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Josh Berry and Austin Cindric battle fiercely to clinch Clash spots in chaotic LCQ showdown

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
February 4, 2026
in Motorsports, NASCAR
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Josh Berry and Austin Cindric battle fiercely to clinch Clash spots in chaotic LCQ showdown

Josh Berry and Austin Cindric Battle Through Chaos to Secure Clash Spots in Thrilling LCQ Showdown!

In a high-octane last-chance qualifier (LCQ) that had fans on the edge of their seats, Josh Berry and Austin Cindric emerged victorious, clinching the final two spots in the highly anticipated Clash main event. The stakes were sky-high as only the top two finishers, alongside points provisional leader Alex Bowman, could escape the fierce competition among 18 determined drivers.

Bowman, opting for a strategic play, secured his position by taking the points provisional rather than risking his car in the LCQ, dropping from fifth to the back of the pack. Meanwhile, Berry, piloting the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford, showcased his skill and determination, crossing the finish line in first place. Post-race, he expressed optimism about his car’s performance, stating, “I feel good about (the car). Just struggling a little bit on the restarts. Cold temperatures there and locking up the left front. But once we were able to settle in and get some heat into the tires, I felt good about our car.”

Joining him in the main event is Cindric, who fought tooth and nail for second place in a nail-biting clash that turned into a door-banging battle against fierce competitors Corey LaJoie and AJ Allmendinger. “That was about as fair as I think that could have gotten for an LCQ,” Cindric remarked after the race. He acknowledged the fierce competition but remained aware of the challenges ahead. “I don’t think I got full throttle for the entire race there… except for when emotions got high.”

As the dust settled, Berry will kick off the main event from 21st position, while Cindric will start 22nd and Bowman 23rd. Notably, Kyle Larson snagged the coveted pole position after a dazzling qualifying performance, leaving his Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron in his wake.

The LCQ lived up to its reputation as a battleground right from the get-go. Just six laps in, chaos ensued as Riley Herbst found himself spun out, leading to a catastrophic collision with John-Hunter Nemechek. Cody Ware also faced trouble, adding to the carnage as vehicles sustained various degrees of damage. The drama escalated when race leader McDowell was black-flagged for jumping the initial start, leaving fans gasping.

Tensions rose during a crucial restart, with Allmendinger charging to the front only to be overtaken by Berry shortly after. Despite a series of setbacks, including Herbst’s continued struggles and Todd Gilliland’s unfortunate exit from the race, Berry maintained his composure, expertly navigating through the chaos.

With just 14 laps remaining, LaJoie made a bold move to claim the final transfer spot, aggressively pushing Allmendinger aside. But Cindric was hot on their tail, leading to an electrifying back-and-forth, full-contact battle that had everyone on the edge of their seats. As the final lap approached, LaJoie and Cindric engaged in a fierce duel, with Allmendinger making a desperate bid to push them both wide. However, Cindric held his ground, crossing the finish line in second place as Berry claimed victory.

Reflecting on the intense battle, LaJoie commented, “It was like a game of chess at like 50mph… I came up a little short, but it was exciting, it was fun to be in the fight.” He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to shake off the rust and prepare for the upcoming race at Daytona, despite missing out on the main event this time.

As the dust settles on this thrilling LCQ, all eyes will be on Berry and Cindric as they gear up for the main event, ready to seize their moment on the track. The stage is set for an unforgettable Clash, and the drama is only just beginning!

Tags: 2004-nascar-cup-series-championship2025-clashalex-bowmansaustin-cindricshendrick-motorsportsJosh BerryWood Brothers Racing
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