Illinois
NASCAR Fantasy Picks for the Enjoy Illinois 300 From Gateway
Our NASCAR Fantasy picks are in for the Enjoy Illinois 300 from World Wide Technology Raceway. Who should you have selected in your lineup?
Formerly known as “Gateway Motorsports Park,” the race will be the third-ever stop at the Illinois venue for the NASCAR Cup Series. The green flag will fly shortly after 3:30 pm ET (12:30 pm PT) on Sunday, June 2nd with televised coverage on Fox Sports 1. Radio coverage will be available on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM’s NASCAR Radio.
NASCAR Fantasy Live gives fans the chance to partake in driver selection each Cup Series race weekend. One will pick five starters and one “garage” driver per event. The garage driver will not receive any points but can replace a starter who may face trouble in the first part of the race. At the end of stage two, picks will lock, and no changes can be made. Points are awarded based on stage points and finishing positions in addition to four “head-to-head” driver picks. A driver may only be picked ten (10) times across the 26-race Regular Season and then five (5) times in the 10-race Playoffs. See NASCAR’s website here for rules of how to play.
My suggestions below are NOT my personal lineup for Sunday. See my results from last weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway and my picks for the 2024 Enjoy Illinois 300 from World Wide Technology Raceway.
STARTERS
- William Byron – 3 uses left
- 34 Place Points (3rd) + 19 Stage Points (S1 – 1st, S2 – 2nd) = 53 Total Points
- Alex Bowman – 7 uses left
- 28 Place Points (9th) + 13 Stage Points (S1 – 3rd, S2 – 6th) = 41 Total Points
- Ty Gibbs – 8 uses left
- 31 Place Points (6th) + 9 Stage Points (S1 – 2nd, S2 – N/A) = 40 Total Points
- Chase Elliott – 6 uses left
- 30 Place Points (7th) + 4 Stage Points (S1 – N/A, S2 – 7th) = 34 Total Points
- Martin Truex Jr. – 5 uses left
- 25 Place Points (12th) + 6 Stage Points (S1 – 5th, S2 – N/A) = 31 Total Points
- Kyle Busch – KEPT IN GARAGE, 8 uses left
- 22 Place Points (15th) + 0 Stage Points (S1 – N/A, S2 – N/A) = 22 Total Points
FEATURED MATCHUPS
- Justin Allgaier vs. William Byron
- PICK: Byron
- RESULT: Correct (Allgaier = 13th, Byron = 3rd)
- Jimmie Johnson vs. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- PICK: Stenhouse Jr.
- RESULT: Incorrect (Johnson = 29th, Stenhouse Jr. = 31st)
- Kyle Busch vs. Ryan Blaney
- PICK: Busch
- RESULT: Correct (Busch = 15th, Blaney = 39th)
- Joey Logano vs. Tyler Reddick
- PICK: Reddick
- RESULT: Correct (Logano = 14th, Reddick = 4th)
RANKING (after 14 of 36 races)
- Weekly Points = 229 PTS.
- Total Season Points = 2,796 PTS. (199.7 average points per race)
- Collective Rankings = 3,147th (+109 positions from Darlington Raceway)
GATEWAY STARTERS
PICK #1 – Kyle Busch
In two starts at Gateway, Kyle Busch has been the standout performer.
He enters race day as the defending track victor, claiming the one-and-a-quarter mile track in dominant fashion. Busch led 121 laps, won Stage One, and added nine points with a second in Stage Two for his 63rd Cup Series win. It does, surprisingly, stand as his last as he rides the second-longest winless streak of his career. He looks promising ranking at 10th in both five-lap averages and qualifying position. Can “Rowdy” snap a skid of underwhelming performances?
PICK #2 – Joey Logano
Joey Logano follows in similar footsteps to the aforementioned driver.
