The recent Talladega race in the NASCAR Playoffs became a focal point of drama, and it wasn’t a good time for Austin Cindric and Joey Logano. Just as the race was approaching its end, a huge crash reshaped the race, with both drivers suddenly finding themselves at the mercy of the 28-car pileup.
For Austin Cindric, who has amassed more points in superspeedway races than any other driver this season, the crash was particularly devastating. He now faces a difficult weekend at the Roval, with the pressure mounting on him to win if he wants to continue in the playoffs. Joey Logano, while slightly better placed, is still 13 points adrift from a safe cutline.
Jeff Gluck, from The Athletic, saw it coming. On The Teardown podcast, he said the following:
“When there’s a big huge head of steam coming behind you, that’s what it is, right? It was a massive wreck, it was a ticking time bomb massive wreck. I don’t blame any of them they were just racing, this is what happens here.”
Talladega is notorious for such incidents, particularly during the high-stakes playoff season where pressure to perform is high.
Jordan Bianchi echoed this:
“Particularly harmful for Austin Cindric and Joey Logano because they were both doing the things they needed to do to move themselves up. Even if they, let’s assume they [wouldn’t have won] the race.
“But stage points they were likely going to finish top-10, top-15 even, they were doing the things they needed to do. Austin Cindric has had the most points this year in superspeedway races.
“Again, he was putting himself in position to be a factor. Logano was doing what he needed to do. It looked very much like a Team Penske race for part of this race.
“And instead of Penske having three guys either in great position or good position to move on to the Round of 8, now they only have Blaney in a good spot. Whereas Logano and Cindric now are on the other side of the cutline.
“Cindric is 29 back, I feel like that’s must-win and Logano is 13 [back], at least that’s manageable.”
With the crash affecting 28 drivers, it left only Ryan Blaney secure in the playoffs.
This massive wreck presented a boon for drivers like Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin who benefited from avoiding the chaos. Meanwhile, Team Penske crumbled in the wreck.
Talladega’s signature unpredictability was on full display last weekend, and it makes this upcoming weekend all the more exciting.
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