Austin Cindric puts an end to his two-year winless streak at Gateway. Cindric, who debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, was considered one of the sport’s most promising talents. He joined Team Penske Racing and had a strong rookie season, winning the Daytona 500 and claiming the Rookie of the Year title.
However, his second year with the Ford team did not go as planned. He finished the 2023 season without a win, with only a few notable performances on road courses. The start of the 2024 season was also not good for him. But on Sunday at Gateway, Cindric turned things around by winning the Enjoy Illinois 300 after his teammate, who was leading the race, ran out of fuel.
After the race, Cindric expressed empathy for his teammate Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 team. He acknowledged their disappointment and desolation. Cindric believed that Blaney, who has been a leader at Penske, deserved to win the race.
While Cindric understood his teammate’s pain, he also celebrated his own victory, which came after over two years. He admitted that he was hoping for the best when he took the lead from Blaney.
This win gives Cindric and Team Penske the momentum they were looking for in the remaining races of the 2024 season. They hope to build on this momentum and secure more wins in the future.
