Race fans witnessed intense emotions burst into the open when Joey Logano, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, lashed out over the team radio at Talladega Superspeedway this past Sunday. In a heated moment triggered by on-track frustrations, Logano unleashed sharp words at teammate Austin Cindric following a late-stage incident, an outburst that quickly made headlines and prompted a candid response from Cindric in the aftermath of their fiery clash.
The high-stakes drama unfolded near the conclusion of Stage 2 as both Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, driving for the same race team, found themselves racing side-by-side with a prime opportunity to seize stage points. With multiple cars from their stable in close proximity and the competition growing fiercer, Cindric checked up while pushing Logano, an action that contributed to Logano losing ground to Bubba Wallace and ultimately missing out on the crucial stage win. The radio channel crackled to life with Logano’s frustration.
Way to go Austin, way to go, you dumb fu*k!
Logano shouted, according to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic.
Way to fu*king go. What a stupid sh*t. You just gave it to him. Gave a Toyota a stage win. Nice job. Way to go. What a dumbass. Put that in the book again.
The expletive-laden radio message sent shockwaves through motorsports circles, revealing the underlying intensity of intra-team dynamics. Both drivers had entered the race at Talladega with speed and ambition; Logano led 24 laps, showcasing readiness to contend for the finish, while Cindric raced with newfound confidence after a string of strong performances at superspeedways this season. Yet, the tension spilled over as the Penske teammates found themselves not only battling rivals but also wrestling with the delicate balance of cooperation and competition within their own organization.
After the race, Austin Cindric addressed the incident, choosing not to escalate the situation and instead providing an insightful perspective during an appearance with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the “Dale Jr. Download.” Cindric, displaying both maturity and understanding, explained,
I don’t really take that overly personal. Joey and I know each other really well and we’ve been teammates for a while now. I like to think of that he’s just a bit Italian and that’s where that comes from. We talked about it yesterday, talked about it as a team and cleared the air on some topics.
Cindric emphasized the crucial role of teamwork, especially when so many team cars are competitive at the front late in a race.
Between the three or four of us really, we’re all good enough at this to expect a lot out of each other and we do a lot for each other,
he added.
When we have three of our cars in proximity at the end of a stage, we want to capitalize. These are great opportunities for us and that’s obviously where the frustration comes from. Otherwise, I’m cool about it.
As the race continued, Joey Logano’s hopes faltered in the closing laps. Despite his early dominance, Logano could not position himself effectively for the final push. Caught in the wrong part of the final pit cycle and boxed in by 2×2 racing, he finished fifth on the track but was later disqualified during post-race inspection, further compounding a frustrating day at Talladega.
Meanwhile, Austin Cindric managed to pull off a dramatic victory, edging Ryan Preece by a razor-thin 0.022 seconds. The win marked Cindric’s first of the season and third of his Cup Series career, capping off a rollercoaster of emotions for the sophomore driver. Reflecting on the achievement, Cindric said,
It takes everything, and we’ve had it so many races here and you’ve got to have a little bit more. I’m just so proud of everybody on this race team. Team Penske, the entire shop deserves wins at these racetracks with how fast our race cars are and I’m just so proud to be able to win for John Menard and the Menards team – to get this yellow car in Victory Lane and get in the playoffs.
The events at Talladega underscore the raw emotions and high expectations that accompany racing at the sport’s highest level. Joey Logano’s radio message, born from the intense pressure of stage racing and the drive to win for his team, highlighted the thin line between collaboration and conflict among top-tier teammates. Austin Cindric’s measured response and willingness to address the incident thoughtfully serve as an example of the maturity required to succeed amid such challenges.
Looking ahead, the relationship between Joey Logano and Austin Cindric appears intact, with both drivers expressing a commitment to transparency and teamwork. The outburst, while dramatic in the moment, may ultimately serve to strengthen their partnership and sharpen their resolve as they chase further successes this season. Fans and observers alike will watch closely, aware that what happened at Talladega may well be remembered as a turning point in both the team’s chemistry and the fierce pursuit of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series.
