Austin Cindric surprised many by becoming Team Penske’s first regular season winner during the Nascar Cup Series season with a victory at World Wide Technology Raceway. The third-year driver, who has struggled for consistency, defeated teammate and reigning Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney who ran out of fuel coming to the white flag.
Cindric expressed his internal motivation and desire for success in his post-race press conference, emphasizing that he does not settle for mediocrity and always strives to perform at his best. The victory, his first since the second race of the year at Atlanta Motor Speedway, is a significant win for Cindric as it secures his spot in the Cup Series playoffs and allows him to focus on building consistency and confidence in his performance.
The triumph marked the first win for Team Penske this season, highlighting the team’s need to continue growing and improving to be competitive in future races and during the playoffs. Cindric emphasized the importance of preparation and growth for the team to be ready for the challenges ahead and maintain a high level of performance throughout the season.
Cindric’s journey to the Cup Series was initiated when Brad Keselowski departed Team Penske, leading to Cindric’s promotion to full-time Cup career in 2022. Despite a win in the Daytona 500, Cindric has faced challenges and struggles compared to his teammates Blaney and Joey Logano. The team’s difficulties led to a change in crew chief, with Brian Wilson taking over from Jeremy Bullins in a bid to improve performance.
The upcoming Cup Series race at Sonoma presents an opportunity for Cindric to continue his success following a fifth-place finish in 2022. The victory at World Wide Technology Raceway has provided a much-needed boost for Cindric and Team Penske, setting the stage for further growth and development as they strive for success in the remaining races of the season.
Cindric’s win at World Wide Technology Raceway has not only secured his place in the Cup Series playoffs but also demonstrated his potential as a contender in future races. With a renewed focus on consistency and improvement, Cindric aims to build on this victory and continue his success on the track.
