fter a brutal Round of 12 performance that saw him eliminated from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Team Penske driver Austin Cindric is determined to shift his focus to a new role: spoiler. The 2022 Rookie of the Year came into the playoffs with momentum but saw his championship hopes vanish after a string of disappointing finishes.
Cindric’s 2024 season marked a return to form after a lackluster 2023. He secured a win at Gateway, earning him a spot in the playoffs, and showed flashes of consistency throughout the regular season. In the Round of 16, Cindric was solid, notching back-to-back top-10 finishes at Atlanta and Watkins Glen, followed by a respectable 13th-place result at Bristol. However, the Round of 12 proved to be his undoing, as he faltered with finishes outside the top 30 at Kansas and Talladega. Entering the Charlotte Roval in a must-win scenario, Cindric fought hard but could only manage a fourth-place finish—far from the victory he needed to stay in the chase.
Reflecting on his playoff exit, Cindric admitted that it’s a tough pill to swallow, particularly after a strong regular season. “It’s difficult,” Cindric said. “I think having a better buffer from the regular season would’ve helped, but I’m proud of everyone. We’re finding our rhythm, and I’m excited to try and spoil some races and support my teammates for the rest of the way.”
Cindric’s frustration was clear, especially after a solid performance at the Roval where his team executed a near-perfect race. “We had the speed—that’s the encouraging thing,” Cindric explained. “We had a great car, a great finish, and nailed the strategy. We scored stage points and did everything right. But in this format, you need it all, and we didn’t have enough in the first two races of the round.”
Now out of playoff contention, Cindric is embracing a new mission. With his Team Penske teammates, including defending champion Joey Logano, still in the hunt for the title, Cindric is ready to do everything in his power to help them secure the championship. “I’ve got a lot more to give. I’ll be going all out for wins in the next four races and supporting my teammates as much as I can.”
While the playoff exit stings, Cindric is far from giving up. His focus is now on making a statement in the remaining races of the season and playing the role of spoiler—ready to disrupt the title hopes of his competitors while helping his Penske teammates chase the Cup Series championship. With four races left, the No. 2 driver is determined to make his presence felt, even if he’s no longer in the championship battle himself.
