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Austin Cindric lifts up Regan Smith in celebration after Talladega win

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones04/27/25brianjones_93
Austin Cindric (8)
FOX

Austin Cindric was very happy to win the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, as he hugged and lifted FOX Sports NASCAR reporter Regan Smith after the race. This was the first victory of the season for Cindric, who has now clinched a playoff spot.

Austin Cindric won his third Cup Series race on Sunday and his first since June of last year, when he placed first in the Enjoy Illinois 300 at the Gateway Motorsports Park (now called World Wide Technology Raceway). This was also Cindric’s third top-10 finish of the year, placing sixth at Las Vegas and eighth at Daytona.

“I’m just so proud of this team,” Cindric said after Sunday’s race, per Motorsport.com. “From the cycles to the fast cars to the fuel-only stops. Doug — my spotter, everybody. I’ve been trying for three, four years now to get a Cup win for John Menard and Menard’s. That bright yellow car looks good out front. I’m just so thankful for everyone’s support. The Ford Performance, Roush Yates engine package at these types of race tracks are second to none. We talk about in every single one of these meetings why we haven’t won one of these races. Just really proud of this effort.”

Austin Cindric reacts to winning at Talladega

Cindric added, “Definitely wasn’t easy. I give a lot of credit. Kyle [Larson] did a lot to take care of me, pushing me at the right times in the tri-oval. As mad as I was at him after Atlanta (when Larson wrecked Cindric in the battle for the lead), I feel like we’re good now. That was great to have a photo finish at Talladega, to be able to get into the playoffs, (and to do it) in front of this amazing crowd on a beautiful day in Alabama.”

Cindric will now be in the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. He became a full-time Cup Series driver in 2022 and won the Daytona 500 that season. Cindric finished 12th in the standings in 2022 and finished 11th last year. He missed the playoffs in 2023 and finished 24th in the standings.