Austin Cindric‘s playoff hopes are alive as he approaches the next NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, despite facing challenges in the postseason so far. The Team Penske driver continues his quest to advance, aiming to overcome a 19-point deficit to reach the next round.
Navigating Difficult Odds with Elite Teammates
On a championship-contending team like Team Penske, Cindric operates in the shadows of prominent figures including Joey Logano, a three-time Cup champion, and Ryan Blaney, who also boasts a series title. As Cindric pilots the storied No. 2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, he often finds himself underappreciated compared to his accomplished teammates.
Surviving Bristol to Advance in the Playoffs
Recently, at Bristol Motor Speedway, Cindric narrowly avoided elimination from the playoffs after a late-race rocker box fire almost derailed his campaign. Thanks to quick strategy and teamwork, he managed to return to the racetrack and collect enough points to secure a spot in the Round of 12. That narrow escape highlighted both the challenges and the resilience shown by Cindric and his crew as they fight through the postseason.
Momentum Slowed by New Hampshire Struggles
Despite a promising outlook for Team Penske at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Cindric and crew chief Brian Wilson were unable to replicate the strong performances of their teammates. Falling short in qualifying and the race itself, Cindric left New England with an increased points gap and a greater challenge ahead.
“I definitely view it as a missed opportunity in a few ways,”
Cindric, Driver
“It starts in qualifying. A lot of that was on me, just not getting the lap. I got a little impatient exiting a lap that would have been pretty strong.”
Cindric, Driver
Assessing the Kansas Challenge and Playoff Outlook
Now 19 points below the elimination line, Cindric knows the importance of the next two events. His subpar run at New Hampshire has left him with little margin for error going into the Kansas weekend and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL that follows. The 27-year-old driver, however, views the task with a determined outlook and believes the gap is not insurmountable.
“Should I be desperate? 19 points is totally not out of the question, especially in two-race events. We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to go out and gain. My word going into the playoffs was that I wanted to be invisible for the first two rounds,”
Cindric, Driver
“Being on fire in Bristol wasn’t exactly that, but past that, I think that’s still the goal — to stay clean, stay solid, and keep climbing.”
Cindric, Driver
If Cindric and Team Penske can maximize their performance in Kansas and Charlotte, he believes a playoff advancement remains within reach. Repeating or improving upon their performance across these upcoming events could see the team advancing to the semi-finals of the postseason, building on the progress already achieved under high pressure.
“If we achieve our maximum as a group — or even close to it — I feel like we’ll find ourselves in a favorable position to keep fighting for a championship,”
Cindric, Driver
Facing the ROVAL: Road Course Performance Concerns
While Cindric has built a reputation as a skilled road course racer, the Team Penske organization has struggled recently on non-oval tracks. This presents an additional layer of complexity as the final race of this playoff round takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, a circuit that historically tests both driver skill and team adaptability.
“It’s actually probably been one of the weakest areas for me this year,”
Cindric, Driver
“The new tire we started running at road courses has been a big adjustment. I’ve struggled to figure out what’s best for making lap time.”
Cindric, Driver
Significance of Upcoming Races for Cindric and Team Penske
With the playoffs intensifying, Austin Cindric‘s determination to overcome recent setbacks could be crucial for Team Penske’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive Cup Series title. The next event, the Hollywood Casino 400, is scheduled at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, September 28, at 3:00 PM ET, broadcast on USA Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
As Cindric looks to channel resilience and strategic skill, his playoff journey will not only test his own limits but could also provide Team Penske another opportunity for victory. The battles at Kansas and Charlotte will determine if Cindric’s underdog story continues deeper into NASCAR’s postseason, possibly echoing his previous championship success from the Xfinity Series.
