Cindric was already headed toward the win when title-favourite
Cindric handed contender
“You’d think I’d be nervous this entire weekend, but given how important this race was for me and my team I was happy to be here, happy to be racing for a championship and that mentality has paid off," Cindric said. “I’ve been points racing for the last six weeks and I got to drive my (butt) off for one day.”
Allgaier had taken new tires on the previous pit stop — he and Cindric were on opposite strategies — and Allgaier restarted as the leader. He chose the top lane and Cindric chose to start up there, too, right behind Allgaier.
Cindric had to first wrestle with
Cindric cleared Allgaier and, even though he didn't have to win the race to win the title, he chased down Gragson for extra measure.
It was Cindric's sixth win of the season but first of what had been an underwhelming playoffs. He wasn't as strong as Briscoe during the playoffs but quickly showed Saturday the No. 22
Cindric led 72 laps and was in control until Briscoe's spin. His victory gave Team Penske one championship on the weekend with a shot for one more.
“This thing came to life lap one," said Cindric.
Cindric celebrated by standing atop his
He's the son of Team Penske President
“When I started racing Bandolero and Legends cars I got a lot tougher because I wasn’t very good," Cindric said. “I guess to any kid out there that’s trying to make a career at this, it’s about the hard work you put in. It’s not about where you start, it’s how you figure it out along the way.”
Cindric was the Xfinity Series regular-season champion but Briscoe took control of the title race behind a series-high nine wins this season. He had a good car early but faded and finished ninth. Briscoe, who is moving to Cup next season with
“I’ve got a lot to do to get a lot better here, that’s for dang sure," Briscoe said. “It’s nice to know that I’m going to the Cup Series and all these things, but it sucks to run fourth in the championship after the year that we had, but that’s how it works.”
Allgaier, trying to win his first championship, faded to fifth on older tires in overtime.
Haley, like Cindric, has delayed his move to the Cup Series because of the delay of
Allgaier led a race-high 76 laps and had made his play the pit sequence before the last yellow. He pitted for new tires that time while Cindric stayed on the track. Allgaier was not able to chase down Cindric and needed Cindric to pit to inherit the lead for overtime.
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