Xfinity champ: Cindric thrilled to earn first Monster victory

By Andy Walter
Posted 5/15/21

DOVER — Austin Cindric says he’s always been a big fan of Dover.

And the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver no doubt likes it even more now.

Cindric took the lead and then took control …

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Xfinity champ: Cindric thrilled to earn first Monster victory

Posted

DOVER — Austin Cindric says he’s always been a big fan of Dover.

And the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver no doubt likes it even more now.

Cindric took the lead and then took control over the final 51 laps to post his third victory of the year in the Xfinity Drydene 200 at Dover International Speedway on Saturday afternoon.

The 22-year-old from Columbus, Ohio had the Monster trophy perched next to him as he talked with the media after his first win on the Monster Mile.

“I am not going to let it get too far out of my sight,” Cindric joked. “This is one I have wanted for a really long time.

“I always tell people, especially people that don’t know too much about NASCAR, that if I was to put a second seat in a race car at any track we go to, it would be this place. There is nowhere cooler. Dropping off 20-feet into the corner and committing to full throttle before you can see the exit. ... it is really unforgiving and the track changes a ton.”

For much of the race, though, it looked like Justin Allgaier would be the one going home with the trophy. He led 94 laps, more than anyone else in the event.

But Cindric roared past him with 51 laps left. Josh Berry ended up passing him, too, as Berry took second and Allgaier had to settle for third.

Cindric said the main difference with his car over the last 51 laps was that he was able to get out front and have clean air. He started only 16th in the race.

He also had to avoid a near accident earlier in the day.

“I thought we had a really great race car,” said Cindric. “Clean air was so important and I think you saw that. We didn’t make too many adjustments on that final stop.

“It seems like we were able to make the right adjustments and capitalize the most and execute as a team. Once you get clean air you got to see how fast a car was. I am glad I got to as well.”

Finishing second made it a pretty good day for Berry.

The rookie won the fourth and final $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus of the season. It completed a season sweep of the bonus prize for JR Motorsports after teammate Noah Gragson won the first three $100,000 checks.

Berry also won the second stage and led for 48 laps.

“It could have been one spot better, we were so good today,” Berry said on pit road. “That last run we just fired off too free. Me and Justin got racing each other and the 22 (Cindric) got away. We just weren’t quite as good in that last run as the run before.

“It’s tough. But when you’re in the top-two or three all day, there’s still a lot to be proud of.”

Allgaier tried to keep his third-place finish in perspective. While he didn’t pocket the trophy or the $100,000 check, third wasn’t a bad place to end up.

The only previous Dover winner in the field, Allgaier did win the first stage.

“On a green surface, our car was a good as anybody’s,” said Allgaier, a two-time Dover winner who is the all-time leader in Xfinity Series lead-lap finishes at Dover with 17. “When the track got rubbered in and greasy, the longer the race went on, the more we struggled.”

But Allgaier said he almost didn’t even make the trip to Dover because his wife, Ashley, is expecting a child any day. He actually turned down an offer to drive in today’s Cup race because of the impending birth.

Instead, Berry will drive the No. 77 for Spire Motorsports in today’s race because Justin Haley could not compete due to COVID-19 protocols.

“As disappointing as it was not to go run tomorrow, I thought it was the best decision for myself and my family,” said Allgaier.
The first half of Saturday’s race was caution filled. Only 16 cars ended up on the lead lap.

The race was red flagged on Lap 61 for more than 10 minutes following a big backstretch wreck involving Matt Jaskol, Jesse Little, Matt Mills, and Josh Williams.

Shortly after the race restarted, Dash 4 Cash contender Brandon Jones and Zane Smith wrecked to bring out another caution flag. Of the four Dash 4 Cash contenders, Berry placed second, Allgaier was third, Gragson finished 15th and Jones placed 35th.

But, down the stretch, it was all smooth sailing for Cindric.

Because he loves racing on the Monster Mile so much, he said the biggest disappointment is that there is only going to be one race at Dover every season now instead of two.

“I really wanted to win here so bad,” he said. “I had to not let that desire cloud my judgment today because I knew we had a tough task ahead of us.

“To get the opportunity on the restart and showcase our car in clean air means the world to me. I am very, very excited.”

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