At the latest NASCAR Cup Series race held at Talladega Superspeedway, Austin Cindric found himself thrust into controversy after teammate Joey Logano exploded over the radio with heated words. During a tense closing stage of Sunday’s Lack Link’s 500, Logano cursed at Austin Cindric in frustration after missing a vital stage win, highlighting strained team dynamics and raising questions within Penske Racing.
Joey Logano later explained his outburst, admitting he “lit up because I care” during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. According to Logano, certain rules require teammates, like Austin Cindric, to cooperate closely at superspeedways. Needing a decisive push from Cindric to secure Stage 2, Logano saw his hopes dashed when Cindric eased off to prevent a crash, leaving Bubba Wallace to capture the critical stage win. This move angered Logano, who openly vented his disappointment at Austin Cindric over the radio.
After the race, Logano acknowledged that his anger in the moment was excessive but insisted the issue with Austin Cindric needed to be addressed. The pair reportedly discussed the incident in private, working to clear up the tension that had erupted on air. Despite finishing fifth at Talladega, Logano’s frustration was compounded when his No. 22 Ford was disqualified after failing post-race inspection, due to a loose spoiler bolt, rendering the earlier drama with Austin Cindric somewhat moot.
The fallout did not end there, as baseball legend Chipper Jones criticized Logano’s comments. When questioned further, Logano maintained that his criticism, fueled by his competitive nature, was justified given the high stakes for both himself and Austin Cindric.
Logano’s recent struggles, including the incident with Austin Cindric, have seen him drop to 11th in the points standings, sparking further discussion about teamwork and pressure within Penske Racing. As emotions simmer and the NASCAR season continues, the dynamic between Austin Cindric and Joey Logano will remain under close scrutiny, potentially impacting both drivers and the broader race for Cup Series glory.