The No. 22 won the inaugural race at Gateway in 2022 and finished 3rd last year, joining Busch as the only two drivers with Top 5s in both races. Fords appeared to have the upper hand in practice with Logano having the single-handed fastest lap of the bunch. Additionally, his 5-lap, 10-lap, and 15-lap averages ranked 1st, 1st, and 3rd, respectively, amongst the 36-car field. It has been a tough season for the former Champion, and he will roll off from 12th, but this looks like the weekend to turn his year around.
PICK #3 – Ryan Blaney
Bad luck has bit Ryan Blaney over the last two NASCAR events.
A crash leading to a 36th at Darlington and a flat tire causing a 39th at Charlotte have seen the defending Series Champion plummet to 12th in the standings. Luckily, his Penske team and teammates fair great at Gateway. He joins Busch as one of only two drivers with Top 10 stage appearances in all four track stages as well as the only driver with over 50 laps led (Busch = 187, Blaney = 95). Blaney also has the second-best Average Running Position (A.R.P.) of 4.70 behind Busch’s 3.05. On Sunday, he starts shotgun.
PICK #4 – Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin’s incredible streak came to an end at Charlotte.
The Joe Gibbs Racing talent had led in 17 consecutive Cup Series races before failing to lead a lap in the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600. Nonetheless, he enters Gateway with four Top 5s in a row dating back to his third win of the season at Dover Motor Speedway. Hamlin finished Stage One 4th in 2022’s track debut and 3rd in both of last year’s stages. A runner-up finish in 2023 was accompanied by the third-best A.R.P. Picking Hamlin is always a good move for NASCAR Fantasy who starts 6th on Sunday.
PICK #5 – Martin Truex Jr.
The last suggestion of the week sees a second straight JGR driver of Martin Truex Jr.
Is there a slight bit of concern for Sunday? Mainly for stage points, as he rolls 19th following a disappointing effort in qualifying. However, an 8th place ranking in 5-lap average looks like a precursor for a forward-trending run. Truex Jr. finished 6th in 2022 with 42 laps led and 5th in 2023. In 2004 at Gateway, Truex Jr. won his third career Xfinity Series race by starting from the pole and leading an impressive 123 laps.
ALTERNATE OPTIONS
Christopher Bell
- Finishes of 9th and 11th in two Gateway starts
- Won the 2016 Craftsman Truck Series running
- 5th-best 10-lap average in Saturday practice
Ross Chastain
- One of six drivers with three or more track stage appearances (best = 5th (2022, Stage One))
- 6th-ranked A.R.P. in two Next Gen races (12.85)
- 2019 track Champion in Craftsman Truck Series
Michael McDowell
- Starting from pole for Sunday’s race with 9th-ranked 10-lap and 15-lap practice averages
- Led 34 laps in 2022 event
- Finished 9th in 2023 race
HIDDEN GEM?
Austin Cindric
- 3rd, 2nd, and 4th in 5-lap, 10-lap, and 15-lap averages from Saturday
- Second-best Gateway A.R.P. against competition (12.25)
- Searching for first non-superspeedway Top 10 since 2023 Fall at Martinsville
- Starting 2nd for Enjoy Illinois 300
AVOID!
Chris Buescher
- Missed 2022 race
- Received no stage points at Gateway last year
- Qualified 26th position
Chase Elliott
- 20.6 A.R.P. in 2022 event
- Missed 2023 race
- 26th-ranked 10-lap average in Saturday practice
Brad Keselowski
- A.R.P. ranking 23rd of 24 drivers to make both Next Gen Gateway starts
- Finishes of 20th in 2022 and 28th in 2023 with no stage appearances
NASCAR FANTASY MATCHUPS
Christopher Bell vs. Ryan Blaney
What a battle this could turn out to be. Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney will start Sunday’s race from 3rd and 4th position. Track position will be critical to maintain, and the smallest mistake could be detrimental to either driver’s day in the standings. Bell turned a poor stretch of finishes around at Charlotte, and Blaney cannot afford another bad week.
