Desperate measures didn’t payoff off rookie Austin Cindric at ROVAL
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Austin Cindric (Via IMAGO)
Austin Cindric was eliminated from the cup championship chase after failing secure ample points at ROVAL. The sole rookie in the playoff was tied with Chase Briscoe P8 going into the last race of Round of 12. But the Penske driver failed to outrace his rivals as Briscoe did.
Austin Cindric secured the playoff entry with his incredible season-opener Daytona 500 win. The youngster, though, failed to secure a win following since, was one of the most consistent drivers of the season. He finished outside the top 20 just 8 times this season.
The p21 finish at ROVAL wasn’t enough for the 2020 Xfinity champion. He also failed to capitalize on the poor runs of Daniel Suarez and Kyle Larson. While his fellow playoff bubble mates Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe did just that to progress to the round of 8. A desperate tire strategy and substandard run cost him the spot.
Find out what Austin Cindric had to say about the playoff exit
Austin Cindric said that the last laps were crazy and said he won’t recommend doing restarts with a 30-lap old tire. He added that he was fighting with everything he had. Cindric pointed out that his driving wasn’t up to the standards at ROVAL.
“Very, very crazy. I would not recommend doing restarts with 30-lap older tires, compared to everybody else, that have less grip. It was just crazy and being only a couple of spots ahead [of the cutline], I was fighting for everything I had. My driving standards were probably a little bit lower than I usually like keeping them, but [I was] just desperate at that point,” Austin Cindric said.
Austin Cindric said that the final caution sealed their fate. He pointed out that he had a good margin and chance to progress before the caution came out. Even then, Cindric was just one away from the cut-off and just had to gain some places.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures. We were in a really great position before that first green-white-checkered. We had a few-spot margin and had a decent gap behind. The caution came out, and I felt like that sealed our fate in some ways. Even then, I was one point out and needed the spot and tried to get it,” Austin Cindric added.
Austin Cindric failed to finish the race after the mess in the back chicane that took him out. He pointed out that he lacked better execution and progress in the car at ROVAL. Cindric added that he felt great to be part of the playoff and to have a shot at the championship.
“I didn’t get myself clear, and it was just a mess on the back chicane, so, overall, definitely some things I feel like we could have done better to execute today, but I feel like we could have some more progress with the car. But, otherwise, great to be part of it and have a shot. We’re still coming to the final race; it’s just unfortunate we didn’t finish,” Austin Cindric explained.
How do you rate Austin Cindric’s rookie season?
Also read: How Cole Custer allegedly ‘manufactured’ Kyle Larson’s playoff exit
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Justin P Joy
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