Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race at Talladega led to a dramatic, however clear picture end. Austin Cindric and Ryan Preece drag-raced to the road with a pair of Hendrick automobiles pushing them, nevertheless it was Cindric who edged forward on the end line in an exhilarating picture end. The Ford driver additionally had the assistance of a draft from two lapped automobiles on the within line, proper in entrance of him.
“I am simply so pleased with this crew,” stated an excited Cindric. “From the cycles to the quick automobiles to the fuel-only stops. Doug — my spotter, everyone. I have been attempting for 3, 4 years now to get a Cup win for John Menard and Menard’s. That vivid yellow automotive seems to be good out entrance. I am simply so grateful for everybody’s assist. The Ford Efficiency, Roush Yates engine package deal at these kind of race tracks are second to none. We speak about in each single certainly one of these conferences why we’ve not gained certainly one of these races. Simply actually pleased with this effort.”
Talking on the run to the end, he stated: “Positively wasn’t straightforward. I give quite a lot of credit score. Kyle [Larson] did quite a bit to handle me, pushing me on the proper occasions within the tri-oval. As mad as I used to be at him after Atlanta (when Larson wrecked Cindric within the battle for the lead), I really feel like we’re good now. That was nice too have a photograph end at Talladega, to have the ability to get into the playoffs, (and to do it) in entrance of this wonderful crowd on a wonderful day in Alabama.”
Watch: Austin Cindric ‘so proud’ to lastly win at Talladega
Cindric now has three wins within the Cup Sequence and, similar to final 12 months, he’s the primary of the three Crew Penske automobiles to succeed in Victory Lane. His different victories on the Cup stage got here at Gateway in 2024 and within the 2022 Daytona 500. Cindric is now the sixth completely different driver to win this 12 months, and he was twenty second within the championship standings earlier than this crucial victory.
Preece and Logano fail post-race inspection
The motive force he beat was RFK Racing’s Preece, who scored a career-best end of second. Regardless of the comparatively clear race, Preece was the one RFK driver left within the working after each of his teammates [Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski] fell out of the occasion attributable to earlier incidents. Preece has by no means gained on the Cup stage in almost 200 begins, however 2025 is shaping as much as be the perfect 12 months of his profession.
Sadly, this career-best effort didn’t stand as Preece was later disqualified after failing post-race inspection. Points have been discovered surrounding the rear spoiler of his automotive, and fellow Ford driver Joey Logano, who initially completed fifth however was additionally disqualified.Â
Austin Cindric, Crew Penske Ford
Photograph by: Logan Riely / Getty Photographs
Kyle Larson gained the opening stage and completed second in what now stands as his finest end result at Talladega. Following the disqualifications of Preece and Logano, William Byron formally completed third, Noah Gragson Noah Gragson fourth, and Chase Elliott fifth. Carson Hocevar, Alex Bowman, Stage 2 winner Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suarez, and Austin Dillon stuffed out the rest of the highest ten.Â
The race was very clear with simply 5 drivers failing to complete and two cautions for on-track incidents. Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney have been eradicated in a crash at pit entry throughout Stage 1, which additionally collected Kyle Busch. Quickly after, Christopher Bell and Chris Buescher wrecked from the lead after a nasty bump on a restart.
Photographs from Talladega – Race
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
Ryan Preece
Austin Cindric
Crew Penske
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