My decision is leaned slightly by the team’s entire performance and prior history. For those reasons, I will go with Blaney.
Kyle Busch vs. Joey Logano
Again, we have another great pairing between two seasoned veterans. As discussed, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano lead practically all the categories through our two Next Gen Gateway races. Neither has looked anything short of competitive, and their Cup wins have the slate divided at 50/50. Forward is the target for both as Busch starts 10th and Logano starts 12th.
Fords and Toyotas are a touch ahead over Chevrolets for Sunday. Although Busch has a path, Logano is my pick.
Martin Truex Jr. vs. Denny Hamlin
JGR teammates meet in this NASCAR Fantasy duel. Martin Truex Jr. showed speed from practice, but making up the positions during the race will come as a challenging task. Denny Hamlin is going to be tough to beat this weekend due to his recent finishing consistency and driver-leading 20-lap average from Saturday’s practice.
The latter comment gives me confidence in Hamlin.
Alex Bowman vs. Ty Gibbs
Last up sees two drivers I have not discussed. Alex Bowman has crept up the ladder in recent weeks with his five straight Top 10 finishes. He has yet to show winning place like his Hendrick Motorsports counterparts; however, he did lead his teammates in 10-lap averages from Sunday practice (11th). Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs is set for only his second Cup Series start at Gateway. The 21-year-old does have more track time having won the 2019 and 2020 ARCA Menards Series races.
Bowman could very well get the job done, but Gibbs takes my final matchup.
What does your NASCAR Fantasy lineup for the 2024 Enjoy Illinois 300? Tweet us @LWOSMotorsport. Stay tuned here at LWOS Motorsports for NASCAR news, results, updates, and more.
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SYCAMORE, Ill. – A Sycamore mother said she is still waiting for justice more than two years after her teenage son was stabbed to death.
The case is back in court this week, where a judge will consider a key request that could change how the case moves forward.
What we know:
A mother said her son’s life was cut short during a confrontation that turned deadly.
Heather Gerken said her 17-year-old son, Kaleb McCall, was stabbed during an incident in September 2023. She said Kaleb agreed to meet another teen for what he believed would be a fist fight while sticking up for a friend.
According to Gerken, the other teen, who was 15 at the time, pulled a knife and stabbed Kaleb in the chest. Kaleb later died from his injuries.
Gerken said a jury later found that teen guilty of second-degree murder after the defense argued he acted in self-defense.
Dig deeper:
The case is not over.
Gerken says the defendant’s attorneys are now trying to move the case out of adult court and into juvenile court. That decision could impact how the teen is ultimately sentenced.
What they’re saying:
Gerken said the legal process has been long and frustrating.
She said the case has stretched on for more than two and a half years and that ongoing court proceedings have made it difficult for her to grieve her son.
“He was everybody’s big brother,” Gerken said. “He had the biggest smile and the sweetest personality. He enjoyed fishing and being outside, and he was the best gift giver. He always got me flowers for every little holiday. Just a very thoughtful boy.”
Gerken also said the possibility of the case moving to juvenile court is especially upsetting, as she continues to push for what she believes is justice for her son.
“I don’t want anybody else’s child to die the way that my son died,” Gerken said. “Caleb is my whole world. I gave birth to him at 17 and he changed my life completely. He made me a better person. He taught me what real love truly is…And I just miss him so much more every day. And just knowing that he died the way he did. It makes me sick.”
What’s next:
The case returns to court Thursday morning.
A judge is expected to determine whether the case remains in adult court or is moved to juvenile court, a decision that could shape what happens next in the case.
The Source: The information in this article was reported by FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi.
Millions of asylum seekers have been impacted as caseloads have grown
A general crackdown on immigration courts the administration sees as liberal has led to the firing of dozens of immigration judges.
Recent polls show President Donald Trump’s approval ratings continue to dip as the war in Iran endures and national gas prices float above $4.
