In 2020, after a year-long, knockout battle with Justin Allgaier, Justin Haley, and Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric was crowned the Xfinity Series Champion.
Despite his impressive performance, Cindric was unable to secure a Cup series ride for 2021.
However, Team Penske did offer him a seat to challenge the Daytona 500.
Cindric had a solid qualifying time, but it wasn't fast enough to lock him into the race. This meant he would have to fight for his spot in the first of the qualifying Duel races. During green flag pit stops, Cindric picked up a penalty for speeding at pit exit, earning him a drive-through. The penalty was surely the nail in the coffin, as he circulated a lap down, and had to watch as Ty Dillon led the way to his transfer spot.
Dillon would be passed at the line by Ryan Preece, for 5th position. Though Preece had locked in his spot for the big race, this pass awarded Cindric the transfer spot. Because Dillon was no longer the top finisher, and Cindric had posted a faster qualifying time, Dillon had just missed out.
Cindric will start 39th for the 2021 Daytona 500, but he's shown incredible skill in the Xfinity series, and his team and his pace mean he'll be one to watch. Not to mention Daytona's unpredictable nature.
As always, thanks go to:
@Noobiix007 for his tires, and help and advice
@DomGTR for his updated updated grille and headlights
and of course @NeverKrash and the rest of the RSS crew, who are always working with the fastest network.
Despite his impressive performance, Cindric was unable to secure a Cup series ride for 2021.
However, Team Penske did offer him a seat to challenge the Daytona 500.
Cindric had a solid qualifying time, but it wasn't fast enough to lock him into the race. This meant he would have to fight for his spot in the first of the qualifying Duel races. During green flag pit stops, Cindric picked up a penalty for speeding at pit exit, earning him a drive-through. The penalty was surely the nail in the coffin, as he circulated a lap down, and had to watch as Ty Dillon led the way to his transfer spot.
Dillon would be passed at the line by Ryan Preece, for 5th position. Though Preece had locked in his spot for the big race, this pass awarded Cindric the transfer spot. Because Dillon was no longer the top finisher, and Cindric had posted a faster qualifying time, Dillon had just missed out.
Cindric will start 39th for the 2021 Daytona 500, but he's shown incredible skill in the Xfinity series, and his team and his pace mean he'll be one to watch. Not to mention Daytona's unpredictable nature.
As always, thanks go to:
@Noobiix007 for his tires, and help and advice
@DomGTR for his updated updated grille and headlights
and of course @NeverKrash and the rest of the RSS crew, who are always working with the fastest network.
