Austin Cindric clinched the final position in the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 following a tense competition with Alex Bowman during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13, 2025. Despite a significant challenge caused by a fire on his car late in the race, Cindric managed to maintain his lead in the standings and move forward in the playoffs.
The Team Penske driver entered the 500-lap event with strong momentum, posting a third-place qualifying time of 15.12 seconds and a top speed of 126.80 mph. Pole position was claimed by AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing, separated from Cindric by a mere 0.01 seconds. Throughout the race, Cindric displayed a competitive pace but faced a critical setback with 50 laps remaining.
Fire Incident Tests Cindric’s Resolve on the Track
During the closing stages of the marathon race, Cindric’s #2 Ford Mustang suffered a fire under its right front section, forcing an unscheduled pit stop. While the flames were quickly extinguished by his team and safety personnel, Cindric remained inside the vehicle throughout the ordeal, a decision underscoring his focus and determination amid dangerous conditions.
After the incident, Cindric was able to return to the track and complete the race, ultimately finishing eighth. However, this finish was sufficient for him to preserve the margin over challenger Alex Bowman, who failed to overtake him in points to claim the final playoff berth.
Reflecting on the fire, Cindric remarked,
“I was going to wait until I saw a color other than smoky grey. As crazy as it sounds, we were fortunate the [No.] 21 had the same problem because I think the lesson learned there was to try to minimize the laps run. The moment I smelled something, I said something and confirmed it. We pitted, and the guys were ready. It was really well executed for something that tragic.”
—Austin Cindric, Team Penske driver
Upgrades to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule Welcomed by Cindric
In a pre-race interview with SpeedFreaks in August 2025, Cindric praised NASCAR’s introduction of additional off weeks in the 2026 Cup Series schedule, acknowledging the benefits it will bring to drivers and teams. The governing body announced that the 2026 season will begin with The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, followed by the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026.
Two off weeks will be included during the next regular season—one before the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and another prior to the race at Iowa Speedway. Cindric expressed optimism about the changes, emphasizing the importance of rest for everyone involved in the sport.
He said,
“Number one is two off weeks. That’s, we need one in the middle of something. You think about it, we’ve been racing since Easter, which I love. I love that, but god, it is a grind for everybody involved. And you know, a lot of people that I work with, all our families, and you know, those things are, you know, very important to have a little bit of that time off. So, I think that’s big for the whole industry to have that.”
—Austin Cindric, NASCAR driver
Looking Ahead to the Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Following his survival of the Bristol fire and solid finish, Cindric will head into the first race of the Round of 12 with the pressure still on. The Mobil 1 301, a 301-lap race scheduled for September 21, 2025, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, presents the next challenge. Currently, Cindric sits just one point shy of the cut line, making every lap and strategic decision critical for his playoff aspirations.
His ability to overcome adversity on the Bristol Motor Speedway track highlights not only his resilience but also the strength of Team Penske’s crew and safety personnel. As the playoffs progress, Cindric’s blend of speed, determination, and composure under pressure will be pivotal in chasing NASCAR’s coveted championship title.
