The Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway ended with heartbreak for Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney. However, Austin Cindric had an entirely opposite feeling as a result.
The race took place just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis Sunday afternoon (6/2/24). Michael McDowell started from the pole and looked to have a strong car for the race. He led the first 40 laps of the race. However, Christopher Bell took over the lead with five laps remaining in stage one and held it to win the stage.
Christopher Bell went on to serve notice that he was going to be the car to beat. He claimed the win in stage two of the race and led the most laps in the race. He was able to pass other cars at will most of the time it seemed.
Late in the race Ryan Blaney was able to take over as the leader of the race following a round of green-flag pit stops. Christopher Bell raced forward with the intention of reclaiming the lead. However, as he and Ryan battled for the lead something broke in the #20 Toyota’s engine ending Christopher’s domination of the race and chances of winning.
It then looked as though Ryan Blaney was going to be able to cruise to victory. However, Ryan would be the second driver to experience heartbreak in the final laps. His #12 Ford ran out of fuel as he was coming to the white flag to signify one lap to go in the race.
Austin Cindric, Ryan’s Team Penske teammate, took over the lead as he crossed under the white flag on the track. There would be no heartbreak for Austin. He raced around the track to claim the checkered flag. This was his first win at World Wide Technology Raceway and his first win of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. The win snapped an 85-race winless streak giving him his second career win in NASCAR’s top division.
Denny Hamlin claimed a runner-up finish. Brad Keselowski took home third-place. See the complete race results for the Enjoy Illinois 300 here.
Leaving World Wide Technology Raceway, Denny Hamlin remains the leader in the point standings. Kyle Larson holds on to second-place. Chase Elliott moves up a spot to third. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings here.
The NASCAR teams and drivers head west next for the Toyota / Save Mart 350 road course race in the heart of California’s wine country at Sonoma Raceway Sunday, June 9th.
By: Buck Stevens
