Dale Earnhardt Jr. has expressed surprise and concern after Austin Cindric made a bold move involving teammate Joey Logano during Sunday’s race on April 27 at Talladega Superspeedway. The incident unfolded during the final lap of Stage 2, when Logano, piloting the #2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, slowed down to allow Cindric to pass. This unexpected choice not only cost Logano a potential stage win but also triggered a heated exchange on the team radio, where Logano called Cindric “stupid.”
Cindric’s calm reaction to the high-pressure situation drew attention, particularly during his discussion with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the “Dale Jr. Download” podcast. The conversation, later highlighted by Dirty Mo Media, revealed further drama behind the scenes. Earnhardt Jr. shared that MLB legend Chipper Jones had publicly criticized Logano’s outburst, intensifying the already strained atmosphere within Team Penske.
What caught Dale Earnhardt Jr. off guard, however, was Cindric’s subtle approach to handling the fallout. Cindric mentioned having a Braves hat in his truck and deliberately chose not to wear it at the team meeting to avoid escalating the tension with Logano. Earnhardt Jr. jokingly suggested that Cindric should have worn the hat anyway, a remark that contrasted with the serious undertone surrounding the team’s recent conflicts.
The conflict was further complicated considering Logano’s disappointing 2025 season thus far. Despite being the reigning champion, he ranks just 11th in the Cup Series standings with only one top-10 finish in ten starts. Following the Jack Link’s 500, Logano’s frustration grew as he blamed Cindric not only for letting Bubba Wallace pass but, more significantly, for his own lost chance at victory.
The most telling reaction came when Chipper Jones backed Cindric, stating that the young driver “did everything possible to keep from wrecking Logano.” Dale Earnhardt Jr., caught off guard by Jones’s support for Cindric, summed up the unexpected moment with a concise, three-word response that highlighted his shock.
Adding to the tension, Logano was disqualified after finishing P5 in the Jack Link’s 500 post-race inspection, while Cindric’s win remained uncontested. In the aftermath, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s reaction signals growing scrutiny within Team Penske and raises questions about team dynamics and trust moving forward. The incident underscores how individual decisions and public reactions can shake the foundations of even the most established teams, leaving fans and insiders alike wondering what comes next for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Austin Cindric, and a shaken Team Penske.
