Austin Cindric remains in the hunt during the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs as he heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend, despite trailing the playoff cutoff by 19 points. Driving the No. 2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske, Cindric is determined to overcome the current deficit and push for a championship as his team seeks a fourth consecutive title in the series.
Challenges Faced Amid Strong Teammates and Tough Races
Cindric’s position is complicated by the presence of accomplished teammates Joey Logano, a three-time champion, and Ryan Blaney, a former Cup Series winner with strong capabilities. After barely escaping elimination at Bristol Motor Speedway due to a rocker box fire late in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Cindric managed to secure enough points to advance to the Round of 12. However, the lack of Playoff Points has made the path forward more difficult.
The recent race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was particularly disappointing. Although Team Penske showed speed, Cindric and crew chief Brian Wilson struggled to capitalize, missing a chance to contend for the win and widening the gap to the playoff cutline.
Cindric Reflects on Missed Chances and Sets Goals for Upcoming Races
“I definitely view it as a missed opportunity in a few ways,”
Cindric admitted.
“It starts in qualifying. A lot of that was on me, just not getting the lap. I got a little impatient exiting a lap that would have been pretty strong.”
Despite this setback, Cindric remains optimistic about narrowing the points gap over the next two races.
“Should I be desperate? 19 points is totally not out of the question, especially in two-race events. We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to go out and gain. My word going into the playoffs was that I wanted to be invisible for the first two rounds,”
he said.
“Being on fire in Bristol wasn’t exactly that, but past that, I think that’s still the goal — to stay clean, stay solid, and keep climbing.”
Outlook for Advancing to the Playoff Semi-Finals
If Cindric can maintain consistent performance, he could position himself to advance beyond the Round of 12 and into the semi-finals at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL in two weeks.
“If we achieve our maximum as a group — or even close to it — I feel like we’ll find ourselves in a favorable position to keep fighting for a championship,”
Cindric stated.
Nevertheless, road course events present an ongoing challenge. Cindric, known for his skills on road courses, admits that recent struggles have stemmed from adapting to a new tire configuration used on these tracks.
“It’s actually probably been one of the weakest areas for me this year,”
he confessed.
“The new tire we started running at road courses has been a big adjustment. I’ve struggled to figure out what’s best for making lap time.”
The Road Ahead and Potential for a Strong Finish
The upcoming Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, September 28, offers Cindric a crucial opportunity to chip away at his points deficit. Success there and at the Charlotte ROVAL could revive his championship hopes, mirroring the success he found as a NASCAR Xfinity Series champion.
While the path forward is daunting, Cindric’s determination coupled with Team Penske’s resources may yet deliver a late-season surge. The combination of skill, strategy, and resilience will be essential as he battles to stay alive in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
