Austin Cindric secures Round of 12 advancement in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs despite experiencing a dramatic fire late in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday. The incident left Cindric battling not only car issues but also intense competition for the final transfer spot, as Alex Bowman made a charge in the last laps.
As the final laps unfolded under the Bristol night lights, Austin Cindric found himself with limited control over his playoff fate. On Lap 454, a sudden fire erupted inside his No. 2 Team Penske Ford, forcing him into the pits. Despite the setback—which resulted in a loss of five laps while he was pitted from the 20th position—Cindric had managed to lead for 10 laps earlier in the evening, highlighting both his speed and the volatility of short-track racing.
The fire dropped Cindric to 33rd in the running order, a particularly precarious position with Alex Bowman, another playoff contender, closing the gap on the playoff standings for the final Round of 12 spot. As Bowman pitted with only 28 laps remaining, outfitting his car with fresh tires, he began navigating through the pack and looked poised to threaten for much more than just the final transfer.
The late stages of the race became even more unpredictable when a caution with only a handful of laps left bunched the field. This yellow flag erased any momentum Bowman had in pursuit of the leaders. Christopher Bell, seizing an opportunity on the ensuing restart, maneuvered through traffic to claim the race victory, leaving Bowman crossing the line in eighth—just shy of advancing.
Cindric and Bowman Reflect on Playoff Cutline Battle
Despite his 30th-place finish, Austin Cindric emerged as the driver who secured the last available slot for the next playoff round. Having narrowly avoided elimination, Cindric credited his crew for their readiness during the crisis and remained optimistic about the team‘s capabilities.
“Not ideal (with) the fire there. Definitely inhaled a lot of smoke. Huge credit to all my guys behind the wall, over the wall to be prepared for a situation like that and only lose five laps. Proud of the effort. I want to keep advancing through this, (the) team is capable of a lot.”
—Austin Cindric, Driver, Team Penske Ford
Alex Bowman, who made a late strategy decision by remaining on the track, reflected on his team’s efforts in the tense finish and shared his outlook for the remainder of the season.
“We just played the hand that we could and stayed out. I think we swung the right direction, and we can continue to do that for the next seven weeks. It certainly sucks to not transfer.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver, NASCAR Cup Series
The outcome marks the third consecutive year that Cindric has progressed to the Round of 12 in each of his playoff attempts—a testament to his ability to endure high-stakes situations. For Bowman, however, this Bristol race represented his first-ever elimination during the initial Round of 16 in his Cup Series tenure, underscoring the unforgiving nature of NASCAR’s playoff format.
Christopher Bell’s win and the intense final laps at Bristol further illustrate the drama and unpredictability that define this stage of the playoffs. The results also underscore the adaptability and resilience required from teams and drivers, especially as mechanical issues and untimely cautions frequently decide who advances or exits. With the playoff field now trimmed and competitors like Cindric, Bell, and Bowman all part of the ongoing narrative, the series moves forward with only twelve drivers left contending for the championship.
The significance of these moments extends beyond one night at Bristol, as drivers and teams like Team Penske and their rivals aim to learn and adapt quickly. As the Round of 12 begins, the stakes only climb higher, with every comparable incident or strategic decision holding the potential to shape the remainder of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoff battle.
