NASCAR driver Austin Cindric found himself amid controversy as fans accused him of intentionally wrecking Riley Herbst at Martinsville Speedway. The 2022 Daytona 500 champion and driver of Team Penske’s No. 2 car faced scrutiny after Herbst spun following a collision with Cindric on Lap 201. However, Cindric insists that the incident was a misunderstanding.
“I got jumbled up there off Turn 2… spent the entire front straightaway kinda getting squeezed and just got shoved up into the 35,” Cindric explained, referring to the ensuing clash with Herbst and AJ Allmendinger. The three drivers were attempting to navigate a tight space meant for two cars, leading to inevitable contact.
Cindric admitted that while he could have avoided the three-wide situation, the contact wasn’t deliberate. When claims of intentional wrecking surfaced, he was taken aback. “I feel like that one’s a bit of a stretch to look at and go, ‘Oh man, he’s out to get him,’” Cindric expressed, countering the allegations.
In an effort to mend fences, Cindric reached out to Herbst post-race. “I sent him a text right after the race… I thought I had some ownership in that. It doesn’t help his finish, but it’s all I can do to move forward.” Cindric acknowledged the situation’s impact and expressed his intention to maintain a positive relationship with Herbst.
Under scrutiny following a $50,000 fine and a 50-point penalty for an earlier incident with Ty Dillon at Circuit of the Americas, Cindric reassured fans that the Martinsville event resulted from unfortunate timing rather than malice. Yet skepticism persists. Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Herbst’s No. 35 car at 23XI Racing, criticized Cindric as a “repeat offender” and voiced growing frustration.
Despite the criticism, Cindric remains focused, stating, “Other people’s opinions are things I cannot control… The only thing I can control is my relationship with Riley.” This incident follows a challenging season for Cindric, who suffered from electrical issues in his car, ultimately finishing 37th at Martinsville.
Earlier in the season, Cindric demonstrated potential by leading laps in the Daytona 500 and securing a sixth-place finish in Las Vegas. However, mechanical difficulties and on-track conflicts have at times overshadowed his achievements. As he anticipates upcoming events like Darlington’s Throwback Weekend, Cindric confronts the task of rebuilding trust with competitors and fans alike through consistent and clean racing.
This controversy is merely another hurdle in a tumultuous season for Austin Cindric, who remains determined to prove himself on the track. With his focus on the future, Cindric aims to overcome these setbacks and re-establish his reputation as a competitive driver in the NASCAR series.
