Austin Cindric's Kansas Runner-Up Finish Fuels Chase Standings Climb

Austin Cindric is suddenly a factor in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship fight. His runner-up finish at Kansas Speedway on Sunday was the catalyst for a dramatic climb in the playoff standings, moving the Team Penske driver from 15th to 8th place with just four races remaining.

Cindric’s second-place finish at Kansas was a direct product of late-race fortune and solid execution. Chase Briscoe hit the wall while running second in the closing laps, opening the door for Cindric’s No. 2 Ford Mustang to seize the position. He held off Denny Hamlin to secure the spot. The result delivered a massive points haul, essential for his postseason survival. Kyle Larson won the race, his second victory in the first four Chase events, and extended his points lead.

This performance was a stark contrast to his mid-pack struggles earlier in the season. Cindric admitted the difference between racing for position and racing for a championship is significant. "It’s a lot different," Cindric said. "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." The Kansas result proved he can now run with that group.

Despite the surge, Cindric faces a 145-point deficit to Larson. The next challenge is Phoenix Raceway, a track that has recently been a problem. He has failed to finish the last two races there, recording Did Not Finish (DNF) results. "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 bluntly. "It would be a shame if we DNF three races in a row in Phoenix." His ability to reverse that trend is critical to maintaining his top-eight position and championship hopes.

He recognizes the season is winding down quickly. "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," Cindric reflected. The human part of him finds it wild, but the competitor sees four races as a real opportunity.

Away from the track, Cindric reacted to the news that Brad Keselowski will leave RFK Racing after the 2026 season. Cindric told Claire Lang on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he learned about the split the same way fans did. "My reaction was probably along with most of you all," he said.

The news carries personal weight for Cindric. Keselowski gave him his NASCAR start, putting him in a Truck Series ride at Martinsville in 2015. Cindric later won his first Truck race for Brad Keselowski Racing in 2017. When Keselowski left Team Penske in 2022, Cindric took over the iconic No. 2 Cup car. He noted Keselowski’s own comments suggest the veteran isn't done driving. "Obviously, he said he's not done racing," Cindric observed, leaving the future open.

• Standings Surge: Cindric jumped seven spots, from 15th to 8th, after his Kansas result.
• Phoenix Problem: He has DNF'd in his last two starts at the upcoming Phoenix track.
• Point Deficit: He trails leader Kyle Larson by 145 points with four races to go.
• Career Link: His NASCAR career began with a Truck Series start for Brad Keselowski in 2015.