Track: Chicagoland Speedway
Race: Overton’s 300
Date: June 30, 2018
No. 12 Menards/Mastercraft Doors Ford Mustang – Austin Cindric
Start: 3rd
Stage 1: 9th
Stage 2: 15th
Finish: 14th
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 199/200
Laps Led: 0
Driver Point Standings (behind leader): 10th (-169)
Notes:
- Austin Cindric started third in Saturday’s Overton’s 300 at Chicagoland Speedway. After pole-sitter Kyle Larson went to the rear of the field for unapproved changes, Cindric moved to the inside pole position for the race’s start.
- Cindric reported early that his Menards/Mastercraft Doors Ford Mustang was too loose especially in traffic. He fell back to the back half of the top-10 before the end of the first stage. Even while struggling with the balance of the car, he managed a ninth-place finish in the first stage.
- At the stage’s conclusion, crew chief Matt Swiderski called for multiple adjustments including wedge, air pressure and tape on the nose to help Cindric’s Ford’s balance for the second stage.
- The 19-year-old series rookie began the second stage and quickly reported that the Menards/Mastercraft Doors Ford Mustang was even looser than the first stage. Cindric fell back to the 15th position, where he finished the second stage. The team opted for major adjustments to begin the third stage.
- On the lap 112 pit stop, the crew made a large track bar adjustment along with air pressure. Unfortunately, the No. 12 crew was hit with an uncontrolled tire penalty forcing the young driver to start from the rear of the field.
- Cindric was happier with the handling of his car to begin the third stage and quickly drove his way back into the top-12. On lap 167, Cindric pitted for a flat right front tire which put him behind once again.
- He rallied back over the final 30 laps to finish 14th. Cindric currently sits 10th in the NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers’ standings.
Quote: “It is a great thing we are sponsored by Menards because we had to get a few kitchen sinks to throw at it a few times today. The guys never gave up all day. I never gave up all day. It is hot. We battled back after the flat tire and probably deserve a top-10 finish but I probably wasn’t prepared for the track conditions. A lot of that is on me. Lack of experience and lack of knowledge. I know better for next time. We will keep moving forward. I think we gain a spot in points, so we will keep digging.”
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
