Team Penske’s Austin Cindric endured a difficult showing in the Austin Cindric New Hampshire race during the Mobil 1 301, held on September 21, 2025, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. While his teammates, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, delivered strong performances, Cindric battled through a challenging day that left him searching for answers and a path forward in the playoff hunt.
Qualifying Woes Set the Tone for Cindric’s Race
Heading into race day, optimism ran high within Team Penske as Joey Logano captured the pole position in his #22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, with Ryan Blaney close behind after qualifying just 0.170 seconds off the lead. Cindric, however, faced an early setback with a disappointing P22 qualifying position, lagging about 0.43 seconds behind the current champion. His best lap was timed at 29.59 seconds, reaching a peak of 128.71 mph, a performance that left him struggling to break into the top 20 as the 301 laps unfolded.
Cindric’s Reflections on a Frustrating Afternoon
Despite flashes of pace in longer runs, Cindric ultimately crossed the finish line in 17th place. He shared his disappointment with reporters afterward, highlighting where things went wrong and how his outing compared with his teammates’ results.
“I can only speak on myself, but had really great long-run speed. Just never felt like I was able to capitalize on it. I definitely botched my lap there in qualifying, which sets us back. And you know, you have to be able to restart well, and struggled on that. And guys threw a lot of the car today; just, yeah, just a shame.”
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Driver
Even as he lamented the outcome, Cindric noted that playoff contenders across the grid faced their own challenges, suggesting that the race for valuable postseason points remains fiercely contested. Despite his struggles, the glimmer of hope in the playoff standings kept his motivation alive.
Team Penske Teammates Excel in Contrast
While Cindric fought hard further back in the field, Ryan Blaney stamped his authority on the Mobil 1 301 by leading 116 laps and ultimately seizing first place. Joey Logano also maintained a strong showing, finishing the day in fourth. The performance gap underscored the fine margins in NASCAR‘s Cup Series and the intense battle within each team for top honors at such marquee events.
Cindric Endorses Adjustments to Cup Series Schedule
Amid the bitter result, Cindric took a moment to praise the upcoming changes to NASCAR’s 2026 Cup Series calendar, highlighting the demanding nature of a campaign that leaves little time for rest.
“Number one is two off weeks. That’s, we need one in the middle of something. You think about it, we’ve been racing since Easter, which I love. I love that, but god, it is a grind for everybody involved,”
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Driver
His comments reflected a desire for a balanced season, recognizing the toll such relentless competition takes on everybody connected to the sport, from drivers to team members.
Playoff Implications and What Lies Ahead
Cindric’s 17th-place finish at Loudon was costly, dropping him to tenth in the Cup Series playoff standings, now 19 points behind the cutoff. With the next event, the Hollywood Casino 400 presented by ESPN Bet at Kansas Speedway, fast approaching on September 28, pressure is mounting for Cindric to deliver. Every race, every lap, and every decision will be crucial as he seeks to close the gap and remain part of the playoff conversation amid increasingly fierce competition from drivers like William Byron, the surging Ryan Blaney, and steadfast teammates such as Joey Logano.
As the season heads into its decisive stretch, fans and competitors alike will keep a close eye on whether Cindric can harness his potential and overcome the setbacks that have hampered his performances, or if he will remain overshadowed by the success of his Team Penske counterparts. The story of this season continues to unfold, with the next chapter set against the backdrop of Kansas Speedway.
