Starting Lineup. Take note that in 2022, 8 of the top 9 finishers started in the top 13.

WWT Raceway / Gateway Full Field Rankings

1) Denny Hamlin
Start 3rd / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Overall Avg Speed Ranking| 1st
Gateway Scoop – Denny Hamlin is a super-elite performer at shorter-flat tracks and at Gateway, he’s primed to be a factor. Hamlin looked great and was a top five contender last year before getting “Chastain’ed”, and in 2023 on this sub-track type he has the 5th best Total Speed Ranking despite having a pair of asterisk mark results in the 20’s. One key attribute I like about Hamlin is that the #11 team always shows up with speed, and in 2023 at “Conventional Ovals” his Total Speed Ranking ranks as the 2nd best. On Sunday, look for Hamlin to be a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win. In practice, Hamlin was a stopwatch standout and had the best 10,15,20 and 25 lap average. In terms of overall lap by lap averages, he also ranked #1.
Gateway Breakdown – Last year at Gateway, Denny Hamlin was a top five contender, but he was “Chastain’ed” which led to his asterisk mark 34th. In the race, Hamlin finished 4th in Stage #1 but then early in Stage #2 on lap 65 while he was battling Chastain for 5th, they had contact and that led to Hamlin getting into the wall hard which doomed his afternoon. Over the first quarter of the race which was incident free for Hamlin, the #11 was the 4th fastest car on the track.
DraftKings $10,500 / FanDuel $12,500 / DK Odds To Win +450

Further Recommended Reading = Gateway Projected Finish Ranges, DraftKings Gateway Projections, FanDuel Gateway Projections

2) Martin Truex Jr.
Start 5th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Avg Speed Ranking| 19th
Gateway Scoop – Martin Truex Jr. is arguably the premiere shorter-flat track driver in NASCAR and at WWT Raceway/ Gateway, he’ll be tough to beat. Truex could’ve potentially won this race last year, and at Richmond the most recent shorter-flat track visited, Truex likely would’ve won if there wasn’t a late caution which put him at a serious tire disadvantage at the end. One key attribute I like about Truex is the recent form of the #19. Over the last four races heading into the weekend, Truex has the best average running position (6.1), the 2nd best driver rating and he’s been a factor to win every race. In practice, Truex wasn’t a stopwatch standout but during an interview he said he was really close, so you better believe he’s primed to be a factor.
Gateway Breakdown – Last year at WWT Raceway, Martin Truex Jr. might’ve just had the best car but he finished an asterisk mark 6th. In the race, Truex started 13th, finished 2nd in Stage #2, led 42 laps, was the leader on lap 181 but then during that time his team had a slow pit stop that dropped him from 1st back to 7th. Following that, Truex simply never bounced back and went on to finish 6th. Additionally, Truex earned the 5th best driver rating, had the 5th best Green Flag Speed and ranked 6th for Total Speed Rankings.
DraftKings $10,300/ FanDuel $13,000 / DK Odds To Win +1100

3) William Byron
Start 7th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium
Avg Speed Ranking| 3rd
Gateway Scoop – William Byron finished 19th at Gateway last year in the tracks debut, but he’ll be a whole lot better in year #2. The #24 team is red hot, and it doesn’t seem like Byron can do no wrong right now. Byron has the best Total Speed Ranking in 2023 at “Conventional Ovals”, and over the last four races heading into the weekend, Byron has a 2.5 average finish and he’s had a result in the top 4 every race. This year at shorter-flat tracks, nobody has been better than Byron. In 2023 on this sub-track type, Byron has the best Total Speed Ranking at both venues visited. At Phoenix where there’s more correlation, Byron raced his way to victory lane, led 64 laps and had the 2nd best Green Flag Speed. I’ll note, if there weren’t late cautions he was primed to finish in 4th. At Richmond, Byron won Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2, led 117 laps but then crashed late while running in the top five.
Gateway Breakdown – Last year at Gateway, William Byron finished 19th. That looks like a misleading result, but Hendrick collectively missed the setup and Byron’s finish is unfortunately the real deal. In the race, Byron had a 20.6 average running position and the 22nd best Total Speed Ranking.
DraftKings $11,000 / FanDuel $13,500 / DK Odds To Win +1000