NASCAR takeaways: Austin Cindric capitalizes on Ryan Blaney's fuel issue at Gateway

MADISON, Ill. — Austin Cindric snapped an 85-race winless streak Sunday with what he would admit was a third-place car.

Christopher Bell led 80 laps but an engine issue with about 17 laps remaining as he was dueling Ryan Blaney cost him a shot at the win, and then Blaney — who had led 20 of the previous 21 laps — ran out of fuel coming to the white flag, allowing Blaney teammate Cindric to zoom by for the victory at World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis.

"It's crazy to think that probably the two best cars at the end of that race both had an issue," Cindric said after the win at the track commonly referred to as "Gateway," a 1.25-mile oval. "The third-place car wins the race.

"That's the way I see it. It's not like I went out there and took the lead away. But we were in position. One of our best-executed races so far this year with probably our best speed we've shown this year." 

The son of Team Penske president who won the 2022 Daytona 500 in his rookie season, Cindric entered the race 20th in the Cup standings and now has vaulted himself into the playoffs.

Team executive vice president Walt Czarnecki said the team had not lost confidence in Cindric. 

"He has not lost his desire," Czarencki said. "This is a reaffirming situation, circumstance for him today. ... We've never lost faith in Austin Cindric, I promise you."

Takeaways after a race where following Cindric across the finish line were Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick and Joey Logano.

Cindric Validation

Cindric didn't make the playoffs last year as he finished 24th in the standings and had just five top-10s after a rookie year in which he posted nine top-10s. The win Sunday was just his second top-10 of the season in a year where Team