One such poll conducted by CNN/SSRS illustrates widespread upset among Americans with regards to Trump’s handling of the economy and inflation. Here’s how Trump’s approval ratings look nationally and within Illinois, as of April 20.
Donald Trump approval rating: CNN
Only 31% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, compared to 39% in January 2026, according to the poll.
The decline in approval on the issue is even higher among Republicans, especially Republicans under 45 years old, according to CNN.
In the poll, President Donald Trump received his worst approval rating yet in either of his two terms on the economy.
CNN findings show about two-thirds of Americans say Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and 27% say they approve of Trump’s handling of inflation.
CNN also reported 63% of Americans say the prices at the pump have caused financial hardship in their household, including 15% calling it “severe.”
The poll, conducted March 26-30 among 1,201 U.S. adults, found 35% approve of Trump’s job performance overall. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
One poll respondent told CNN and the pollster about the most important issue facing the country: “Prices! Everything is so expensive. Makes it very difficult to do anything other than work and go home. Trips to the grocery store are ridiculous! Between gas and grocery prices, we are poor!”
Trump addressed the concerns about gas prices in his address to the nation on April 1, saying the Strait of Hormuz would reopen when the conflict was over and the prices would fall again.
Trump reaffirmed his promise about the strait on April 18, saying his administration had “very good conversations going on” with Iran after the country said the strait would not be reopened.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: Civiqs
Trump’s job approval rating in Illinois, as of April 18, according to data from online survey platform Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 32%.
- Disapprove — 65%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump national approval rating: Civiqs
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 13, according to data from Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 39%.
- Disapprove — 57%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: The Economist
Trump has a -36% net approval rating in Illinois as of April 20, according to data from The Economist.
Donald Trump national approval rating: The Economist
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 20, according to data from The Economist, is as follows:
- Approve — 38%.
- Disapprove — 56%.
- Don’t know — 7%.
Trump, Iran War approval rating: Pew Research Center
A Pew Research study conducted in mid-March found that about six-in-ten Americans (61%) approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict in Iran, with 39% approving.
A report released in early April found that the largest concern for most Americans as a result of the conflict is higher gas prices, with 69% saying they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the issue.
Other Trump approval rating polls as of April 20
Here is a look at some other polling aggregators to understand how CNN/SSRS’s poll compares to the average Trump approval numbers as of April 20:
RealClearPolitics Poll Average: 41.2% approve, 56.6% disapprove.
The New York Times: 40% approve, 56% disapprove.
Silver Bulletin: 39.7% approve, 56.4% disapprove.
Which president has the lowest approval rating ever?
Although Trump has dropped to a historic low in approval rating polls this term so far, he hit a 34% low in the first term and other recent presidents such as Joe Biden hit a 36% low, Barack Obama hit a 40% low, George W. Bush hit a 25% low and Bill Clinton hit a 37% low, according to the Gallup polls, whose recorded lowest rating was Harry Truman with 22%.
As for the highest presidential approval ratings, George W. Bush holds the highest approval rating ever recorded at 90%, while his father, George H. Bush holds the second highest at 89%.
Trump is the only president that has not reached a 50% or higher approval to date in the Gallup polls’ history.
CENTRALIA, Ill. – An investigation is underway after multiple people were shot Sunday in Centralia, Illinois, according to a report from WFCN News in southern Illinois.
FOX 2 has confirmed the Illinois State Police is investigating a shooting and taking over the investigation, but ISP could not confirm many further details as of 9 p.m. Sunday.
“The investigation is in its infancy and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released at this time,” ISP said in a statement to FOX 2.
According to WFCN News, the shooting happened around 5 p.m. near the 900 block of East Kell Street in Centralia. Multiple law enforcement agencies have since responded to scene and multiple victims are hospitalized, according to the report.
It’s unclear how many people may have been injured and what led up to the shooting.
Centralia, Illinois is about 70 miles, or just over an hour, east of St. Louis.
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.
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