Cindric Faces High Stakes at Bristol Elimination Race
Bristol, TN – Austin Cindric enters Saturday night’s elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway in a precarious position, often referred to as ‘Bubble Boy’ as he clings to the final transfer spot in the NASCAR playoffs.
Cindric acknowledges the weight of the moment, stating, “My job is still the same… but the emphasis on doing it well is more.” Currently, he sits just 11 points ahead of Austin Dillon from Richard Childress Racing, with an opportunity to solidify his status in the playoffs significantly at Bristol.
“We essentially have to think of it like 10 spots,” Cindric explained. “Losing isn’t out of the question if a problem arises or if another driver has a standout night.” He highlighted the potential threats from competitors like the No. 48 and No. 21 teams, emphasizing the need for a strong performance.
Currently, Cindric is eight points behind Ross Chastain and ten points behind teammate Joey Logano, both of whom occupy safer positions in the playoff grid. Meanwhile, Dillon and Shane van Gisbergen, trailing by 15 points, face tough odds but could point their way into the next round with favorable results.
Cindric stressed the importance of accumulating stage points, stating, “Points in both stages are going to need to be a must for us to really control our destiny.” He qualified in third place, a strong position as he aims to maintain momentum through the race. In contrast, Dillon qualified 23rd and van Gisbergen 28th.
Summarizing his approach, Cindric remarked, “The best defense is a good offense.” With the stakes high, all eyes will be on his performance as the playoff landscape evolves at Bristol.
