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Road America: Cindric Builds Momentum After Another Top 10

(Photo: Mike Moore | The Podium Finish)

PLYMOUTH, Wis. — After a surprise Daytona 500 victory in February, NASCAR Cup Series rookie Austin Cindric had typical early struggles for any Cup newcomer. But finally, Cindric is starting to find some consistency. On Sunday at Road America, Cindric finished seventh to record his third consecutive top-10 finish. He’s also finished 11th or better in five of the last six races.

“Really solid weekend by the team,” Cindric said. “I am happy with three top 10s in a row on three different styles of race tracks. I am proud of that. We will keep moving forward and figure out what we need to have race-winning speed in these places but we were really solid and some days that is all you can ask for.”

Cindric qualified for Sunday’s race in fifth but dropped a few spots early on. With a few laps to go in Stage 1, many cars pitted to preserve track position in Stage 2 but Cindric stayed out. However, Chase Briscoe also stayed out and won the stage while Cindric finished second.

“I wish we could have gotten that stage win,” Cindric said. “I feel like I was probably a mistake away by myself in that first stage to get that win, so that one is on me.”

Cindric lost track position in Stage 2 but pitted before the end of the stage to regain some in Stage 3. He finished Stage 2 in 21st.

In Stage 3, Cindric slowly worked his way through the field. After dividing the final 30-lap segment in half with a green flap pitstop, Cindric brought it home seventh.

(Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)

“There are a lot of cars that were really close and strategy was important and tire falloff was important,” Cindric said. “You get separation but you still have comers and goers, which is what this track is all about. Unless somebody gets stuck in the gravel trap, I guess these cars are so high off the ground you probably aren’t going to get stuck like you would before.”

Tyler Reddick won the race, becoming the 13th winner in 18 races this season. With eight races remaining until the playoffs, Cindric could potentially miss playoffs if there are more than 16 winners. He’s 14th in driver’s points, 15th in the playoff standings and last among winners in playoff points.

However, Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr., two winless drivers, are both in the top 10 of points. Wins for those two drivers would likely not harm his hopes but a winner like Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick or Aric Almirola could put him on the outside looking in. A win would fully secure Cindric a playoff spot.

The Cup Series returns next weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

 

Nathan Solomon serves as the managing editor of The Podium Finish. He has been part of the team since 2021 and is accredited by the National Motorsports Press Association. Solomon is a senior in the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University. Contact him at NSolly02@Yahoo.com.

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