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Roger Penske’s Driver Austin Cindric Attributes Darlington Triumph to Underdog Mentality

DARLINGTON, SC – Austin Cindric secured a hard-fought finish at Darlington Raceway in the Cook Out Southern ⁢500, capitalizing on a chaotic⁣ race were teammate Ryan Blaney faced misfortune. cindric’s performance underscores ​a mindset within the Team‌ Penske‌ organization that embraces an underdog approach, particularly at challenging tracks like Darlington.

Cindric’s advancement came amidst a race punctuated by incidents, including a mid-race tangle ⁢that impacted Blaney. The reigning NASCAR champion was‌ spun out on Lap 209 after checking up to avoid‌ contact with Kyle Busch, who had gotten loose, but was then rear-ended by Austin Dillon. The incident forced ‍Blaney to pit for‍ repairs, ultimately resulting in an 18th-place‍ finish after starting 12th.

“There’s less room to work, so I think that’s what makes that ⁢place so difficult, and the two ends being vastly different is definitely ‌a challenge,” Blaney told reporters following the race.

Despite‌ Blaney’s setback, Cindric navigated the race effectively, securing a position ⁤within the top 20. The contrasting‍ fortunes highlight Team Penske’s‌ depth, but also the precarious nature of racing⁣ at⁢ the 1.366-mile oval, frequently enough referred to as “Too Tough to Tame.”‌

Blaney’s finish dropped him to seventh in‍ the playoff standings with a +22 buffer. Cindric’s performance, coupled with Blaney’s resilience, demonstrates the team’s ability to adapt and compete under pressure as the playoffs continue, with the next race scheduled at Gateway and then Talladega in 2025.