Austin Cindric scores stunning NASCAR win at Gateway when Ryan Blaney runs out of gas

Austin Cindric was happily surprised and heartbroken after winning for the first time this year on Sunday.

Cindric took advantage of a Team Penske teammate’s misfortune to break an 85-race winless streak and claim the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Madison, Illinois.

As reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney came down the frontstretch toward the white flag with a healthy lead over Cindric, his No. 12 Ford slowed dramatically.

“I’m out of gas!” shrieked Blaney, who is winless in 2024.

Cindric roared by Blaney as they headed into Turn 1 for the final time and went on to notch his second career win in 94 starts. He beat Denny Hamlin by 3.844 seconds to become the ninth different winner this season.

Honestly, I’m heartbroken for the 12 team,” said Cindric, who handed Team Penske its first win since Oct. 29 at Martinsville Speedway. “I don’t know what happened to them at the end of the race, but they deserved to win this race. Ryan’s been a hell of a leader on this team.