Despite securing three top 10 starts in five races this season, Austin Cindric’s performance has been marred by his sole finish better than 22nd, a fourth-place result at Atlanta, leaving him languishing in 21st place in the series standings.
Cindric, piloting the No. 2 Ford, has exhibited speed throughout the season, yet his potential has often been thwarted by race incidents. Accidents at Daytona and Phoenix, along with a setback due to a corded tire at Bristol, have prevented him from showcasing his full capabilities.
The upcoming race at Circuit of the Americas marks the first road course challenge of 2024 for series drivers. It also introduces NASCAR’s new short track/road course aero package, debuted two weeks prior at Phoenix.
Reflecting on recent setbacks, the 25-year-old Cindric views the COTA race as an opportunity to reset. “The last couple of weeks have been pretty funky,” he remarked. “I’m kind of excited to just get back going and hopefully a lot of green flag running.”
Despite lacking a Cup series road race victory, Cindric boasts extensive road racing experience from his time in sports cars, clinching six road course wins in NASCAR’s Xfinity and Trucks series. While COTA isn’t his preferred track, he acknowledges its competitiveness and aims to capitalize on his past successes.
Looking ahead to COTA, Cindric emphasizes the track’s diverse challenges. “I think it has everything,” he explained, citing its mix of high-speed and low-speed corners, braking zones, and tire wear. Despite recent uncertainties, he remains optimistic about his team’s prospects, hoping for a clean race to showcase their true potential.