Cindric Wins Illinois 300

By Jeff Thornton

A very successful weekend at Worldwide Technology Raceway this past weekend.  There were a lot of concerts, many race fans and two exciting races. This was the third year of the track hosting the NASCAR CUP SERIES race. The opportunity for local fans to see the top tier series in stock car racing is a big deal. It is also a big boost for the local economy and the race being shown on national television gives the area a lot of exposure.

On Sunday, the weather was perfect. The sun was out, it was not as hot as last year and the concerts started with Britney Spencer at 10 am followed by former Cardinal pitcher, Adam Wainwright. Next was Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy. T-Pain concluded the early concerts before the race.

Driver’s introductions were like a red-carpet ceremony as the drivers walked down a path before walking onto the stage. Many drivers were able to sign autographs for the fans and the chance for fans to get an arm’s length from their favorite drivers is a priceless moment to many.

The pole setter for the race was Michael McDowell. It was his third pole of the season. Austin Cindric started second followed by Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell. The start of the race went well as McDowell was able to safely get through the first turn and take the lead. The first caution of the race came on 4 when John Hunter Nemechek and Cody Ware made contact which created a spin. McDowell would resume the lead after the caution. On lap 18, Cody Ware got into Derek Kraus. Ware would stay out of trouble the rest of the day and would be running at the end with a 33rd place finish.

McDowell would lead until the 40th lap when Christopher Bell passed him. Bell would win the first stage of the race leading on the 45th lap. After a series of pit stops the race was green until lap 108 when Martin Truex Jr had tire issues. Truex was able to make it back to the pits. The next accident involved Josh Berry when he had a tire issue and hit the wall. Berry’s day is over.  On lap 139 right before the end of stage two, last year’s race winner, Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson got together. Busch’s day is over.  “I can’t afford to have days like this,” said Busch after he returned to garage, Busch would finish 35th while Larson was able to make repairs and ended up finishing in 10th place.  Christopher Bell would win the second stage under caution. It was the first time Bell had won the first two stages of a race.  His car was good until later in the race he would develop engine issues.

Teammate Martin Truex came to the rescue to help Bell, pushing him part of the remainder of the race with his own vehicle. Bell would finish 7th.

The final stage of the race was very exciting with several lead changes. Ryan Blaney had taken control of the race in the last 10 laps, but bad luck would take the race away as he took the white flag. Blaney would run out of gas and his teammate Austin Cindric went around him and hung on to pick up his second career win.

“I really feel bad for Ryan. He deserved to win the race. I had no idea what happened to his car until after the race. I was concentrating on hitting my marks and finishing the last lap.  We had a good car today. Thanks for Brian Wilson my crew chief on his first win as a crew chief in the Cup series.” said Cindric.

It was Cindric’s first win since the 2022 Daytona 500. Cindric’s dad is Tim Cindric who is president of Penske Racing. “I did get a chance to talk with mom and dad in Victory Lane,” said Austin.  “He was happy I got the win,” said Austin.

After the race on Sunday, Riley Green performed.

The NASCAR Truck Series Toyota 200 on Saturday did not have good weather as we did on Sunday. It was raining and the race was delayed almost 3 hours. Corey Heim won the race. It was his fourth win and his second victory at Worldwide Technology Raceway. Christian Eckes was second, Nicholas Sanchez was third and pole setter, Ty Majeski was fourth.   Ludacris performed after the race along with Tim Dugger and friends.

Thanks again to the Worldwide Technolgy Raceway for an exciting weekend of entertainment and racing.