Austin Cindric, the driver of the #60 Ford Hall of Fans Ford, drives during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2018, in Darlington, South Carolina. Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Fighting for a spot in the 12-driver NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, Austin Cindric can feel a sense of relief after Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway—he won’t have to drive the No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford in the final two regular-season races.
Cindric was the innocent victim of a tap from Ryan Truex on the second lap of Saturday’s race, and the resulting wreck knocked him out of the event in 40th place. The early exit was Cindric’s fourth DNF in the No. 60 ride he shares with Chase Briscoe and Ty Majeski.
After climbing from the car, Cindric was close to tears.
“I get turned and plug the fence two laps into the race,” Cindric said. “I’m really frustrated about that. I’m frustrated that this is my last race in the 60 car.”
Then again, given the ill-fortune he has endured in the ride, Cindric might consider himself lucky to be driving Team Penske cars as he tries to preserve his 11th-place position in the series standings at Indianapolis and Las Vegas.