Cindric wins NASCAR Cup near St. Louis – Orlando Sentinel

By JEFF LATZKE (Associated Press)

MADISON, Ill. — Austin Cindric became the surprise winner of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway when teammate Ryan Blaney ran out of gas while leading on the final lap.

Blaney, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, appeared to be on his way to his first victory of the season after fending off a challenge from Christopher Bell, who had his own car problem in the closing laps.

Cindric, who had stopped just one lap after Blaney, took advantage of the situation and took his second career victory. The other came during the 2022 Daytona 500.

“It felt like it was my first time,” Cindric said. “It's been so long. Even standing on the roof of my car, I almost fell into Victory Lane.

Denny Hamlin came in second, recording his sixth consecutive top 5 finish. Brad Keselowski finished third, followed by Tyler Reddick and Joey Logano.

Cindric said he didn't find out until he arrived at Victory Lane that Blaney was out of gas — or that it might have been a problem for him.

“The top two cars at the end of that race probably both had a problem, and the third place car wins the race. That’s how I see it,” Cindric said. “I mean, it's not like I went out there and took the lead, but we were in position, and it was one of our best-executed races so far. present this year with probably our best speed.”

All three Penske cars – Cindric, Blaney and Logano – did not pit between the second and third stages, putting them in position to go for Team Penske's first victory of the year.

“It's been miserable being in our store here lately. We hope to win,” said Logano, a two-time series champion who entered the race 17th in points. “We've gotten used to winning and when you're fighting for 20th place it's quite a kick in the you know what.”

Bell, winner of last week's rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600, was the dominant car for much of the day in suburban St. Louis, leading 80 of 240 laps.

Blaney and Bell battled for the lead for several laps before Bell – just after finally briefly leading Blaney – dropped out and reported engine problems to his crew. Bell finished seventh, getting pushed by teammate Martin Truex Jr. on the straights in the final laps.

“I have no idea what happened – some sort of engine problem – and I'm surprised it made it all the way to the end,” Bell said. “I’m so happy we were able to salvage something from it.

“But you don’t get race cars like this very often. And every time you do it, you have to enjoy it.

Blaney settled for 24th place, placing last on the lead lap.

“Only one trick is missing” Blaney said. “I'm really happy with our performance today, but I don't know what I have to do to get luck on our side.”

Cindric crew chief Brian Wilson said Team Penske coordinated during the week on the decision to leave all three cars out at the start of Stage 3, but they didn't had not shared their strategy during the last pit stop because they were fighting for victory. .

“I wish I had done the same trick as him,” Wilson said. “They did a great job of covering this up.”

Pole sitter Michael McDowell led the first 40 laps before Bell pushed his way through the inside to take the lead for the first time.

FIELD ACCIDENTS WHILE DEFENDING

Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson were battling side-by-side for seventh place on the final lap of Stage 2 when they collided in an incident that knocked the defending champion out of the race.

After the two brushed up on the front stretch, Larson attempted to dive on the inside of Busch before Turn 1, but he got loose in the process. Larson's car slid across the track and forced Busch into the wall. Busch's race was over, but Larson was able to pit and return to the race in 29th place.

“I'm trying to race for a playoff spot and, you know, gradually fall into it a little bit,” said Busch, who was runner-up in the track's inaugural Cup race in 2022 before winning the last year. “It broke away and wiped us out.”

In their radio communications, Larson and his spotter accused Busch of causing the accident by not giving him any room inside.

ARMSTEAD GIVES BACK

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead, a Cahokia, Ill., native, brought 20 area kids to the race as part of his foundation's growing efforts in the community.

Armstead hosted its second annual charity basketball game on Friday and its 10th annual football skills camp on Saturday.

“The overall goal of this whole weekend is really exposure and introduction to different industries, different paths, many different backgrounds, different sports, networking, meeting new people, connecting dots, building relationships,” said Armstead, who recently restructured his contract in hopes of helping the Dolphins win the Super Bowl.

“That’s the point – and for the memories.” Maybe start a fire among the young people.