Austin Cindric Flips Script on Intermediate Tracks to Climb Chase Standings

Austin Cindric has transformed his season with a powerful late charge, rocketing from 15th to 8th in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase standings. The driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang has done it by completely reversing his fortunes on the circuit's critical 1.5-mile intermediate tracks, putting himself firmly in the championship conversation with just four races remaining.

For most of 2026, Cindric struggled on the intermediates. His average finish over the first five races at tracks like Las Vegas, Kansas, and Charlotte was a disappointing 19.4. That narrative shattered in late September. At Kansas Speedway on September 27, Cindric finished second. He followed that up with a fourth-place run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last Sunday. Those back-to-back top fives give him a sparkling 3.0 average finish over his last two intermediate starts.

The Kansas performance was particularly dominant. According to Dustin Albino of NASCAR.com, Cindric's No. 2 Ford was planted inside the top five for the entire Hollywood Casino 400. He finished the race with a 3.39 average running position, the best mark of his 181-race Cup Series career. That kind of consistent front-running speed, even without a win, signals a major breakthrough for the team.

Sitting 8th in points, Cindric is 145 markers behind leader Kyle Larson. With only four events left, including the upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway, every position is vital. Cindric acknowledged the pressure during a Ford teleconference. "I think in the scheme of the Chase, four races is still a lot, but in the scheme of we’ve been racing since February, it’s crazy there are only four races left," he said. The competitor in him sees opportunity, but he's acutely aware of the calendar.

Phoenix presents a specific challenge. Cindric admitted his last two outings at the one-mile oval have ended prematurely. "I’ve lacked the ability to finish the race the last two times there, and I expect us to be able to do that this time," Cindric stated. "It would be a shame if we DNF three races in a row in Phoenix." Reversing that trend is absolutely essential for his title hopes.

Away from the track, Cindric reacted to the news that his former mentor, Brad Keselowski, will leave RFK Racing after the 2026 season. Cindric told Claire Lang on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he learned about the split when it was publicly announced on September 29, just like the fans. "My reaction was probably along with most of you all," Cindric said.

He reflected on Keselowski's role in his career. The 2015 Truck Series debut at Martinsville was Keselowski's idea. Cindric later earned his first national series win with Brad Keselowski Racing in 2017. "I have a relationship with Brad, right? Brad gave me my start in the Truck Series," Cindric noted. He expects Keselowski, who has stated he is "nowhere near ready to be done as a driver," to continue racing elsewhere.

• Key Takeaways: Cindric's average finish on 1.5-mile tracks has improved from 19.4 to 3.0 over his last two starts. He gained seven positions in the Chase standings through the first six playoff races. His 3.39 average running position at Kansas was a career best.

Cindric's focus now is singular. He must carry the speed from Kansas and Vegas to Phoenix and beyond. The difference between racing midpack and competing for a title is stark. "It’s a lot different," Cindric explained. "I’d say this time of year maybe it’s not as different, but just given the guys that are up front are the guys that are racing for a championship." After his recent surge, he is now one of those guys.