Cindric wins the gate and Blaney runs out of fuel

Ryan Blaney, the current champion of the competition, seemed ready to achieve his first victory in the 2024 season after winning a fierce duel with Christopher Bell.

Austin Cindric cut the gap to Blaney to less than two seconds with three laps remaining, however Blaney’s No. 12 Penske Ford suddenly lost speed.

Cindric inherited the lead and beat Denny Hamlin by 3.844 seconds The second win in his career He ended a series of 85 races without reaching the top of the podium.

Cindric, who was in danger of missing qualifying, joined the group of 16 drivers who have won at least one race.

“I’m honestly sad for the (Blaney) team,” Cindric said. “I don’t know what happened to them at the end of the race. They deserved to win. Ryan was a great leader on this team.” “This weekend was a great weekend for everyone involved. But, yeah, with two (Penske) cars in the fight and it looked like they were going to get one and two places… my heart broke for them.”

“[La victoria] It’s amazing to me. It’s unbelievable for this team. I’m very happy to get the victory with Brian (Wilson) as the crew chief. You never know when it will happen again. He added: “I did everything I could, and I hope for the best.”

Brad Keselowski was third, Tyler Reddick was fourth, and Joey Logano rounded out the top five.

The final places in the top 10 went to Austin Dillon, Bell – who came to the finish line with an engine problem, Carson Hocevar, Justin Haley and Kyle Larson.

Blaney eventually finished 24th.

The first stage of the 2024 NASCAR Gateway Race

Bell passed Michael McDowell and took the lead with five laps remaining to take the first stage win by 0.726 seconds. Blaney was third, Cindric was fourth, and Hamlin was fifth.

During the caution for an incident involving Cody Weir and Derek Krause, Keselowski was forced to pit twice due to a loose wheel on his No. 6 Ford and fell to the back of the field.

The second stage of the 2024 NASCAR Gateway Race

Bell took the second stage win under caution when Larson and Kyle Busch collided on the final lap.

Damage to his No. 8 Chevrolet brought a premature end to Busch’s career. Cindric finished second in the stage, Blaney third, Chase Elliott fourth, and Logano rounded out the top five.

The third stage of the 2024 NASCAR Gateway Race

After the break between stages 2 and 3, several cars in the leading positions chose to pit, but Cindric was among those eliminated and then inherited the lead. Elliott was the first of those who stopped to leave the pits.

Ty Gibbs received a penalty for speeding in the pits and had to race from the back of the field. Cindric passed Blaney and Logano when the race resumed with 92 laps to go.

With 66 laps remaining, Hocevar was the first to enter the pits under the green flag, making his final stop to change tires and fuel and reach the finish line. Blaney later did the exact same thing.

Bell, who was among those who pitted before the start of the final stage, stayed much longer and made his final pit stop with 46 laps remaining until the checkered flag was raised.

Once the last drivers completed their pit stops, Blaney led with 23 laps to go. However, Bell was close behind in second place, but on newer tyres, having stopped much later.

With 20 laps remaining, Bell and Blaney exchanged the lead. Blaney finally got a big lead when Bill suddenly announced he was “busting” over his team radio.

Engine trouble caused Bell to slow significantly and he gave up second place to Blaney’s teammate Cindric.

With 10 laps remaining, Blaney had a nearly two-second lead over Cindric, while Hamlin moved into third.

2024 nascar portal race results