Cindric's last lap pass nets wild Talladega win over Preece

Cindric Triumphs in Last-Lap Thriller at Talladega

Austin Cindric secured a dramatic victory at the Jack Link’s 500, clinching his first win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The Team Penske driver edged out Ryan Preece by just 0.022 seconds in a nail-biting finish at Talladega Superspeedway, with both drivers exchanging leads multiple times in the closing laps.

Cindric’s No. 2 Ford showcased remarkable performance, especially during a pivotal pit stop that brought him back into contention with 17 laps remaining. "I’m just so proud of this team from the pit cycles to the fast cars to the fuel-only stops," Cindric commented post-race, acknowledging the significant teamwork involved.

The race featured an impressive total of 67 lead changes among 23 drivers, highlighting the competitive nature of the event. Cindric faced stiff competition from Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron, who finished third and fourth respectively. Larson, who led early and secured a stage win, noted the challenge of navigating lapped traffic, which added complexity to the final laps.

“I wanted to take it, but just felt like the gap was too big,” Larson stated. “It kept the lanes kind of jammed up.”

Preece, who finished just shy of victory, expressed mixed emotions about his performance. “I’m happy, but as a racer, you want to win,” he said, remarking on the aggressive racing strategy employed throughout the race.

The event was notably calmer than previous Talladega races, with only four caution flags, including scheduled breaks. However, heartbreak loomed for Cindric’s teammate Ryan Blaney and RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski, both of whom were involved in a significant incident on lap 43, resulting in a disappointing 39th and 38th place finish, respectively.

Blaney reflected on his fourth DNF of the season, expressing frustration at the unfortunate timing: “Just when we were kind of getting our momentum, and didn’t even get to race today.”

Kyle Busch, who collided with Keselowski during the incident, echoed the challenges faced by drivers during the race. Meanwhile, Byron retained his lead in the championship standings, now 32 points ahead of Larson, with Denny Hamlin falling to third.

The NASCAR Cup Series now prepares for its next event at Texas Motor Speedway for the Wurth 400. Cindric’s victory marks the 10th different winner in the last 10 races at Talladega, underscoring the unpredictable excitement of the series.