Austin Cindric has finally spoken after a heated moment at Martinsville Speedway with rookie Riley Herbst. The incident caused plenty of questions. Was it just a racing accident, or something more? Austin Cindric says there was no bad intent, but others, including Denny Hamlin, are not so sure. With rising pressure and a big weekend ahead at Darlington Raceway, the full story behind the clash—and what it means next—remains unclear.
Key Highlights
- Austin Cindric clarified the Martinsville incident as an accidental collision during a chaotic three-wide scenario.
- Cindric expressed regret and emphasized there was no malicious intent toward Riley Herbst.
- He acknowledged the need to recognize opportunities to avoid escalating situations on the track.
- Cindric apologized to Herbst post-race, taking responsibility for his role in the incident.
- Cindric maintained that his focus remains on personal actions, not external perceptions or judgments.
Denny Hamlin’s Criticism of Austin Cindric
Denny Hamlin, never one to shy away from voicing his opinions, has taken Austin Cindric to task for his increasingly aggressive driving tactics on the track.
Hamlin, a veteran driver and co-owner of 23XI Racing, expressed his displeasure on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, citing Cindric’s recent collision with Riley Herbst as evidence of a troubling pattern.
“He’s starting to be a repeat offender,” Hamlin proclaimed, referring to Cindric’s history, including his controversial maneuver at COTA earlier this year that led to fines and penalties.
Hamlin, with his characteristic candor, emphasized that Cindric’s actions were not simply racing incidents.
“NASCAR will probably view it as a racing incident, but anybody with any driving experience would say that he got p—– he got squeezed, and he wrecked the No. 35.” – Denny Hamlin
Instead, he suggested they were deliberate reactions to unfavorable situations, indicating a lack of sportsmanship.
Hamlin further argued that NASCAR should monitor Cindric’s behavior closely, urging for accountability.
The Incident at Martinsville
Tempers flared at the Martinsville Speedway as Austin Cindric’s latest on-track drama unfolded with startling intensity on Lap 201.
The notorious short track, known for its tight quarters and heated exchanges, became the scene of a controversial incident involving Cindric in the No. 2 Ford, Riley Herbst in the No. 35, and AJ Allmendinger in the No. 16.
In a three-wide squeeze, the drivers found themselves locked in a high-stakes battle, inches apart, when chaos erupted:
- Contact: Allmendinger’s right rear clipped Cindric’s left front, causing a chain reaction.
- Collision: Cindric veered into Herbst, sending the 23XI driver spinning into the wall.
- Speculation: While many concluded it was an accidental turn of events, others speculated intentional aggression.
- Repercussions: The incident fueled ongoing debate about racing ethics and driver intentions, as Cindric faced increasing examination.
Austin Cindric’s Defense and Explanation
Austin Cindric, unfazed by the controversy swirling around him, stepped forward to clarify the chaotic incident at Martinsville with an open and honest demeanor. Engaging in a candid discussion with FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Cindric dissected the sequence of events with precision.
He described the moment as a three-wide scenario gone awry, emphasizing that the jumbled situation off turn two led to the unfortunate outcome. Expressing regret, he acknowledged his role and noted the critical lesson: recognizing the opportunity to lift and avoid escalation.
“Kind of got jumbled up there off turn two, got us all three wide, and spent the entire front straightaway kind of getting squeezed, and kind of just got shoved up into the 35 and spun him out. So, on my end, it was nothing… Just a bit of a three-wide situation gone wrong. Unfortunately, I feel like the lesson for me in that is, you know, I’m the first one with an opportunity to lift to make it not three wide… So, I think that’s the kind of major takeaways for me, and obviously, that contact affected Riley’s race and his finish.” – Austin Cindric
Cindric asserted that the contact was incidental, not malicious, underscoring the narrow margins that exacerbated the incident. When questioned about potential public perception, his response was reflective.
“No, pretty slight contact from 16 after, you know, once we got an entry in the braking, and yeah, at that point, you’re braking into the corner and the smallest margins, you know, upset cars, and yes, unfortunately, that happened.” – Austin Cindric
Austin Cindric on the contact with Riley Herbst last week at Martinsville. Some viewed it as possibly intentional. Cindric said it wasn’t. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/ESIutIo30m
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 5, 2025
Cindric emphasized that others’ opinions were beyond his control, maintaining that the situation could not reasonably be construed as intentional. His focus remained on his actions, seeking to manage his relationship with Herbst without dwelling on external judgments.
“Yeah, I mean, I feel like that one’s a bit of a stretch to look at and go, ‘oh man… he’s out to get him,’ especially if you kind of look at what happened and what happened before that, that even got us three wides. So, other people’s opinions are things that I cannot control. But past that, I think the only thing I can’t control is my relationship with Riley.” – Austin Cindric
Riley Herbst’s Rookie Season and Austin Cindric’s Apology
Steering through the choppy waters of his rookie season, Riley Herbst finds himself at the center of NASCAR’s high-stakes drama, with Austin Cindric’s apology adding another layer to the unfolding story.
As Herbst navigates the challenging landscape of the Cup Series, some key moments define his odyssey:
- Team Commitment: Herbst inked a multi-year deal with 23XI Racing, stepping into the spotlight with the No. 35 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Toyota Camry XSE.
- Rookie Challenges: Despite past successes, his shift to the Cup Series has been tough, with no top-15 finishes yet.
- Cindric’s Apology: Cindric reached out post-race, acknowledging his role in the incident, seeking to preserve their professional rapport.
- Shared Struggles: Both drivers face mounting pressures in 2025, with Cindric’s tumultuous season adding to their intertwined narratives.
“I sent him a text right after the race and thought that I had some ownership in that. It’s kind of about all I can do to move forward. It doesn’t help his finish. At the end of the day, my race didn’t even matter because I wasn’t even going to finish anyway. It’s just kind of an annoying thing to happen on a day that was already challenging for us.” – Austin Cindric
Austin Cindric’s Throwback Weekend at Darlington
As the NASCAR scene gears up for the nostalgic Throwback Weekend at Darlington, all eyes are on Austin Cindric, who will be paying homage to one of the sport’s most iconic figures.
Cindric’s No. 2 Ford Mustang will don a paint scheme that reverently nods to Dale Earnhardt, the legendary driver with nine victories at the ‘Track Too Tough to Tame.’ This scheme, a revival of the yellow and blue car from Earnhardt’s Rod Osterlund Racing days, is more than just a nod to history—it’s a bridge to a storied past.
Cindric expressed his gratitude, highlighting the honor of representing Earnhardt’s legacy. “There are few names in our sport more recognizable than Earnhardt,” he said, acknowledging the emotional weight of carrying such a revered banner.
“The opportunity to pay tribute to a legend while also recognizing the incredible history of the No. 2 in NASCAR was the goal behind this scheme. We’ve had a lot of fun working through the details.” – Austin Cindric
Dale Earnhardt Jr. also shared his family’s pride, noting the significance of seeing his father’s colors represented.
Come April 6, Cindric aims to weave new memories into this rich fabric.
News in Brief: Austin Cindric Martinsville Incident
Austin Cindric’s words illuminated the Martinsville incident, clarifying that there was no vendetta against Riley Herbst. Cindric, steering through the chaos of his rookie season, expressed regret for the collision, emphasizing the unpredictability of racing. His subsequent apology to Herbst, coupled with a reflective weekend at Darlington, painted a picture of a driver enthusiastic to learn and grow. Despite Denny Hamlin’s criticism, Cindric remains focused on honing his skills and proving his worth.
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